Toru TAKAMATSU M.S.
9th of November 2021
The VIRTUOSO sommelier
You all know Mozart, who was a virtuoso pianist. Please meet Toru Takamatsu M.S., the virtuoso sommelier !
Indeed, his story is truely incredible. At 21 years old, Toru was a barista in Sydney, Australia, when one day, during a meal at the great Felix restaurant, he tasted some really lovely wines. This is what triggered his interest and that was the day he decided to start a career in the wine industry.
Only 3 years later, Toru was crowned with the title of Master Sommelier. He is one of the youngest ever to have the MS title at only 24 years old and is the first ever Japanese Master Sommelier.
Toru is currently working on his winemaking knowledge on the island of Hokkaido in Japan, at the "Domaine Takahiko".
We were se lucky to be able to discuss and ask him few questions. Here are his anwers :
Name : Toru Takamatsu
Nationality : Japanese
Birth year : 1995
Toru, you have been the person that acquired the Master Sommelier status the youngest, at 24. At what age did you decide to start the course?
I decided when I was 21, the year when I left my career as a barista
So, being a Barista at 21 years old, you became Master Sommelier in just 3 years which is so impressive. What helped you to achieve this so fast?
My mentor, work environment and luck!
Did your experience as a barista help you in any way in your journey through wine ?
Not as related, but definitely my palate would have been learning many flavours unconsciously.
What region would you pick for a bottle of your vintage? Champagne
What's for your favorite varietal ? and why?
Chardonnay, Has many different faces
Any varietal you don’t get along well ?
Not that I can remember
What do you drink when you don't have a glass of wine in your hand? Beer!
Let's say you are alone, at home, what's your favorite casual food and wine pairing for dinner?
Manzanilla and Iberico Jamon + Anchoas
What is your favorite wine region, not to drink, but to visit ?
Piedmont
If you had to save one bottle from your cellar being on fire, which one would it be? Armand Rousseau Chambertin
Do you/Did you have a role model/a mentor in the wine/sommelier world? If so, who ?
Yes Yuki Hirose, Piotr Pietras MS, Julia Sewell
Best advice you ever received? Keep calm
Imagine you have been cursed !! You are only able to drink 1 red wine and 1 white wine until your life end. What would it be? Domaine d'Auvenay Chevalier Montrachet, Domaine d'Auvenay Bonnes Mares
You already reached the highest degree in the Sommellerie world. What is your next step/objective in the wine/sommelier industry? Learn how to make it now!
Champagne, Cava or Franciacorta? Champagne
In the city you currently live in, do you have a favorite wine shop for Champagne or other wine categories that you love to go to? Maruyama-ya, Grand Vin Cellars, Wineshop Fujii
Even though we are a Champagne focused platform, would you have any recomandation on a Japanese sparkling wine?
Grace Blanc de Blanc
