When did you first become interested in wine?
I became interested in wine at a very early age. My best friend's father worked for a wine distributor and her mother was French. When I went over to their house for dinner, I noticed that wine was an important part of the ritual. There were all kinds of fancy labels and exotically shaped bottles that I had never seen before. It was fascinating. We used to go down to the "wine cellar" in the basement and explore the assortment of wines stored there. My precocious friend and I also sampled a few of them. Initially, I enjoyed the experience because of the thrill involved, not the taste. My friend's mother used to join my mother for lunch and she would bring a bottle of rose wine in a fish shaped bottle for the two of them to enjoy. I thought wine for lunch was so sophisticated.

What brought you into the wine business?
I have worked in the hospitality business since I was a kid. When I graduated college, I took a job with a big hotel company. We had a very limited wine list and we sold more liquor than anything else, so liquor was our main focus. I soon left that job and went to work for a successful independent restaurant owner. He loved wines and was an avid collector. He made sure all his staff received a proper wine education, so they could sell the different wines on his list. He offered me a wonderful opportunity to attend a wine certification course at the Sterling School of Service and Hospitality. Evan Goldstein was the teacher and he taught with so much enthusiasm and passion that it was infectious. It was here that I truly started to have an appreciation for the taste of wine...not just the thrill. The rest is history.

Do you have a favorite varietal or region?
Don't get me started. I love any white from the Loire Valley. Sancerre is my first love as it can be crisp and light or medium bodied. I love the restrained citrus fruit flavors and lively minerality of Sancerre. I also love the Rhône both North and South. There are so many diverse styles of wine from that region that I never get tired of them. I love Syrah and Grenache! I also love Rieslings from both Austria and Germany. They are both excellent food wines. Anytime I have a wine dinner at work I try and slip in a Riesling. Most people don't understand Rieslings as they still think of the Rieslings of yesteryear, which were not very well made and overly sweet. I am trying to change that. The Riesling usually ends up being the favorite wine of the dinner.

If you don't order wine at a restaurant or bar, which beverage do you choose?
I like a good Hefeweizen or Iced Tea as both are very refreshing. Recently, I was offered a Hangar One Chipotle Vodka mixed with tomato water served on ice with a wedge of citrus. The way the vodka and peppers are distilled gives a whole new dimension to the peppers. Simply delicious!

What's your least favorite drink?
Flavored Iced Tea. You can't get regular Iced Tea in Los Angeles. They are all peach or passion fruit. Not a fan.

What's your best wine-drinking memory? What was the occasion?
I went to visit my college roommate who was living in Paris at the time and we planned a short trip to go wine tasting in Burgundy. We ended up in Beaune in November right before the Hospice de Beaune auction and the place was fairly deserted. We decided to taste in the underground caves that were open. How fortuitous for us when we got there, we were notified that no English speaking guides were available to take us on any of the guided tours. The French speaking guides were very apologetic and told us we could go down to the caves and guide ourselves. We spent hours down there drinking Premier and Grand Cru Burgundies. No apology necessary!

In your opinion, which country, other than the U.S., makes the best wine? Why?
France. I like the diversity of French wines and I like the fact that a lot of French winemakers are trying to stay true to their winemaking traditions. Terrior still means something.

What are your thoughts on recent trends within the industry?
I love that many growers and winemakers are going organic or biodynamic. It is good for the earth and also good for the heart and spirit. As it's been said, "Give to the earth and it will give back to you." I also love the new Vino Seal closures which stop the problem of cork taint and are reusable.

What is the first thing someone learning about wine should know?
A new wine drinker should not be intimidated by all the wine jargon. Wine is to be shared and enjoyed. Go to the nearest bookstore and get the most current issue of the book "Wine for Dummies" by Ed McCarthy and Mary Ewing-Mulligan. I believe it is one of the best books written for beginners. Taste as many wines as you can...not a bad homework assignment!

What are some of your favorite food and wine pairings?
I love lobster, shrimp or scallops paired with Viognier. The sweetness of the shellfish matches with the fruitiness of the wine. I also like savory foods paired with fruity, slightly sweet wines. Oxtail topped with Foie gras and served with an Alsatian Gewurtstraminer is one of my favorites. Rhône reds also pair well with a variety of different foods, because of the many styles of wine produced there. Recently, I had an Herb Crusted Veal Flank Steak paired with the 2006 M Sorrel Crozes Hermitage which was amazing! Onion soup paired with Madeira is also really wonderful.

Do you think any rules should be adhered to when pairing?
Sometimes. I am a Bostonian and am used to seeing people order a big Napa Cabernet Sauvignon with boiled lobster and drawn butter. I couldn't reconcile the two together. Just thinking about it gives me a headache. Most of the time rules are meant to be broken, but not when it comes to boiled lobster.

What are some of the benefits of drinking wine?
I love to share wines with friends and family. It's good for the soul. Wine dinners can bring different groups of people together as their commonality is the love of wine.

What wines should no home be without?
Delicious, inexpensive white and rose wines: they are perfect as an aperitif and they pair well with lighter foods for casual entertaining. Champagne is also a staple in my refrigerator.

Do you have any favorite wine gadgets? Are there any new ones on the market? If so, what are they and where can people get them?
I am a simple girl when it comes to wine gadgets, although I frequently receive them as gifts. My wine gadgets include many waiters' corkscrews, a two pronged wine puller also known as the Ah So and a good wine decanter. That's all I need. I recently received a Vin Chilla that chills down my wine very fast. All of these items can be purchased in a good wine shop or you can buy them on the internet.

What are your 3 best tips, tricks or techniques for wine lovers?
1) Try wines you haven't had before. Pick wines from around the globe and make it an adventure.

2) Get to know the wine buyer at your local wine shop. He or she can guide you on what wines are coming in that you might like and what is on sale. If you are a good customer, you may even get a better discount from the sale price,

3) Drink your wine with friends and family both old and new.