Georges dos Santos is a well renowned character always to be found at dinners or gastronomic events with a bottle of wine in hand, his nose in a glass or swirling the wine before taking a sip.
This Frenchman from Portuguese parentage is more than a sommelier. He creates sensations, collects wine and is a true master of ceremonies where wine takes centre stage.
Professionally speaking, Georges dos Santos is also a cavista a term used in France for a wine seller who has a cellar and stores them. In this particular case, in his shop in Lyon, he stores, collects and sells wine.
This Frenchman not only holds the largest port wine collection in France but also has the “10th largest collection” of portuguese wine in the world. He also confesses to having other “high-quality” wines including Madeira wine. In total he has 143 types of wine
He collects wines from all around the world. Georges dos Santos speciality is old wines, that is why his shop is named “Antic Wine Shop”. It is possible to find “wines from the XVIII and XIX century there originating from 16 countries. All in all they total circa 4800 references in a stock which is worth 1 million euros.”
It is with these nectars that emotions are created. He has named himself “Flying Sommelier” because “I have travelled the world for 5 years.” Nowadays it is still no different.In the space of a few days he can travel to Switzerland, Paris, Budapest, Porto, Prague, Berlin or even Madeira where he has been associated to the gastronomic festival of the Route of the Stars, organized by the Porto Bay group.
His universe of clients is comprised of wine lovers, collectors, people who look for a quality wine tasting experience and unique gastronomic experiences. “We have all sort of clients and work with about 60 Michelin stars. For the last 4 years we have been the sommelier for the world’s largest dinner with Michelin stars, the Bocuse D'Ór, which includes 230 Michelin stars.
His participation in these events adds a touch of alchemy. Georges dos Santos wine selection ranges from that which is currently on the market to rare wines that are hard to find.” I put on dinners around the world that range from 30 euros to two or three thousand euros per person themed on wines that are hard to find from countries such as Portugal, France, Germany, Austria, Chile, and so on... it is about the cultural opportunity of having a fantastic wine at least once in your lifetime without looking at its price.”
When he buys an old wine he knows it can be a risky business: it's like going to a restaurant and not knowing whether you are going to like what is on the menu. Then again, that’s what customers look for. “Some people with whom you share a bottle of wine are culturally prepared for the experience. They have previously tasted this type of wine, enjoyed it, understood it and have an idea what to expect from it and therefore will accept that it is old and has faults: weak aromas, old, pieces of cork, dust. Some people like it, some don't.”
At his wine bar anyone can taste a Portuguese wine priced from €5 onwards or French from €10. However you can also find bottles priced at 23 thousand euros. For Georges dos Santos these “are out of the ordinary priced wines with a particular cultural value. It's not just about the price, the cultural value is also important.”
But anyone can have these types of wine. “My reputation is due to my important stock of old wines and there is always an opportunity to open a bottle of wine of the year of birth of the person that comes to the store.”
The collection began in 1983: “At the age of 13 I already bought wine.” Initially he simply stored the bottles at home, never thinking of where life would lead him.” I still have Madeira Wine bottles in stock, in Porto, all over the place. But I have always bought a lot of wine.”
He left school at the age of 15 and decided to become a cook. He took on several jobs and worked in Australia, America, Germany, Italy, Span, South Africa and New Zealand : “I was lucky enough to have the chance of travelling around the world for five years. Then I went to England for 3 years and have currently been at my shop for 12 years though I travel two to three times per month.”
His Madeira Wine collection isn't his largest as this type wine is increasingly sought after. “Old Madeira Wine is hard to get a hold of and therefore stock replacement is also difficult.”
His word of advice for the Portuguese wine sellers is to bet on marketing as portuguese wines are “of great quality.” They convey a great notion of terroir, production as they are produced in small quantities.” But “when the Portuguese takes the initiative to sell the way, the Spanish or Italian has already acted on their “Aggressive Marketing”.
