Henry "Rusty" Scates - Manager of the Wine Division & Bar Catering, Bristol Group

Posted by Tonia Ferguson 
on Apr 09, 2015
 
Members and guests of the Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise were happy to welcome Mr. Henry "Rusty" Scates and engage in a discussion about wines.
 
Mr. Scates was forthcoming in stating that wine consumption is on the rise in the United States and here in the Bahamas.  The Bahamas he stated, "is experiencing a wine culture evolution."  Wine outpaces spirit consumption, and he has witnessed the preference of red wine over white wine.  
 
To the pleasure of many, Mr. Scates indicated that there exists some evidence that the consumption of red wine is beneficial; as the French who are reported to engage in a diet of red wine report the lowest rate of heart diseases. 
 
Entertaining concerns of the use of cork in the sealing of wines, Mr. Scates assured the gathering that the 'screw cap' is the most efficient, but also noted that top class preference is the cork as the product needs oxidation and the cork allows this process.  However, the cork should be of the very best quality.
 
Mr. Scates currently holds the position of Wine Division and Bar Catering for the Bristol Group.  He entered the wine and spirits business in 1993 and trained in wine under Grahame Martin who was Wine Director for Wholesale Wines Spirits at the time. He has traveled extensively through France and Italy with Grahame as part of the training programme.  Mr. Scates holds the Certificate and Higher Certificate in Wines and Spirits from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. In 2000 Mr. Scates joined Bristol Wines and Spirits as Wine Manager and helped to build the extensive wine portfolio that Bristol now has.  Has been associated with the Annual Bahamas National Trust Wine and Art Festival and with Festival Noel Wine Tasting in Freeport for many years.  He has visited numerous vineyards in California, Chile, France, and Italy, and his favorite wine producing area is the Beaujolais region in southern Burgundy in France.  He conducts wine training courses for Bristol both in-house and for restaurant staff.