M'tucci's Sommelier
/I’m Olivia Jordy, the current bar manager at M’tucci’s Twenty-Five. I’m a first level sommelier, certified through the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS), and pursuing my second level of certification. There are four levels of certification for a sommelier through CMS, the highest is a Master Sommelier, with only 279 Master Somms since the program was established in 1969.
What does it mean to be a sommelier? Furthermore, what does it mean to be a young, female sommelier? Sommelier is a French word meaning a wine steward, often referred to as a wine expert or wine professional. I like to joke that I professionally drink wine, and I’ll be the first to admit that I am nowhere near an expert. But to me, one of the most beautiful things about studying wine is that it is a lifelong journey, and occasionally that can feel overwhelming. Once you feel comfortable with a certain wine growing region or wine grape varietal, there are thousands more to memorize and blind taste. One of my favorite quotes is, “if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room”. Discovering my passion for wine has given me direction and opportunity to constantly continue learning. But it would be unrealistic to say studying wine is always easy and rewarding. It can be thought of as a very glamorous job and sommeliers carry the reputation of snobby or pretentious; but the reality is, it’s incredibly hard work. There are always more details to memorize.
Italy alone has close to 2,000 native grape varieties. Within the region of Bordeaux, France, there are 57 appellations (designated wine-growing regions), each with different laws and soil compositions. The reputation of the snobby sommelier exists because it is an exclusive designation. There are only 279 Master Sommeliers in the world, and every first level somm dreams of being the 280th.
Vineyard in Tsucany
Working as a sommelier in a restaurant means translating all of the learned details into approachable information. This entails understanding cohesive wine and food pairings, coordinating and creating menus that are tailored to the cuisine and clientele, and educating both the staff and guests. M’tucci’s is the first place I’ve worked where I was able to create and teach a staff wine education curriculum. Through this, I’ve learned that the reward of sharing my knowledge with others and seeing them learning in return has been the highlight of my wine career so far. The world of wine shouldn’t be so scary or exclusive. It should be vast and inviting.
There is seemingly a new wave of people in the wine world, including young, female sommeliers, that are actively trying to debunk the ‘snobby sommelier’ reputation. I hope that I can contribute to this community of new sommeliers by creating education programs and sharing my experiences. I also hope that I always find myself in rooms surrounded by people smarter than me, teaching me or learning from me.
Editor’s note: The next sommelier level for Liv requires a day-long test, including a blind tasting of 2 of 8 possible white wines and 2 of 12 possible red varietals, list the characteristics, identify the grape, and, if possible, the origins of the wine. In addition there is a 45 question written test.
Weekend Specials
M’tucci’s Italian
Mushroom & Ricotta Ravioli - Crispy Prosciutto, Sage Cream Sauce, Chestnut Mushrooms, Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions, $25
24 oz. T-Bone - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $43
Pan-Seared Barramundi - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Sauce $35
Milk Braised Lamb Shoulder - Creamy Risotto, Mint Gastrique, Peas, Carrots, Red Onions $25
Weekend Cocktail
Ooo, A Pisco Candy - Caravedo Pisco, Muddled Blackberries, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Soda Water
M’tucci’s Moderno
14 oz. Ribeye - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Italian Salsa Verde $43
Pan-Seared Icelandic Cod - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Roasted Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $29
Crispy Chicken & Risotto - Risotto with Carrots, Mushrooms, Celery, Creamy Sauce $23
Weekend Cocktail
Falling SlowNLow, The Old Fashioned Way - Slow N Low Coffee Whiskey, Kahlua Blonde, Espresso, Chocolate Bitters, Simple Syrup, Soft Top Float
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
Wild Mushroom Ravioli - Mushroom Ravioli, Creamy Porcini Sauce, Toasted Pistachio Gremolata, Calabrian Roasted Mushrooms, Roasted Corn, Peppers, Pecorino $22
Pan-Seared Swordfish - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Zucchini, Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $36
24 oz. Porterhouse - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Creamy Horseradish Remoulade $43
Weekend Cocktail
Cask Tale - Campari Cask Tales Rum, PiggyBack Bourbon, Meletti, 1757 Vermouth, Soda Water
M’tucci’s Bar Roma
Pan-Seared Black Cod "Sable" - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Capers, Roasted Artichokes, Lemon Butter Sauce $39
Housemade Chianina Beef & Prosciutto Sausage Links - Lentil Hummus, Beech Mushrooms, Fresh Herb Brodo $27
Weekend Cocktail
C’old Fashioned - Espresso Infused Rye Bourbon, Remy Martin Cognac Fine Champagne, Grand Marnier Liqueur, Orange Bitters, Aztec Chocolate Bitters, Simple Syrup
Live Music for October, November & December
M’tucci’s Bar Roma - 6:30pm Wednesday & Noon Sunday
10/27 Eryn Bent
10/30 Myles Chavez
11/3 Gilbert Uribe
11/6 Shane Wallin
11/10 Lani Nash
11/13 Michael Rascon
11/17 Robb Janov
11/20 Cali Shaw
11/24 Shane Wallin
11/27 Myles Chavez
12/1 Michael Rascon
12/4 Shane Wallin
12/8 Lani Nash
12/11 Robb Janov
12/15 Cali Shaw
12/18 Javier Ortega
12/22 Shane Wallin
12/29 RJ Perez
M’tucci’s Moderno - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday
10/25 Robb Janov
10/31 Halloween no Music
11/1 Matt Jones
11/7 Jacob Chavez
11/8 Gilbert Uribe
11/14 Mya Gutierrez
11/15 Michael Rascon
11/21 RJ Perez
11/22 Myles Chavez
11/29 Rob Janov
12/5 Jacob Chavez
12/6 Chris Dracup
12/12 RJ Perez
12/13 Michael Rascon
12/19 Shane Wallin
12/20 Robb Janov
12/26 Gilbert Uribe
12/27 Cali Shaw
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday
10/25 Myles Chavez
10/31 Halloween No music
11/1 Michael Rascon
11/7 Mya Gutierrez
11/8 Chris Dracup
11/14 Shane Wallin
11/15 Rob Janov
11/21 Micheal Rascon
11/22 Cali Shaw
11/29 Matt Jones
12/5 Mya Gutierrez
12/6 RJ Perez
12/12 Shane Wallin
12/13 Robb Janov
12/19 Cali Shaw
12/20 Gilbert Uribe
12/26 Myles Chavez
12/27 Michael Rascon
Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!
