Nicolas Vallet
Sommelier
The Palace - The Old Town
As sommelier, Nicolas is responsible for sourcing wine for the entire hotel including the Thai restaurant Thiptara, Argentinean restaurant Asado - which boasts one of the Middle East’s largest selection of Argintinean wines - and Ewaan.
He ensures that guests are able to find a wine within their budget and which complements the food they have while also fitting their personal taste preferences.
Nicolas also works closely with the kitchen staff to ensure there is a significant wine list in each outlet complementing the menu and the various ingredients used.
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Nicolas has introduced several innovative ideas that have helped strengthen the wine business of the hotel most significant of which is the wine Drop Stop, which
also acts as a guest give-away.
The Drop Stop is an ingenious disc which is rolled up in the neck of the wine bottle for fail-proof pouring.
A branded disc is offered to the guest in a customized envelope along with a personal message from Nicolas, reminding the guest of the wine they have consumed that evening in case they try to source it again.
Nicolas’ personal qualities which shine through when he is
conducting his job are passion for wine and people, customer service skills, team leadership skills and the important art of teaching.
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Oct 20, 2009 , South Africa
As a young waitress in a South African French Restaurant, Nicolas thought me more about wines than a could learn anywhere else. He awakened a passion for wine in me that is still alive. I still think he's the best by far!
Oct 9, 2009 , France
I'm proud and happy like every brother could be that Nicolas is so close to be the first Sommelier in the middle east. But if I say that I'm also a Sommelier, that makes me be 100 times more proud of him. Vas y minot c'est toi qui va l'avoir le titre... Toute la Famille est avec toi!!! On devra o...