Paula Stanghetta September 21, 2023Have you ever wondered what a wine agent is? Do you currently buy wine from a wine agent? Read on about this and more as we speak with Mark Jacoby of Context Wines, our newest collaborator and upcoming co-host of MP TOURS’ brand new 2024 Piedmont Tour.
Mark Jacoby of Context Wines
Paula: What inspired you to become a wine agent and what in your background prepared you for this profession?
Mark: It really began when I was living in Germany and did a week-long trip through the Mosel Valley. In addition to being wowed by the natural beauty of the area, I was blown away by my visits to some of the top wine producers. Those tastings opened my eyes to the complex world of fine wine and the profound differences that diverse vineyard sites could exhibit when produced by masters. It was thrilling. My field of study was history, which instilled in me a love of the story behind any endeavour. This was something that I was able to adapt to my ever-growing love of wine.
Paula: What do you like most about your profession?
Mark: Probably the most satisfying part of my job is connecting with winemakers whose wines I love. An afternoon visit with a grower can open up a whole world of discussion and exploration, not just of the wines themselves, but the culture, history and personality of both the winemaker and their region.
Paula: What exactly does a wine agent do?
Mark: We act as distributor on behalf of the LCBO. Our job is to create relationships with wine producers and distribute their wines to the local market.
Paula: What are the big challenges you address in your profession?
Mark: Ontario has its fair share of regulatory peculiarities, which can certainly be challenging.
Paula: How do you select your wines/vineyards?
Mark: The selection is a labour of love. I endeavour to work with growers who produce wines I love to drink myself and whose growing regions speak to me. It has never been about selecting categories or filling sales gaps, but rather an ongoing search for wines that resonate with me. I simply could not do it any other way.
Paula: What is your favourite wine? in your portfolio, which wine would you say is a hidden gem/most unusual?
Mark: Every wine in my portfolio was selected by me and reflects my personal taste. But, I have always been drawn to the wines of the Langhe in northwest Italy. It is there that Nebbiolo arguably reaches its pinnacle, resulting in wines of unmatched finesse, beauty, and elegance. The great wines of Barbaresco and Barolo are some of the finest in the world. A great hidden gem is Langhe Nebbiolo. This humble wine can offer a glimpse into the magic that the greatest Barbarescos and Barolos can offer, at a fraction of the price and with a much earlier drinking window.
Paula: What does it take to be a top-notch wine agent?
Mark: Like all things worth doing, it requires hard work, patience and persistence. A more peculiar requirement is confidence in your own palate and a keen eye for recognizing what the next great wine regions could be.
Paula: What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming vendemmia (meaning vintage and/or harvest)?
Mark: I always look forward to the arrival of the new vintages so that I can share them with my customers.
Thank You!
I want to thank Mark Jacoby of Context Wines for illuminating the role of a wine agent and sharing his personal approach to wine selection. I’m always fascinated by the inspirations that fuel someone’s path in life. Mark is a great example of how travel, storytelling, and curiosity can combine into a fulfilling career. I’m so looking forward to learning more about the wines of Piedmont when we travel there with our group in May 2024.
