Elizabeth Taylor, CSW
Wine Educator & Consultant
California-born Beth Taylor loves sharing her passion for food and wine. In 2012, Beth launched her company, The Zin Diva, LLC, to provide sommelier and wine education services for parties and events where guests taste and learn about wines from around the world.
Beth fell in love with wine in 2002 after she tried an off-dry German Riesling billed as a “spicy white” at her favorite restaurant near Charleston, SC. A local wine merchant helped her
build her palate while she devoured books on wine appreciation. Starting in 2004, Beth started annual pilgrimages to California wine country where she racked up visits to over 1000 wineries and tasting rooms in over 25 American Viticultural Areas (AVA). After living and tasting in the Central Coast AVA of California for two years, Beth returned to the East Coast where she explored Virginia, Pennsylvania, and international wines.
As Beth’s love of wine grew, she yearned to share, expand, and formalize her knowledge and pursue a career in the wine industry. She took the plunge in 2011 when she started a wine and food blog and registered for the Level 1 Sommelier exam through the Court of Master Sommeliers. After intense study of wine theory and two days of tasting 22 wines blind, she passed the Level 1 Sommelier exam and joined a professional “blind” wine tasting group in DC. Three months later, she passed the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) exam through the Society of Wine Educators. She put her newfound knowledge and tasting skills to work with planning and hosting wine tastings for civic groups, book signings and talks in DC, and fundraising events. Meanwhile, she continued to entertain dinner guests and blog followers by exploring wine and food pairings.
Beth’s desire to share her passion for food and wine motivated her to create The Zin Diva, LLC, which provides sommelier and wine education services for parties and events. Beth helps clients select wines to meet their theme, menu, budget, and personal tastes. At events, guests sip on mouth-watering wines served in Riedel glasses while learning more about their favorites. Beth desires to make wine fun and approachable and to teach people how to find wine they will love.
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