Sergio Esposito started drinking wine
at the age of six, after moving to the United States from
Italy. His uncle Aldo would insist that Sergio accompany him
in toasting the end of day with a glass of wine at dinner.
The wine was always from a big green jug that had been stored
in a cupboard next to the range. It was mostly distasteful
and often either oxidized or maderized. Sergio recalls the
flavors to this day, and this first memory recall of wine
has proved to be one of his primary talents in the wine industry.
After years of studying, tasting and
traveling through the great vineyards of Europe and the
US,
Sergio realized that he most enjoys the wines of his native
land and decided to make them his specialty. Sergio conceptualized
the idea of a specialty wine store devoted exclusively
to
collectors and enthusiasts interested in obtaining and learning
about Italy’s best.
As a sommelier, a consultant, a general
manager for top restaurants and the vice president of a specialty
wine shop, Sergio has enjoyed his career in New York City.
Nonetheless, he is most proud of his work as a portfolio manager,
handling the buying needs of wine collectors. His accomplishments
in placing top Italian wines next to first growths and grand
crus in the cellars of important collectors has brought him
recognition as an especially shrewd planner and evaluator
of prized collections.
Wine for Sergio is more than a commodity—it
is a life choice. He says, "I have the best job in the
world. I work every day in an industry that affords me the
opportunity and satisfaction of learning, discovering and
admiring the marvels that Italy's winemakers achieve. I am
grateful to have a job I thoroughly enjoy and a career I believe
in. Whenever I doubt, I take a sip of an Italian wine and
I doubt no more."
Sergio is highly regarded as “the
expert on Italian wines” and has been featured and quoted
many times in dozens of publications including The New York
Times, The Wall Street Journal, Food and Wine Magazine, The
Wine Spectator, Smart Money Magazine and The International
Herald Tribune. Sergio lectures extensively on various Italian
wine topics for both professional and private audiences and
leads the wine program and lecture series that he founded
and coordinates at Italian Wine Merchant’s Studio del
Gusto.
Sergio lives in New York City with
his wife Stephany, their son Salvatore, and daughter Liliana..
