John Szabo, MS

Master Sommelier John Szabo was the first Canadian to add the “MS” after his name in 2004, and he holds the international Wine & Spirits Education Trust Diploma with honors as well as the Canadian Sommelier Guild diploma. He’s principal critic for WineAlign, Canada’s premiere wine resource, and co-host and producer of the podcast Wine Thieves with a global following in the trade. He contributes frequently to many international trade and consumer publications, including Canada’s 100 Best, Grapevine, and Expeditr. Most recently, he joined the Barrel Hunter Club, a virtual epicurean community, as curator-in-chief, ensuring that members have access to the finest products and tasting experiences.

Books by John include the critically acclaimed Volcanic Wines: Salt Grit and Power, and on the same theme, he co-founded of Volcanic Wines International, an annual conference and volcanic wine awards held in New York City dedicated to celebrating wines grown on volcanic soils worldwide.

On the consulting side, John has built dozens of wine programs across Canada, from small neighborhood bistros to large restaurant groups and operations like the National Arts Center, Terroni Group, Terminal 1 at Pearson International and Accor/Fairmont/Sofitel Hotels. He has hosted events and provided expertise for countless financial institutions, law firms and corporations over the years, and continues to educate through the Court of Master Sommeliers and delivering masterclasses on behalf of a long list of regional winery association.

Over his quarter century in the wine business, John has travelled to virtually every wine producing country on earth in pursuit of fine wine and fascinating stories, many several times. When he’s not travelling, tasting or writing, you’ll find him tending to his own regenerative organic field blend vineyard and orchard in Prince Edward County, Ontario, where theory becomes practice.

Instagram @johnszaboms