When did you first become interested in wine? (When was your first taste? How was the experience?)
Growing up in Cognac, grapes are everywhere; they are the life of our town. As a child, the traditional cure-all for colds was cognac with a cube of sugar so my earliest taste was probably Martell (Cordon Bleu). My love for wine is a natural extension of who I am. In France, we tend to drink by region, so I started mostly with Bordeaux and from then on worked my way around the world as I traveled and lived in Chile, Argentina, the United States...there are great undiscovered wines everywhere.

What brought you into the wine business?
I felt that the reputation of wine was becoming too elitist and needed to be brought back to earth. Wine is to be drunk, shared and enjoyed. I wanted to share that appreciation of wine with more people and take the anxiety out of choosing a wine. With Xavier Flouret Wines, we try and give as much information as possible on our back label to make it accessible to the consumer.

Do you have a favorite varietal or region?
As it is my home "terroir," my first love is the wines of the left bank of Bordeaux. Over the years, my ultimate love became Burgundy. Their wines are naturally spectacular.

If you don't order wine at a restaurant or bar, which beverage do you choose?
There are so many great wines and so many evolving regions that I enjoy discovering something new. I don't get too concerned if the wine doesn't turn out to be what I imagined. It's only dinner! However, if things really look grim or I'm just in the mood, I always like a good beer.

What's your least favorite drink?
I dislike engineered wines, wines that are too "oak-y" and sweet liquors.

What's your best wine-drinking memory? What was the occasion?
Where to start?

In your opinion, which country, other than the U.S., makes the best wine? Why?
With the right terroir, savoir-faire and climate, great wines can be found anywhere. If I had to pick a country though, it would be France (I'm a homeboy) and certainly Italy. These are the ancestral homes of wine for a reason— there is a whole spectrum of choice.

What are your thoughts on recent trends within the industry?
I like the way the industry is changing and opening up. I hope I'm contributing to that progress. I also like the trend in favor of "lutte raisonnée" sustainable viticulture. We have to think about the wine-drinkers of the future.

What is the first thing someone learning about wine should know?
They should try a lot of wine, keep an open mind and figure out what they like and what they don't like. Everyone's tastes are different. Learn to trust your palate. I do, everyday.

What are some of your favorite food and wine pairings?
I like white wine with cheeses. White Hermitage and Époisse are a wonderful combination. Cornas reds and chocolate are also a great pairing. Both wines happen to be appellations from the Northern Rhone Valley, France.

Do you think any rules should be adhered to when pairing?
You should always think about pairing the weight of the food you're trying. Not in terms of pounds, of course, but in terms of depth and balance. You should try to think locally in terms of region and cuisine. After all, it has to be a pleasurable experience. Go with your gut and leave room for improvisation and discovery.

What wines should no home be without?
A Sancerre, a good Cabernet-Sauvignon from Northern California and a Cru Class Rosé to drink all year round from the unique birthplace of Provence. Also, you never know when you might need a bottle of Champagne so always keep one handy.

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?
First of all, no home should be without a decanter. As for gadgets, Champagne Ayala stoppers are cute, efficient, and discreet.

What are some of the benefits of drinking wine?
It's been proven that with moderation, red wine helps us live a longer and healthier life because of the resveratrol molecule contained in red grape skin. The other great benefit to wine is that it invites you to reach out to other cultures and countries. How often we hear the words, "Let's share a bottle..." It brings all of us to the table.

What are your three best tips, tricks or techniques for wine lovers?
Open yourself up to surprise, share, and allow yourself to be seduced. Wine-loving is a life-long romance!