Andrea Robinson, one of the country’s leading wine educators, and the first woman to have been designated as Best Sommelier in the United States, is also an honors graduate of the International Culinary Center and Sommelier for Delta Air Lines. She is the winner of three James Beard awards and was selected by Bon Appetit Magazine as Wine & Spirits Professional of The Year in 2004.
After passing the Master Sommelier in 1997 (2nd attempt – she missed Theory on the first and advises candidates to persevere!), Andrea competed in the Concours Mondiale des Sommeliers – where she did NOT win! She also taught and examined at all levels, and hosted/coordinated multiple intro, Advanced, and Master Sommelier courses and exams while working at Windows on the World and Starwood Hotels.
Andrea has written four top-selling wine and food books, including Everyday Dining with Wine, which won the prestigious IACP cookbook award. She launched the Court’s partner certification program with the ICE (formerly the French Culinary Institute) as that school’s first Dean of Wine Studies. She has also created a ground-breaking wine stemware design called The ONE, which optimizes the tasting experience with a single, precision shape, which has been chosen by Domaine de la Romanee-Conti and Ornellaia for their US trade and media tastings.
Andrea has hosted more than 100 episodes of her own ground-breaking television series’ for Scripps Networks, including the Food Network’s Quench, as well as Simply Wine and Pairings with Andrea on Fine Living network. She was featured on Working Mother magazine’s cover as a Working Mother of the Year, and she has been profiled in People, Glamour, Elle, NBC Nightly News, NBC’s Today show, CBS This Morning, The New York Times, Food & Wine magazine, and numerous others.
To learn more about Andrea, visit her website at www.andreawine.com.
Where are you working currently and how has being a MS supported you in your current role?
I consult to Delta Air Lines (since 2007), and the cruise industry, educate on wine to corporate groups, and create content.
Where were you working when you passed?
I was working at Windows on the World when I passed.
What made you want to become an MS?
Mentors inspired me to want to pass the MS – Scott Carney, MS and Roger Dagorn, MS
What advice do you give those who are pursuing certification?
If you are pursuing the certification, remember it’s about hospitality and how you connect with and treat people.
What is your desert island wine, or what wines/beverages are you currently excited about?
I’m a huge fan of Champagne, German Grosses Gewachs Riesling, and Spanish white and red Rioja.
