@kimlockhartga @mayintoronto Could’ve used you a few days ago.

At the LCBO we’re of course trained in various alcohols as part of the on-boarding process, but not deeply on any one. And particularly not deeply on wines, I’m guessing due to their huge variety. Four years at the job, and there are varietals mentioned to me that I’ve still never heard of before.

Anyway, last week a polite young guy came in and over to me where I was stocking a shelf and asked if I was a sommelier.
I held back a laugh from WAY not being one, and politely said I wasn’t but I could still try to help him.

He asked what wine would go best with goat cheese.

I immediately told him that yeah, I was going to go get my shift lead to help him with that one.

@Alison @kimlockhartga @mayintoronto Thanks!

I’ve learned a TON more about wine since working there, of course. But at least as much as not has come from my own interest. How’s a Malbec different from a Carmenere isn’t covered by the on-boarding training, but I wanted to know. Stuff like that.

Our product consultant, Steve, is a wealth of wine (and other product) info. He’s forgotten more about wine than I’ll ever know, but always politely and casually talks to people at their level and gives them what they need, even if it’s not what they think they want, and that will often be cheaper than what they thought they’d be spending.
Zero complaints about his suggestions, ever.
When he was transferred to another store, we lost vintage customers because some literally started going to his new branch in order to keep contact with him.
When he got transferred back recently and he started flagging items again with his Steve’s Pick tags, people for weeks were asking me if that was “THE Steve”, and were delighted to hear he was back.
I try to listen in to anything he tells customers to hopefully absorb some of it, but I don’t have a memory for all the details.

@kimlockhartga @Alison @mayintoronto He’s been great. I can always come to him with any wine questions and just like with any customers, he’ll break it down for me in terms he grasps I can follow. Helps me for future customer service.

Every store needs a Steve. 🙂