Tastemaker Series: Jacqueline Doucette’s Curated Journey from Geranium to Playlist
Playlist WineTL;DR
Head sommelier at the world’s #1 restaurant in 2022. Now shaking up Sydney. Meet Jacqueline Doucette, the pop-leaning, wine-loving vibe curator who reminds us that wine is personal, music is powerful, and critics can take a back seat.
From 3 Stars to Free Spirits
Ranked the number 1 restaurant in the world in 2022, Copenhagen’s 3-Michelin-starred Geranium is as big as it gets. So when their Head Sommelier, Jacqueline Doucette, curated a drop for Playlist, we knew we were in for something special.
Jacqueline doesn’t just pour wine. She crafts experiences. She’s instinctive, deeply emotional in her choices, and fueled by curiosity. Now based in Australia with the Merivale Group, she’s bringing that same raw energy to Sydney’s growing scene. We caught up with her to talk music, memory, and why her wine bar playlist is already in the works.
Q&A with Jacqueline Doucette
Matt Friesen (Playlist): You’re a sommelier and a music lover. If you were a wine, what genre would you be?
Jacqueline Doucette: I’d like to say something cool, but honestly? Probably pop. I think I’m pretty likable and unoffensive. Not many people put you on intentionally, but if you’re playing in the background, people go, “Yeah, this is fine.”
MF: Like a pop artist you don’t think you like, but you somehow know all the lyrics.
JD: Exactly. Taylor Swift. Why do I know so many Taylor Swift songs? I've never made an effort to listen to her, yet they’re all in my head.
MF: Ever had a song completely shape a wine moment or vice versa?
JD: Daft Punk Is Playing at My House by LCD Soundsystem. We brought a bottle of Ochota Barrels’ Botanicals of the Basket Range—this weird, herbal red—to a friend’s party in the Danish countryside. Twenty-five of us, eating pork terrine way too fast. That wine was delicious and that song was playing. Now they’re fused together in my brain.
Also: Dave Matthews Band. My mom used to play Under the Table and Dreaming constantly. Every time I hear the snare at the start of Ants Marching, I’m 10 again, riding shotgun with my brother in the backseat.
MF: What’s your “love at first sip” wine?
JD: Taganan Blanco by Envínate. I remember thinking, “Oh, that’s f*cking delicious.” It’s lean and laser-sharp—like skim milk compared to other wines. Complex, reductive, but with beautiful texture. The longer it sat in my glass, the more it opened up. I was hooked.
MF: You’re known for your wine curation. How do you stay sharp?
JD: Curiosity. Talk to people. Read. Taste constantly. Wine can feel scary for people—like if you don’t know it, you might waste your money. So staying open and seeking out new things is everything.
My colleague Andrea and I shared the Head Somm role at Geranium. We’d often search for “archetypes” of wine—flavor, energy, expression—especially from places like South Africa. It’s always a hunt. Always learning.
MF: Even at the top, you’re still in discovery mode.
JD: You have to be. If you think you know everything about wine, you’ve already lost.
MF: Dream scenario: you get to share a bottle with any musician. Who’s the guest and what’s the wine?
JD: John Bonham. I feel like he’d be chaotic but fun. And I’d pour Littorai’s Wendling Vineyard Pinot. One of the first American wines I really loved. It’s comfortable for me—something I can share with confidence. Also, my dad loved Bonham. He used to quiz us in the car: “Who’s the band? Who’s the drummer?”
MF: Three words to describe your wine and music style?
JD: Instinctive. Emotional. Knowledgeable.
MF: You’ve worked in some intense restaurants. How does music shape a dining experience?
JD: Huge. At Geranium, we went through a few phases—playlists that were too fun, too chaotic, or too staff-focused. Eventually we commissioned a 7-hour instrumental mix from Danish band Efterklang. No lyrics. Just a beautiful, ambient thread. Since then? Zero complaints. It’s there, but not overpowering.
My partner and I talk about music constantly. Half our future wine bar plans are about the wine. The other half? The playlist. We already have one on Spotify: Future Wine Bar Songs.
MF: I ate at Geranium and honestly don’t remember the music.
JD: Exactly. You only notice it when it’s wrong.
MF: Time for a heist. You get three musicians on your crew. Who’s in and what are their roles?
JD: Snoop Dogg—wild card. Useful in unpredictable ways.
Phil Collins—multi-talented, musical and otherwise.
Brian May from Queen—he’s literally an astrophysicist. Smart guy.
We’ve got charisma, brains, and rhythm. Are we successful? No idea. But we’d have a great time.
MF: What’s a wine misconception you wish would disappear?
JD: That it’s only for wealthy or posh people. That it has to be expensive to be good. That it all tastes the same. Wine should be approachable and diverse—just like the people drinking it.
MF: You’re in a wine-themed reality show. What’s your strategy? And your walk-in song?
JD: My strategy? Stay quiet. Only answer what’s asked. Once you start flexing, you open yourself up to mistakes. I hate failing. I’m kind of maniacal about it.
As for the song? Mr. Brightside. It's basic, sure—but a hype track. Let’s call it Mrs. Brightside.
MF: One last one. Most unforgettable guest reaction?
JD: Oh boy. There was a guest at Geranium who said three different wines were corked. I tasted all of them—they were fine. But I opened fresh bottles anyway. The third one passed, finally.
Then they said the next one was corked too.
And then they told me: “It takes a very talented sommelier to catch this.” I was fuming. I cried after service. Then they followed me on Instagram and said, “Thanks for an amazing night.”
Blocked. Deleted. Goodbye. Someone was corked—and it wasn’t the wine.
Discover Jackie's Drop
Explore the 12 wines Jacqueline Doucette curated for Drop 10. Personal, playful, and unforgettable.
FAQs
Who is Jacqueline Doucette?
Former Head Sommelier at Geranium (World’s #1 Restaurant, 2022), now working with the Merivale Group in Sydney. Tastemaker for Playlist’s Drop 10.
What makes Jacqueline’s wine curation special?
Her style is emotional, instinctive, and grounded in curiosity. She doesn’t just pick bottles—she tells stories through wine.
What wine did Jacqueline choose to share with a dream guest?
Littorai’s Wendling Vineyard Pinot, shared with drummer John Bonham.
How does music influence her approach to wine?
Music and wine are inseparable for Jacqueline. She and her partner even keep a Spotify playlist for their future wine bar.
Where can I taste the wines Jacqueline curated?
Explore Drop 10 on Playlist to find all 12 wines curated by Jacqueline.
What song gets her hyped before a big day?
“Mr. Brightside” by The Killers (aka Mrs. Brightside in this case).
