Sommelier Spotlight: Christopher Fulsom

Behind every great restaurant is an incredible sommelier. Responsible for the sourcing and serving of strategically selected wines, they ensure each guest’s experience is matched with the best pairing possible.

Here at Auberge du Pommier, Christopher Fulsom is the dedicated expert behind our French restaurant’s wine selections. Merging French classics with the occasional choice from Italy or California, he leans on his 15 years of experience to keep our wine list in tip-top shape. Embark on a journey through French wine and cuisine with us during this sommelier spotlight!

An intro to the world of wine

Christopher’s journey began in Montréal, where he perused and purchased the Windows on the World Complete Wine Course by Kevin Zraly. “This course exponentially increased my appreciation of wine, and consequently, my appreciation for tasting food,” he says.

As he discovered his newfound passion, he decided to change careers and move to Niagara, Ontario to pursue an education in wine. He graduated with a Wine Business Management certificate, then started working from the ground up in winery retail and serving roles.

“In these jobs, I was surrounded by so many talented wine people and sommeliers,” he recalls. “It inspired me to take WSET II and III and two sommelier certifications.” The WSET II and III provide in-depth knowledge about various regions, styles of wine, and how to describe them with confidence. 

As Christopher’s knowledge of wine grew, exciting opportunities came knocking. He was offered a full-time sommelier role at George in Toronto, which led him to settle in Ontario’s capital city. He stayed in this position for four years and curated a wine list that won a Wine Spectator award — a well-earned nod to his robust knowledge and passion for the industry. 

Following this, Chris worked at a wine agency before beginning his journey at Auberge du Pommier.

Welcome to Auberge du Pommier

Exuding French flair, charm, and refinement, we’ve built our reputation as one of the most renowned fine dining restaurants in North York. 

Providing guests with stellar white glove service since 1987, we’ve worked hard to craft a refined menu and dining experience unlike any other in the city. Featuring traditional French cuisine with North American influences, seasonal ingredients are always in the limelight — and where there’s French food, there must be wine!

In Christopher’s role as sommelier, he delicately balances work on the floor with work behind the scenes.

“As with running any kind of business, there’s lots of administrative work,” he says. “I replenish and replace wines that have sold through, keep the wine list up to date, and source the latest and greatest wines that make sense for our demographic.” A big focus for Christopher is choosing wines that exceed guest expectations. 

It goes without saying that the most exciting part is being out on the floor during service. “I love engaging with guests who want to talk about wine! My goal is always to help guests find the perfect wine for their tastes,” he says. “Another part of my role is to support the team by giving our guests top-notch service and keeping things moving smoothly. I strive to always be engaging when I’m on the floor.”

A focus on French wines

Since we are a French-forward restaurant, it only makes sense for our wine list to reflect this. “French wines are definitely the focus, and they tend to work best with the subtleties of French cuisine,” Christopher explains. “At least 70% of the wines I source are French classics.”

But as with any wine list, his curation is always an evolving work in progress. “Auberge had an excellent selection of French wines when I arrived, and I work hard to contribute to that strength. However, there are also great wines from other established regions to meet our guests’ needs.”

One of his favourites is the Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. It’s a Sangiovese-based wine from Tuscany that appeals to fans of both Old and New World wines alike. According to Christopher, this bottle has an impressive ability to make everyone happy. It provides exceptional quality at an approachable price — a balance that ultimately every guest can appreciate.

A wine for every guest

“When choosing wines to go on our list at Auberge du Pommier, I’m looking for the same thing any buyer would want, which is value,” Christopher shares. “The quality of the wine should at least meet, but ideally exceed, expectations for the price.”

He recalls a recent occasion where he served a revered back-vintage of Château Palmer for around $1,400. Although this price tag might be startling to some, according to Christopher, it was a steal because newer vintages of Château Palmer retail for about $1,000 a bottle! 

Christopher puts great time and care into his selections. “I’ve been fortunate to attend lots of trade events, taste thousands of wines, and have some great wine travels as well,” he says. “I’ll in turn buy wines from producers that I’ve visited in person as my personal touch for the list and to better engage with my guests. I can vouch for their quality and thus I’m proud to list them.” 

An excellent way to get a taste of Christopher’s knowledge of wine pairings is with Auberge du Pommier’s tasting menu. He’s happy to recommend a glass or bottle to enjoy alongside this stunning meal, or better yet, guests can enjoy his hand-selected wine pairings to go with each course. 

Whether guests want to splurge on a vintage or try an approachable bottle of Pinot Noir, Christopher is eager to get to know them and serve the perfect pairing. Providing guests with exceptional service and continual access to the best selection of wines keeps him eager to grow his knowledge and experience as a sommelier.

The future of Auberge’s wine list

“While French wines and cuisine are key to this restaurant, I’m working to slowly expand our Italian and Californian options as well. Ultimately, my goal is for every wine-loving guest to find the style of wine they’re looking for. My greatest satisfaction comes from when my guests are overjoyed with what’s in their glass.”

Christopher is dedicated to keeping our wine offerings fresh, ensuring guests will always find something that satisfies their preferences and perfectly complements their order. Come explore our wine list for yourself and reserve a table today!