Adam Michocki #199
Discovering Unique Wines from Emerging Regions in Poland
Adam Michocki has spent years observing, being passionate about, and loving wine, which led him to discover talented winemakers in the heart of Europe. Surprisingly, he began his journey by exploring emerging wine regions based in Poland, where modern winemaking technologies and climate change have created a perfect environment for producing unique and diverse wines. Adam’s wine portfolio features exotic flavors that are not commonly found elsewhere, and he is eager to share them with others to add an original touch to their business and help it grow.
From WSET Diploma to ASI Diploma: A Sommelier's Journey
In 2016, Adam moved to London to start a WSET Diploma and developed a love for the sommelier world, beginning his journey with the Court of Master Sommeliers. He has recently passed the Advanced exam and the ASI Diploma with one of the three highest scores last year. Having worked as a Head Sommelier in Michelin starred restaurants, he actively shares his knowledge and experience with anyone who needs it, even if they are not a client of Central Wines.
Promoting Central European Wines with a Focus on Polish Wines
Adam actively promotes wines from Central Europe, with a particular focus on Polish wines. He organizes tastings and supper clubs at least once a month throughout the UK to showcase these wines to a wider audience and to meet with people and share the stories of small, family-run wineries. So far, he has worked with many 1, 2, and 3 Michelin starred restaurants across the UK, which he feels is proof of the high quality of these wines.
Reviews
Adam is so passionate about Polish wines you can’t help but be swept away with his enthusiasm. His background as a Sommelier has given him the experience to import great quality wines from Poland and made these wines accessible for bars and restaurants. Adam continuously hosts tastings and events to increase awareness in the UK, and has taken the team and myself to Poland to visit the wineries. I have forged a good relationship with Adam and continue to look forward to working with him in the future.
Adam first approached me about 18 months ago and since then have come to consider him an important mentor and friend.
I was very unfamiliar with the wines of Central Europe when I first tasted with him, but as I’m sure many of his customers will agree, I was completely blown away by Polish wines. The diversity of style, talented winemaking and altogether astounding quality of the wines we tasted left a lasting impression.
Since then, I have been buying wines from him for the restaurant quite regularly. Our menu served local and sustainable ingredients and our desserts in particular pair very well with the off-dry/residual sugar styles from producers like Winnie’s Silesian and Winnica Turnau. They are a breath of fresh air on our menu; my guests very often note that they didn’t even know Poland was a wine-producing country. I’ve very gladly recommended his wines to close friends of mine in the industry- mostly notably Sommelier Vanessa Stolz at Pine.
I was very fortunate to be invited on a wine tour of Poland, graciously hosted by Adam. To be able to meet and tour with the winemakers whose wines I serve in Stockport gives so much clarity and context for the way we use them on our wine pairing at WTLGI.
I know that if I ever have difficulty with a wine/food pairing I can get in touch with Adam for sound and well educated suggestions. I hope our professional relationship continues for years to come.
I first met Adam when he came to our restaurant in Sheffield to showcase Central Wines portfolio of Polish Wines.
The wines Adam showed that day were fantastic and the knowledge he passed onto the team about then was brilliant. From this we were able to list these wines both on our main list and tasting menu and with the training he provided they have sold well and gain repeat orders from regular guests.
Adam has continued to grow his portfolio and from this has become a regular supplier of both our restaurant in Sheffield and our hotel in Derbyshire and continues to pass knowledge of these to our team.
Outside of this professional relationship Adam also makes time to study with myself and my sommeliers helping to advance both knowledge and blind tasting abilities. Adam also kindly arranged a trip to the wineries earlier this year taking one of our young sommeliers on his first ever wine tour which he will remember forever!
Adam has introduced us to a whole new world of wine, Polish wines are not something I had ever considered by the knowledge he has to find the best has made them a staple on our lists!