Featured User: Weijie Shi (Jay)

Weijie Shi, Jay in short, is from Shanghai, China, and is currently working as head sommelier at Jingcaixuan (晶采轩). He is in charge of the wine programs in all six restaurants, which feature classic Cantonese food mixed with some local style. Being in the industry for less than two years, he knows what he is aiming for at each step of his career: 6 months at Bellagio Shanghai to have a primary idea what hospitality is; 6 months at Hakkasan Shanghai to experience the quick pace working as a Sommelier; and now being a head sommelier helping to launch the new wine program. He was studying chemistry when he was in the US but eventually experienced a huge shift and ended up being a Sommelier thanks to his enormous passion for wine. He sees himself as very lucky and successful during his whole journey so far, but he shares that the challenges are real since it's not easy to maintain a wine program in a Chinese restaurant group for the long run because the background of wine drinking culture is just not quite there yet. Delectable: What sparked your passion for wine? Weijie Shi: Frankly speaking, I don’t know lol. There’s not a particular moment or a wine that sparked my passion for wine. I would say it’s a long and gradual process. I started learning from jug wines, Yellow Tails, and Barefoot out of curiosity, then to $20 range to $100 range Bordeaux Grand Cru Classe, and finally some prestige wines like Burgundy Grand Cru and Napa Cults. Each stage is so fun and dragging me deeper into the world of wine. D: What wine region are you wild about right now? WS: I am currently into Burgundy wines, especially white Burgundy like Meursault and Corton-Charlemagne . It is so fascinating that the acidity, the freshness and the richness can coexist as a harmony in these great wines. D: What is the most unusual wine you’ve ever tried? WS: J’ai Soif Vin Petillant by Jean Francois Ganevat , which is a blend of Pinot Noir , Trousseau , Gamay and Poulsard . D: What is your golden rule for wine? WS: I love wines that are made by hands and enthusiasm. Biodynamic, low production, geeky wines are all in my comfort zone. D: Say you’re not allowed to have wine, what is your second option? WS: Single Malt Whisky , Cognac or Armagnac . D: Choose a movie, book, quote, or song and pair it with a wine WS: Queen with a bottle of 1961 Clair Dau Chambertin-Clos de Beze . Technically speaking, not existing any more for both but still being remembered, respected, honored and shone in most people’s heart. They are two legends that are not possible to replicate. D: If you were a wine, what wine would you be? WS: I will say I would be Barolo or Barbaresco . Quite silent or even hard to approach at the beginning, but as time goes, starts to bloom and shows the potentials and charm. Slow pace is my thing and I love to enjoy the great things in my life leisurely, like enjoying a Barolo/Barbaresco.

Hoddles Creek Estate

1er Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2013

Solid. Could ravel some Burgundy 1er crus — 5 years ago

David, P and 5 others liked this

Schloss Reinhartshausen

Assmannshäuser Spätburgunder 2014

Smoky, meaty mixed with some medicinal notes. Good acidity — 5 years ago

David, Severn and 4 others liked this

Domaine Grosbois

Gabare Chinon Cabernet Franc 2017

Classic Chinon. Black olives, pencil lead, graphite and bell pepper skin. Elevated acidity. Well made! — 5 years ago

P, Hermes and 15 others liked this

Fattoria Poggio di Sotto

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2008

One of the smoothest BdM ever tasted. Very elegant — 5 years ago

David, Severn and 16 others liked this

Willi Haag

Alte Reben Spätlese Trocken Riesling 2017

Amazing QPR — 5 years ago

David, Severn and 3 others liked this

Bonneau du Martray

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay 2005

Epic wine. Great showing of white sesame seeds, tropical fruits and toasted wood. Good acidity. Need decanting for at least 1 hour. Still very young. — 5 years ago

Hermes, P and 9 others liked this
David L

David L Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Great bottle

Hansjörg Rebholz

R Vom Muschelkalk Spätburgunder Spätlese Trocken 2013

Tight and herbal. Quite amount of extraction. Need a lot of breathe. — 5 years ago

Severn, P and 3 others liked this

Weingut Geheimer Rat Dr. Von Bassermann-Jordan

"S" Weisser Burgunder 2015

Vegetal and herbal. Good weight and acidity — 5 years ago

David, Mark and 5 others liked this

Domaine Leflaive

Les Chenes Macon Verze Chardonnay 2017

Right amount of richness and acidity — 5 years ago

Stuart, "Odedi" and 11 others liked this

Domaine Trapet Père & Fils

Alea Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2016

More ready and fruitier than Ostrea. Delicious — 5 years ago

"Odedi", P and 12 others liked this