Key Account Manager Jan-Martin Rossi’s courage to embrace new challenges brought him to Norex.
Jan-Martin Rossi is one of Norex’s Key Account Managers and a sommelier. His responsibilities include sales, consulting, and training for clients in the capital region and Pirkanmaa, especially in Tampere. He also has clients in Turku, such as Restaurant Kaskis and Kakolanruusu, as well as Vinho wine bar, which is part of the Star Wine List.
Inspired by a film to become a professional in the world of wine and beverages
Before Norex, Jan-Martin had a long career in the restaurant industry. He worked his way up from waiter to restaurant partner. His path to alcoholic beverages began at a young age, inspired by Tom Cruise’s film Cocktail.
“It made a lasting impression on me. In the movie, people were having a great time, and it showed real bartender charm. Because of this, more than anything, I wanted to learn how to make drinks myself.”
His work in the industry began at the beer restaurant Sir Eino.
“I was really hyped about it, and it felt truly great to work in a restaurant in the evenings. People were in a good mood, and I got to make drinks.”
While working in East Helsinki, Jan-Martin received a surprising new opportunity. The shift manager of the neighboring restaurant La Famiglia mentioned they were looking for a maître d’.
Jan-Martin likes to throw himself into things and isn’t afraid of stepping outside his comfort zone. He boldly went to try working as a maître d’. After returning to the beer restaurant, he realized there would be no going back.
Very little wine was ordered at the beer restaurant, so Jan-Martin’s wine knowledge hadn’t had a chance to develop. This led to an incident that changed the young man’s life.
“A customer came into the restaurant and ordered 24 cl of Malbec. I looked at the shelves and wondered what on earth a Malbec was. I started to panic a bit. The customer pointed out that it was that red wine back there. I felt quite embarrassed and decided that this would never happen again.”
Jan-Martin was true to his word and began studying wines with determination.
After the restaurant industry, Jan-Martin turned his attention to importing. With a growing family, he wanted more regular daytime work.
“I was about to go into a completely different field, but I realized that wines are such a strong part of my identity that I actually got withdrawal symptoms, and my heart pulled me back to this business.”
Before Norex, he worked at another wine importing company.
Norex had become familiar already during his restaurant days from a customer’s perspective.
“When I was a customer, Anssi Lehtinen was in this same role. He was an extremely professional guy. Even then, I had flashes of thought that it would be great to work at Norex.”
Jan-Martin has been working on the Norex team for a year now and is particularly happy. He feels that at Norex, the company’s values and his own values align, and he has also discovered many hidden values within himself through the work.
“It is truly great to stand with such a fine and respected organization as Norex.”
The future is bright
He sees the future as bright, even though the industry has been shaken by the global pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
The COVID-19 pandemic in particular changed the perspective of industry professionals and consumers on restaurant operations. Although restaurant visits have decreased, the average purchase value has increased. According to Jan-Martin, the new generation of consumers is willing to buy less but pay for quality beer or top-quality wine.
The origin of products and producers’ values are also increasingly important to customers.
“A few years ago, organic farming wasn’t a value in the same way it is today. It was new and exotic, but today it’s something that customers ask for.”
According to Jan-Martin, Finland has top professionals in the industry, and there will be even more of them in the future.
“I see that the future is in good hands, and I’m curious to see what it all brings, but the last couple of years have shown that the world is full of surprises and anything can happen.”
Jan-Martin’s wine recommendations for the Easter table
As Easter approaches, Jan-Martin also recommends a slightly more casual Barbera-based red wine for the festive table, which pairs especially well with lamb.
For white wine lovers, Riesling is a perennial favorite. German white wines from the Rheingau region particularly appeal to Jan-Martin. Barth Fructus from Norex’s own selection, which has a small amount of residual sugar, is one of his favorites.
It’s difficult for Jan-Martin to choose one favorite wine, but year-round favorites are definitely sparkling wines, especially champagnes.
“Champagne fascinates me a lot. There is so much history involved!”
Other favorites also include red wines from the Nebbiolo variety.
“I get excited about so many things. Red wine is simply just good!”