The Reluctant Somm, is your ultimate podcast for wine, restaurants, and industry stories. We aim to break down the walls and make conversations about quality wine and food more accessible.
All content for The Reluctant Somm: Wine & Hospitality Podcast is the property of Christopher Truitt and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
The Reluctant Somm, is your ultimate podcast for wine, restaurants, and industry stories. We aim to break down the walls and make conversations about quality wine and food more accessible.
The Author & The Sommelier: Defining Wine in the Modern Era
The Reluctant Somm: Wine & Hospitality Podcast
1 hour 15 minutes 38 seconds
2 months ago
The Author & The Sommelier: Defining Wine in the Modern Era
In this episode, I sit down with the passionate Zoltan Csaba Nagy, a renowned Sommelier and the author of the award-winning book Wine Queens. He is also a judge for Spain's highly respected annual "100 Best Wine of the Year" guide. Now the General Manager of the Palo Alto restaurant, Macarena, Zoltan shares his captivating story—from his eye-opening "aha moment" at a tiny, family-run winery in Spain to a decorated career in Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe.
Zoltan pulls back the curtain on his remarkable journey, sharing his philosophy on authenticity and his mission to make wine an accessible, joyful experience.
In this episode, we explore:
A Different Wine Philosophy: Zoltan discusses the personal, family-driven culture of Spanish wineries and how it compares to other global regions he has visited.
The Power of Connection: Zoltan's belief that wine is about community, not just scores and price tags, and why authentic relationships with small producers are key to a great wine list.
Beyond the Restaurant: His career as a celebrated international wine judge and author.
A Taste of Spain: What makes Macarena's authentic approach, from the tableside carved jamón to their unique sherry program, a hit with guests.
Connect with Zoltan and Macarena: @zoltancsaba
Macarena Restaurant: @macarena.group
Zoltan's book, Wine Queens (Reinas de Copas)
Want more from The Reluctant Somm? 🍷
Free Wine Community Resources: https://www.thereluctantsomm.com/comm... Follow us on Instagram: @thereluctantsomm
#TheReluctantSomm #WinePodcast #Sommelier #SpanishWine #Macarena #PaloAlto #WineLover #WineCulture #Podcast #wine
The Reluctant Somm: Wine & Hospitality Podcast
The Reluctant Somm, is your ultimate podcast for wine, restaurants, and industry stories. We aim to break down the walls and make conversations about quality wine and food more accessible.
