Featured here are some frequently asked questions about how I got into the wine industry and my personal interests.
What attracted you to the wine industry?
As a college student when I studied abroad in Nancy, France my host family prepared many multi-coursed meals in which they paired wines with the various courses. It was at this point that I first realized the power of wine to enhance a meal and its versatility as a beverage. After visiting the wine country in the Bay Area I was later convinced that I had to take part in the industry on some level.
Are you a sommelier?
I would not call myself a sommelier although I have comparable knowledge and have worked as a wine steward. True sommeliers have typically passed the intermediary Certified Sommelier Exam from the Court of Master Sommeliers and are pursing the ultimate certification, Master Sommelier (MS). Personally I have been studying towards the Master of Wine (MW) exam and am currently completing the prerequisite diploma from the London-based Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET).
What are your favorite books about food and wine?
I love all the books written by Peter Mayle including A Year in Provence, Encore Provence, and A Good Year. Mayle has a great sense of humor and is terrific at recreating the local atmosphere of Provence. Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany by Frances Mayes and Mediterranean Summer: A Season on France's Cote d'Azur and Italy's Costa Bella by David Shalleck are also good. Most recently I enjoyed Julia Child’s memoir, My Life in France (penned by Alex Prud'homme), in which she recalls her inspiration to study French cuisine.
What are your favorite restaurants?
Some of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco include Chez Spencer, Frascati, Sociale, Spruce, Piperade and the Foreign Cinema. In Sonoma wine country I like Cyrus and The Farm House Inn. My husband and I both love Radius in Boston where we held our rehearsal dinner for our wedding.
Who are some of your favorite wine producers?
I am particularly drawn towards French wines although I am more and more interested in German Rieslings and Italian wines. Champagne: Bollinger, Gosset, Krug, Pol Roger, Ruinart, Taittinger. Burgundy: Comte de Vogue, Dujac, Faiveley, Leflaive, Leroy, Ramonet, Raveneau. Germany: Donnhoff, Muller-Catoir, Von Simmern. Italy: Antinori, Castello Banfi, Conterno, Giacosa, Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, Pio Cesare, Vietti.
What do you do in your free time?
I love to play with my seven-month-old daughter Sophia and listen to classical music. I enjoy taking long runs, watching foreign films, and learning more about wine.
