UNITED WE TASTE Solidarity For Italy (a response to COVID-19)

UNITED WE TASTE is a grassroots idea to connect in solidarity with other Sommeliers and Wine Professionals for a global virtual tasting group in response to social distancing and isolation.

I was excited to return to NYC from Lisbon this month for a gig, but also for the scheduled trade tastings and intimate tastings groups that are an essential part of how I learn about new producers and wines and an important opportunity to NETWORK.

In true Cha spirit, we are using wine to connect people, this time virtually! I connected with a fellow wine student via LinkedIn located in Portugal who was also knee deep in Spanish wine studies and we decided to have a virtual tasting, which now sparked us connecting our community to join us and to live stream with YOU. What started out as a way to check in with each other and peer education is now how we hope to connect more people globally. During these times we are searching for ways to feel this connection more than ever and some POSITIVE on the ground reporting from quarantined areas. As you may or may not know, I moved to Italy 10 years ago and this country has a special place in my heart.

Come join the conversation, streaming details are listed below.

The goal is to inspire connection, promote peer wine education, and provide hope to the wine community near and far. And if you have the means and if its available to you, please SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL WINE SHOPS and POP SHOPS* during these difficult times and to promote more virtual events for the for the future.

Current Theme: In Solidarity with Italy Saturday, March 20, 2020 & Sunday, March 21, 2020

Follow & Support Our Host

Italy Reps:

Nicole Poggi Wine Branding Consultant Current Location: Emilia-Romagna, Italy @hiniky

  • Tasting: Italian Spumante, Romagna Producer Bole

Hande Leimer Wine Educator Current Location: Rome, Italy @vinoroma

Global Community:

Cha McCoy Sommelier & Wine Experience Producer - Current Location NYC, USA @chasquared

Filipe Carvahlo Wine Collector & Blogger - Current Location Bairrada, Portugal

  • Tasting: Italian Red - 100% Negroamaro, Puliga Producer Torridoro

Tanisha Townsend Wine Educator & Wine Tourism - Current Location Paris, France

Will Wilson Food & Beverage Director - Current Location London, England

Zoltan Nagy - Wine Connoisseur & Wine Wine Writer Current Location Barcelona, Spain @ZoltanCsaba Twitter @zoltancsabanagy

Join us from anywhere and don’t forget to support by purchasing an Italian Wine! CLICK FOR VIDEO LINK

I hope that you enjoy, please tag #UNITEDWETASTE and share with others on all social platforms

Check Your Local Time Zone:

NYC 12 noon EST, BRUNCH Time ! London/Lisbon 4pm GMT, Happy Hour Rome 5pm GMT +1, Aperitivo

WINE POP SHOPS* New York State Liquor Authority (Restrictions in Response to COVID-19) is allowing businesses with an ON PREMISE license to sell off premise to customers as of March 16th until April 15th OFF PREMISE wine sales. Click for More Info If you are aware of other states that have updated polices during these times please share with me as well as any open wine shops/ wine pop shops. #SupportSmallBusinesses