Interview With Glass of Bubbly Writer – Irina Mihailenko

The World of Wine is beautifully showcased by some very passionate people, who love to write and share their knowledge and experience of wine just as much as they love to taste it, in this feature we speak with a wonderful Glass of Bubbly Writer from Tuscany, Italy, Irina Mihailenko, you can discover her first article on Italian Sparkling Wine Regions and Events, and we can’t wait to share her next feature soon, so let’s find out a bit about her life in the wonderful world of wine.

Tell Us About Yourself & What Inspired You To Become Involved In The Wine Industry?

“Originally from Riga, Latvia, I have been based in Italy for 33 years, mainly in Tuscany. For about twenty years, I worked full-time in the wine industry. My experience includes consulting, working for ten years as a brand ambassador for Tenuta Degli Dei Cavalli and Roberto Cavalli Vodka, and managing a fine-dining restaurant in Padua, located in the Veneto region. In 2019, I founded an e-commerce platform with offline distribution, Tooscans Wine Academy and recently started importing wines. In 2020, I created the Sparkling Life website, which is published in three languages and focuses on food and wine.

My curiosity about the world of wine inspired this journey. I have lived in the Chianti Classico area since 1995, surrounded by producers and wine enthusiasts, which motivated me to learn about this subject. So, I began tasting and studying wine in 2004 by completing two three-year courses through the Italian Sommelier Associations, AIS and FISAR. Since then, I have obtained various certifications, including Langhe Wines Ambassador, Master Taster with AIS, and Valpolicella Wine Specialist (VEP). I am also a Certified Port, Sherry, and Cava Educator, currently studying to become a Spanish Wine Educator. I have completed the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines at London School, obtained certification as a Sake Sommelier with SSA, and earned four years ago a Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing. I participate as a judge in various wine competitions, including PIWI. I will never stop learning and improving my skills.”

Do You Remember Your First Experience With Sparkling Wine? When It Was And What Kind Of Wine It Was?

“For many years, I practised professional sports, so I avoided any alcohol, and at 25, I had my first daughter after a year and a half a son. Consequently, I was teetotal for a very long time. I started tasting around 2000. I have no memories of my first sparkling; probably, it was not so exciting. When my sister founded the restaurant ‘Fellini’ in Riga in 2004, and at the same time I started as a buyer in a distribution store in Tuscany, I tried many truly exceptional Champagne bottles. The most impressive was ‘Substance’ by Jacques Selosse. I remember the first bottle as if it were yesterday. We often opened bottles of Selosse in that period.”

What Sparkling Wine Producing Countries or Regions Hold A Special Place In Your Heart?

“As for many wine people, it is Champagne, and I have numerous friends among the producers and met some of them just a few days ago at the Modena Champagne Experience event. I always joke that when I grow up, I want to be a Veuve in Champagne and live in this magnificent place without anyone telling me how much bubbles to consume. I have my favourite producers for each Italian sparkling denomination, and Alta Langa particularly fascinates me. I am also a Cava educator, and while I have a solid theoretical understanding, I wish I had more time to visit and meet producers, including those from Corpinnat. I am increasingly curious about English sparkling wines, as I recently tasted some truly outstanding examples.”

Where’s The Most Memorable Place You’ve Enjoyed A Glass of Bubbly?

“I experienced a remarkable business trip to Rheingau eight years ago while working for Tenuta Degli Dei Cavalli. Fine Das Wine Magazine invited some of the most prestigious wineries to this exclusive event. It was one of the best trips of my career, featuring visits to stunning vineyards, a helicopter tour over the landscape, tastings of exquisite old vintages, and fantastic dinners with some of the most renowned producers, including my favourites from Rheingau and Mosel. The magnums of Krug 1998 that we enjoyed were truly unforgettable. This is how I envision paradise. The world of wine possesses a unique charm that makes it hard for me to call it just a job. I am passionately in love with everything surrounding this sparkling world of wine.”

Thank you, Irina, for sharing your story and experiences with us and we at Glass of Bubbly wish you the very best for the future!