140: A Sommelier’s Wine Tips - from European to Non-Alcoholic and the Microbiome.

140: A Sommelier’s Wine Tips - from European to Non-Alcoholic and the Microbiome.  Sommelier of the Year Alex Sarovich is serving up wine chat with a look at European, non-alcoholic and Little Saint in Healdsburg, California. Alexandria Sarovich Today's Lexi:  Κρασί - Krasi - Wine In Today’s Episode: Next Wave Sommelier of the Year Alexandria Sarovich joins Kefi L!fe to bring a wealth of wine information for you.  From France to Germany, Alex has studied and worked abroad, landing her in California as Wine Director of Little Saint in Healsburg, CA.  Alex has tasted nearly 15,000 wines in her life and passed one of the most difficult tests: the Master of Sommelier Exam.  Her knowledge translates into great fodder for us. Learn about Great wines in Sonoma, wines of Europe, and even about the sugar content of wine.  How does the microbiome come into play?  What is the difference between European cellars and those in the states? Plus, non-alcoholic is on the rise, and Alex has terrific suggestions for that list. Raise your glass and sip along with Alex and Kiki today! Yiamas! To Our Health! Today's Ola Kala Moment: Farm to Table for Dinner Resources: Next Wave Sommelier of the Year Little Saint Executive Wine Director Alex Sarovich For many, the allure of working in hospitality often stems from early childhood memories of happy family gatherings around the dinner table. For Alexandria (Alex) Sarovich, who has four siblings and a shared Italian/Serbian heritage—this was precisely where her love for all things food and wine began. This sense of cooking and nourishing her loved ones inspired Alex to enroll in Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island, where she would receive a Bachelor's in Business and an Associate's degree in Culinary Arts. During her time at JWU, Alex discovered her interest in wine. In 2015 she accepted a Beverage Director position back home in Chicago at an E2 Hospitality property. She spent three years honing her craft and running an award-winning beverage program inside JW Marriott hotel's contemporary Italian restaurant. Alex left her first program to explore the wine world in Australia. Alex had the opportunity to work as a sommelier at the World's 50 Best restaurant Attica, where she expanded her knowledge of Australian wines under the tutelage of fellow Chicagoan and acclaimed Sommelier Jane Lopes. After tracking SingleThread Farm, Restaurant & Inn for almost three years, in early 2019, Alex landed her dream job as a Sommelier at SingleThread. During Alex's time as Sommelier at SingleThread she passed the Level 3 Advanced Sommelier Certification. In her current role as Executive Wine Director at Little Saint, she is building an accessible wine program where she leads a talented team dedicated to creating a unique gathering space to support the community and to elevating minority voices in the wine industry. About Little Saint Wine Program Little Saint’s Wine Lounge and Program, led by Executive Wine Director Alexandria Sarovich, highlights a 500+ bottle collection of wines that are made by winemakers committed to lessening their impact on the earth. We feature iconic and new-wave producers from around the globe with a strong representation of California wines. There is a wide array of chilled and natural wines and a reserve cellar. Outside of our favorite Sonoma County producers, we have a deep focus on Champagne, Burgundy, Loire Valley and Italy. About Little Saint Little Saint is a 100% plant-based restaurant, coffee bar, wine lounge, cocktail bar and music venue located in downtown Healdsburg in Sonoma County, California. Born from a passionate collaboration between owners Laurie and Jeff Ubben, Director Jenny Hess, and Creative Director Ken Fulk, Little Saint is dedicated to climate justice, animal welfare, and kindness for all beings with a mindfulness of sustainable practices and support for emerging makers and musicians. The exceptional culinary program has added Little Saint to ‘The New York Times’ “Best 50 Restaurants” and ‘Vegetarian Times’ “Best New Restaurants” picks in 2022. 25 North Street, Healdsburg, CA Credits: Music: Spiro Dussias Vocals: Zabrina Hay Graphic Designer: Susan Jackson O’Leary   🫒 Purchase the finest, yummiest extra virgin olive oil from Kalamata, Greece at the Kefi Life Shop!🫒 Please be sure to follow the Kefi L!fe podcast to ensure that you are Ola Kala in mind, body and soul! Insta: @kefilife_ Twitter: @Kikivale LinkedIn: Kiki Vale KefiLife.com For a natural and uplifting support with your health and wellness, connect with Kiki to discover the beauty of essentials oils: my.doterra.com/kefilife. This episode made possible in part by: The Law Offices of Liston & Tsantilis — Ranked #1 LTLawChicago.com and Kingdom Farms Wholesale Meats KingdomFarms.com This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. None of the information should be construed as medical advice. Users are encouraged to seek professional medical assistance for any significant health-related matters.