THE STORY

ITALIAN

FRENCH

It all unknowingly began with my grandfather's cellar, called during childhood "the forbidden place." A place that in my child's imagination hid who knows what secret. Perhaps it was the wine that was the keeper of the secret, because my grandfather treated it with care and respect and aged it in that calm place, where it seemed time had stopped. Some years later, during a language stay in Valais, the most important wine region of Switzerland, a passion was born in me that encouraged and pushed me to deepen my education on wine.

Today, after much study, work and competitions, I am part of the select group of 6 Sommeliers in the world to have won both the title of Best Sommelier of Europe (in 2010) and that of Best Sommelier of the World (in 2013).

After this last competition my career took an important turn, intense, full of commitments and opportunities, which allowed me to diversify my scope and to be active as a consultant, teacher, merchant and above all, wine producer.

This last one was the greatest opportunity, which convinced me to stay in Ticino to continue my passion and get closer to production. This choice is partly due to the location where I live, Ligornetto, one of the wine villages of Canton Ticino and partly to the desire to live wine in all its aspects, from production to consumption through a professional activity on multiple fronts.

As a consultant since 2014 I select wines for the airline Air France, which obtained in 2018 and 2019 the coveted recognition of "Best Airline Wine List of the World".

In addition to consulting, I organize and animate masterclasses, tastings, seminars and events dedicated to wine.
As a teacher I train future managers of the luxury hotel sector at the Glion Institute of Higher Education in Montreux.

My company, Paolo Basso Wine, based in Lugano, is active in the wine trade. Through the online wine shop you have the opportunity to purchase my four wines, as well as those of other producers that I rigorously select, with whom I share a common passion: the constant and continuous search for quality, in all its facets.

These are scrupulous producers, some unknown, others real stars who love their craft and the land they work and who are attentive to environmental respect and sustainability.

Given my experience as a sommelier, these are wines that express themselves wonderfully at the table, where thanks to their refined and deep style, they have the peculiarity of enhancing the food-wine pairing.

If you need advice, I am gladly at your disposal.