Mr. Thomas Belelieu

Thomas Belelieu, managing director of the Whitehall Hotel, noted that the movie Sideways commercialized Merlot.
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Merlot continues to outsell Cabernet Sauvignon, according to Thomas Belelieu, managing director of the 222-room Whitehall Hotel in Chicago, which contains one bar and one restaurant.He admitted, though, that "the movie commercialized Merlot" and hence probably damaged the grape's reputation.
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"Merlot helped people pull out from White Zin," said Belelieu.
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Belelieu also thinks that Merlot can shine in both blends and single varietals.It is a "nice, smooth and easy approach to red wine that is easily adaptable to different regions and locations," he said.

Indeed we are seeing some great 100 percent or primarily Merlot-based wines from Chile as well as heavy-hitting wines from southern Tuscany's coastal Maremma region.Although, I have to admit, in a recent press trip to Tuscany with Thompson International Marketing, I found Cabernet Sauvignon a better partner to Sangiovese in many of the bold, intense Maremma blends.

Merlot is not only approachable and young, but tends to age graciously and more rapidly than many other grapes.In a market that rarely has the time or inclination to cellar wines, that's a boon for both the trade and consumers."We don't have time to age things 20 to 30 years," said Belelieu.

Thomas Belelieu, General Manager, The Whitehall Hotel

Thomas Belelieu, general manager of the Whitehall Hotel, says an increase in the minimum wage won't hurt his business.

Maids, dishwashers and other traditionally low-paid employees earn well abovethe minimum wage, Mr. Belelieu says, adding that higher wages improve morale, reduce turnover and ultimately save money in areas like employee training.

"Very often, I don't think people compute what it costs to train people withturnover," he says.

Thomas Belelieu, general manager of the Whitehall Hotel, says an increase in the minimum wage won't hurt his business.

Maids, dishwashers and other traditionally low-paid employees earn well above the minimum wage, Mr. Belelieu says, adding that higher wages improve morale, reduce turnover and ultimately save money in areas like employee training.

"Very often, I don't think people compute what it costs to train people with turnover," he says."I look at the costs involved, and I want to hold on to staff wherever possible."

Thomas Belelieu, general manager of the Whitehall Hotel, says an increase in the minimum wage won't hurt his business.

Maids, dishwashers and other traditionally low-paid employees earn well above the minimum wage, Mr. Belelieu says, adding that higher wages improve morale, reduce turnover and ultimately save money in areas like employee training.

"Very often, I don't think people compute what it costs to train people with turnover," he says.

Thomas Belelieu
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Thomas Belelieu General Manager, Whitehall Hotel — a Chicago Landmark & Tradition

The determination of learning more about wines and making friendship with winemakers devoted Thomas' time to wine studies during his hotel and restaurant management classes in Switzerland. Soon, he passed a vigorous test and was admitted to the Sommelier Society in Switzerland. Thomas immigrated to Canada in the early seventies.

Thomas ardently lobbied various colleges and institutions — along with the Ontario Government — for wine education. Ultimately he became the Founding Chairman of the Sommelier Guild of Canada, and held that post until 1988. Thomas was instrumental in developing and writing — along with a prestigious group of wine personalities — the Guild's Educational Program and Examination. This examination is still being used in several Hospitality Colleges in Canada.

Thomas introduced a complex wine educational program, and today WALT DISNEY WORLD has over 300 certified sommeliers, the largest concentration in any city or in any company around the world. Thomas was also part of the founding team of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

Today he lives in Chicago. During his five years as General Manager at The Whitehall Hotel, Thomas brought to Chicago The Court of Master Sommeliers' Certificate and Advanced Level Exams various times, along with the Society of Wine Educators' local examinations. The Whitehall Hotel also proudly claims to be the "wine industry hub" of Chicago, as over sixty percent of national and international wine related travelers make it their home away from home there.

Thomas has lectured around the world about wine, including France, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, and certainly North America.

Both Hosmer and hotel manager Thomas Belelieu are certified sommeliers.Their list holds an interesting , if expensive , selection of boutique wines.The Oregon Evolution No. 9 from Sokol Blosser ( $38 ) , a floral , fruit , and spice blend of nine white varietals , is a quirky delight.The sensuous trio of three Valrhona chocolate creations as well as the citrus-apricot tart with blood orange sorbet and candied zest-a final salvo of citrus-ooze major pleasure.