John Szabo, MS

Master Sommelier John Szabo was the first Canadian to add the “MS” after his name in 2004, and he holds the WSET Diploma with honours. He’s seen the hospitality business from all sides including cooking and washing dishes, serving and sommellerie, importing, teaching, writing, photographing, speaking, emceeing, consulting and judging wine internationally. He was listed as “Canada’s best-known sommelier” in Meininger’s Wine Business International.

Today, John is a partner and principal critic for WineAlign, Canada’s largest wine publication, and buyer for the WineAlign Exchange wine club, as well as columnist at Modalina and MarQuee magazines. Most recently, he joined the team at CellArt as content contributor (words and wine!), a company fusing art and design with function in one-of-a-kind luxury wine cellars. John is co-host of the newly launched podcast Wine Thieves with WineAlign partner Sara d’Amato, and also contributes occasionally to Wine & Spirits Magazine and freelances for publications such as Meininger’s, Wine Enthusiast, Canopy, and VinCe Magazine.

His latest book, Volcanic Wines: Salt, Grit and Power, earned critical acclaim including the André Simon award for best drinks book. On the consulting side, John builds wine programs across Canada, and is currently sourcing wines for Accor/Fairmont/Sofitel Hotels in Québec. He speaks regularly in Canada and internationally and (used to) spend many weeks each year travelling wine country worldwide to keep on top of this fascinating industry.

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