Ep. 2753 Part 1 – Changing How America Learns about Wine | Heart-to-Heart Conversation with Sarah Looper

Welcome to Episode 2753 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this bonus episode, Stevie Kim sits down for a heart-to-heart conversation with Sarah Looper, better known as LooperSomm. In Part 1 of their conversation, Sarah—recently certified as a VIA Italian Wine Ambassador—shares her journey as a sommelier at il Buco NYC and a wine educator dedicated to making wine approachable, engaging, and unpretentious. Together, they discuss her passion for changing how Americans learn about wine and the importance of making wine education more accessible, confidence-building, and fun. More about the guest: Professional sommelier and wine educator Sarah Looper has worked in the food and wine world for over twenty-five years. She is a graduate of the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma program, an expert-level qualification covering all aspects of wine; a Certified Wine Educator through the Society of Wine Educators; and she is a candidate for the Master Sommelier Diploma, the highest distinction a professional can attain in fine wine and beverage service, with the Court of Master Sommeliers. Sarah has worked in several areas of the wine industry including journalism, retail, import and distribution, winery and cellar work, wine education, and she was a wine director in restaurants for many years running innovative wine and cocktail programs where she worked closely with the chefs and pastry chefs on food and wine pairings that would blow her customers’ minds . Sarah is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.A in European History and she holds a Baking & Pastry Certificate from The Culinary Institute of America. Connect: Website: https://loopersomm.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-looper-dipwset-9ab1577/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loopersomm _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin!