SOMMELIER PROFILE
Joris Beijn

The Dutch sommelier Joris Beijn is Head Sommelier and wine buyer at The Andaz Hotel. Situated in the heart of the City of London, it is one of the most chic and modern hotels in Town. Joris began his career washing dishes in a local restaurant in Rotterdam but it was his promotion to barman that prompted an interest in wine. Whilst working in various restaurants, first as a waiter and then as a junior sommelier, he made time to attend as many tastings as possible; from this a knowledge and passion for wine grew rapidly. Five years ago Joris became head sommelier at top Michelin starred restaurant in The Hague; Seinpost. He has now been in the UK for two and a half years and since then has worked at Gordon Ramsay Holdings as well as The Andaz. Joris has been in his current position for the last nine months and has been a regular attendee of this year’s Wines of Germany Sommelier Breakfast tastings.

Which German wines do you have on your list?
There is a large selection of German wines at Andaz and they come from some of the best wineries in a range of regions. We serve two German wines by the glass - one from Markus Molitor in the Rheingau and one from Hans Wirsching in Franken. Other German wines on the list include a Spätburgunder ‘Cuveé Max’ by Weingut August Kesseler, wines from J.J. Prüm, Egon Müller, Bassermann-Jordan and several from Baron Heyl zu Herrnsheim in Rheinhessen. There is also a great 1992 Albalonga Trockenbeerenauslese Westhofener Steingrube available from Wittmann.

When do you recommend customers to try German wines?
For me food and wine matching is very important. I will use the right wine with the right food and that could be a German, French or a New Zealand wine. In general however, I like to recommend something to the customer that they would not ordinarily think to drink; and that’s when I reach for the German wine. Better a Scheurebe Spätlese Trocken than a Cloudy Bay.

Who supplies your German wines?
I get my German wines from Justerini & Brooks, Genesis Wines Ltd, Boutinot Ltd, John Armit, Novum Wines Ltd and The WineBarn.

Why do you like German Wine? What first got you interested in it?
Seinpost had a fantastic selection of German wine. In Holland German wine is making a real come back, taking 14.2% share of the Dutch wine import market last year. I find that there are so many incredible and different flavours that can be found in just one glass of German wine, particularly those made from Riesling – it is like no other. This is also what makes the wines so good to either drink on their own or pair with a range of different foods.

Have you been to Germany and if so what was the highlight of your trip(s)?
I'm still waiting for an invitation.... I’ve only been to Berlin once but I would very much like to visit the wine regions one day.

[Well, Joris, consider yourself firmly on the list for the 2009 sommelier trip…]

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