Interview With A Sommelier – Alessandra Rodrigues

The World of Wine is beautifully showcased by an army of talented Sommeliers, who help the consumer discover their next favourite bottle, understand the different regions and pair a delicious meal with the right Glass of Bubbly.

In this feature, I speak with a woman who has helped many people to discover the vast world of Wines and Sparkling Wines, her name is Alessandra Rodrigues, let’s find out a bit about her life as a Sommelier.

Tell Us About Yourself

“My name is Alessandra G. Rodrigues, I’m Brazilian (from Brasilia, the capital of Brazil – but I live in Rio de Janeiro), with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, a postgraduate degree in Italy, in the course ‘Tecnico Esperto della Filiera Vitivinicola’, and Sommelier at the Associazione Italiana di Sommeliers (A.I.S – Rome). I love enogastronomy! I grew up with my mother and grandmother in the kitchen. Both were bakers and cooks. I loved learning from them!

In Rio de Janeiro, I work with wine courses and events. I like to teach, to pass on knowledge.”

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

“In fact, I remember my first experience with a sparkling, carbonated drink. I must have been between 10 and 12 years old. My mother bought this drink for her, which was called ‘Keep Cooler’. It was made with white wine and fruit juice, it had citrus aromas and was around five degrees. I loved it!!

But the real experience with sparkling wine was with Champagne. I confess that at first, I felt an interesting ‘itch’ on my nose, and that instigated me. I was interested in tasting more of this type of drink and learning more about it. Then I tasted the Italian sparkling wines and from then on, I never stopped studying about sparkling wines.”

“Another beautiful experience I had was when I was invited to be a judge at the ‘Concorso Nazionale degli Spumanti D’Italia’, as the only foreign sommelier. I was able to try sparkling wines from all over the country and it was incredible!”

What Inspired You To Become a Sommelier?

“As I said before, I always liked drinks (especially after the experience with Keep Coler :D). I took advantage of the fact that I went to do a doctorate in Italy (which I didn’t finish due to the cut in scholarships for foreigners, by the government at the time – I stayed as a researcher at Tor Vergata University) and decided to take courses on wines. After all, I was in a country with a millennial tradition in the area of ​​wine production! I couldn’t miss the opportunity! I had a great interest in learning! And after becoming a sommelier, passing on this acquired knowledge became another passion.”

During Your Time As A Sommelier, What’s The Most Surprising & Interesting Thing You’ve Learnt?

“I learned that every day you learn more! New arrivals always appear in the world of wines! From production to marketing and sales. And that we must never stop studying, and following oenological evolution. After all, each country, each region of the world, has its peculiarities.”

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

“I love the Champagne region of France, obviously, and the Franciacorta and Prosecco regions of Italy. But I have to admit that I love Crémant too! In the south of Brazil, they also produce sparkling wines of excellent quality. It’s hard to choose just one place!”

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

“When I was in Reims, with my boyfriend at the time, sitting on a bench in the square, we were about to open a bottle of Champagne, when we heard the sound of opening another bottle, on our right side. We looked and there was another couple, opening a Champagne. Then there were several noises of bottles opening, all around us. Several couples doing the same. We all looked at each other and toasted together, from afar! That moment was special! To think that so many people, on the street, without luxury or great pretensions, were there, just to enjoy the moment with a loved one, tasting one of the best sparkling wines in the world, was really exciting!

Tasting Prosecco on the Prosecco Hills, with the view of various vines was also an exceptional experience.”

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

Images belong to Alessandra Rodrigues. Glass of Bubbly was granted permission, to use them.