Restaurant Guide 2008
Late Vintage
At 29, Truffles sommelier Sara D’Amato already has one of the best palates in town
Image credit: John Cullen
Are dinner guests scared
to bring wine to your house?
Sometimes. Mostly they’re excited
to know what I think of their choices.
You’re only 29 years old.
Are clients ever patronizing?
You don’t know how many times I’ve heard, “I’ve been drinking wine since before you were born!” They’ve usually been drinking the same wines since before I was born.
On average, how many wines
do you taste in a day?
Some days only one; others
I’ll taste up to 200.
Are Canadian wines a tough sell to international clients?
It’s actually easier to sell Canadian wines to international clients than it is to local pessimists. But I always guarantee to take the wine back and replace it with something else if they don’t like it.
What’s the most expensive bottle anyone has ever
ordered at Truffles?
A 1982 Château Mouton Rothschild, for $3,125. I’m almost
sold out of that vintage.
What do you like to drink at home?
Pinot noir, riesling, and I love sparkling wine. Maybe too much!
Where do you shop for wine?
Often at Vintages, but I buy direct from wineries whenever
I visit, and also through private agents.
What would you serve at a party?
Moscato d’asti, a sweet sparkling wine from Italy that’s low
in alcohol. It’s a great aperitif; you could serve it with dessert, and it’s also perfect with cured meats and other salty foods.
What are your must-have wine accessories?
A double-hinged corkscrew, a decanter and good glassware—Riedel or Spiegelau. It’s worth the investment. No fancy gadgets.
What wine would you like to try before you die?
The truth is I’ve already tried a lot of people’s dream wines; since I started here, I’ve tasted Yquem, a vertical of Cheval Blanc and a ’61 Latour. They all lived up to my expectations.
Comments
Comment on this story
Neither the author nor Toronto Life necessarily agree with the comments posted here. Editors will not correct spelling or grammar. Toronto Life reserves the right to edit or delete comments entirely. Read our full policy
Some articles on this site require that you have a Torontolife.com account in order to comment, and this is one of them. If you do not have an account, you can register now.
Related
More Restaurant Guide 2008 Articles
- Go for Broke
- Best for a Quiet Meal
- Best for Brunch
- Born to Eat and Run
- Buzz Worthy
- Din Din
- Eleventh Hour
- Props to the Crops
- Talk to the Hand
- Best New Restaurants: Honourable Mentions
See all Restaurant Guide 2008 articles »