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Sally Spaulding, public relations manager, 970-544-6259
sspaulding@aspensnowmass.com

THE LITTLE NELL ANNOUNCES NEW MASTER SOMMELIER SABATO SAGARIA
Sagaria joins group of elite wine professionals

Aspen, Colorado (May 23, 2012) – Aspen’s finest hotel is proud to announce the addition of a new Master Sommelier to its team. Sabato Sagaria, the director of food and beverage for the hotel, has just received his Master Sommelier Diploma, joining an elite group of 122 top wine professionals in North America.

The Little Nell has had more masters come through its wine program than any other establishment in the country, now with nine masters working or having worked on property. The hotel was proud to host the Master Sommelier Exam in Aspen May 20-23, 2012. The exam, dubbed “the hardest test in the world,” has a pass rate of approximately 10 percent and was being held for the first time in Colorado.  

“I wouldn’t say I had a home field advantage taking the exam here. With the kind and amazing team we have at The Little Nell, I’ve been enjoying their support throughout this entire process, every step of the way,” said Sagaria.

As a Master Sommelier, Sagaria has now achieved the highest distinction afforded in the wine industry by successfully completing an intense examination that requires extreme focus and determination. The overall examination consists of a verbal theory test where other masters ask 150 questions on anything and everything relating to wine, spirits and sake, while a service test expects candidates to correctly address mock service scenarios including wine decanting, Champagne service and pairing different wines with food. Finally the candidate must also blind taste six wines in less than 25 minutes, successfully determining the wine’s origin, grape and vintage.

Fifty candidates sat for the exam at The Little Nell this week, with just four passing. Among the candidates was Little Nell Assistant Wine Director Carlton McCoy, who passed both the tasting and the verbal theory portions of the exam on his first try.

The Little Nell’s Wine Director Jonathan Pullis received his Master Sommelier diploma in 2009. 

The Little Nell is a year-round destination hotel at the foot of Aspen Mountain. For more information and reservations, please call 970-920-4600 or 888-843-6355. Or visit www.thelittlenell.com.

The Court of Master Sommeliers was established in 1977 to encourage improved standards of beverage knowledge and service in hotels and restaurants. There are four examination stages to attain the top qualifications of Master Sommelier. For more information, visit http://www.mastersommeliers.org.