Taking his spot among some serious heavyweights, Bar Covell's Matthew Kaner has been named among Food and Wine's 2013 Sommeliers of the year, a distinction bestowed on only 11 wine professionals. According to Food and Wine, Kaner won …

Because, instead of handing guests a wine list, he helps them find wines they'll love by asking them a series of questions to ascertain their tastes.

Bar Covell, which opened in Los Feliz in the summer of 2010, is a collaboration between owner Dustin Lancaster and Kaner, who acts as general manager and wine director. (Lancaster is also part owner of L&E Oyster Bar.) Covell has been a neighborhood favorite ever since.

Other sommeliers honored this year include Justin Vann from Oxblood in Houston and Joe Campanale from L'Apicio, L'Artusi, Dell'Anima and Anfora in New York City.

Congrats Matthew, and cheers!

You can read about all the sommeliers of the year here.

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