The three star –and not only- respectful restaurants always include a member of the personnel that does not justify the size of the monthly pay-check. Such posts improve the restaurant’s prestige. An example of such a position is the water sommelier, a title we meet more and more as time goes by. He is the person in charge of bottled waters; the one that will help choose the best water for each meal.By Panos Georgountzos
In a country like Greece, where just recently did restaurants with wine sommeliers appear, water sommeliers seem to be more than extravagant. Either way it seems that Greeks are not willing to consider drinking water as a luxurious product to pay for (or are they). However, if we did learn some facts about water maybe we would be persuaded. We already have been persuaded that paying for a cup of coffee the amount of €5 is normal (!).
Many wine sommeliers abroad have already started to distinguish differences between spring waters and their brands. Michael Mascha, former wine sommelier in New York, supports that he has isolated the three elements that make each bottle distinctive. Size, bubble quantity, alkalinity or acidity and density. Mr.Mascha’s general rule is that we should choose waters with high density for meals that we would usually have with red wines, and those with low density we would have with meals that would be accompanied by white wines.
Taking all of the above into consideration, let’s take a look at some of the Greek waters we have distinguished.
1. Sariza: Comes from the famous springs of Andros and is considered to have therapeutic qualities. It is diuretic and it is characterized by its acidity.
2. Xino Nero Florinas: Its springs are at Florina. It is a natural sparkling mineral water and has been bottled since 1957. It is considered to be extra digestive and with soft bubbles.
3. Vikos: Comes from the region of Zachoroxoria. It is soft and slightly alkaline, as well as an aid for better digestion. Its special trait is its high density due to the calcium it contains.
4. Souroti: Springs out from the fringes of Mount Kalavros, located in between Thessaloniki and Chalkidiki. It is one of the most mineral-rich waters and with high acidity.
5. Seli: Seli is the only water in Greece that is bottled by natural flow and not by drilling. It is suggested for people following diets poor in sodium as it doesn’t contain any salts.
Source -
www.gourmed.gr
17.07.2008