MJ’s guest today is celebrated sommelier Marquita Levy. Marquita was featured in the New York Times article written by Eric Asimov on Black Wine Professionals. She was one of the consulting Sommeliers for the Wine & Spirits October issue Black Rising Stars. Marquita discovered her passion for wine while waiting tables to support her dance career. When wine became her main focus, she retired from dancing in 2002. Marquita received her Vinification/Viticulture certificate and pin in 2004 from the American Sommelier Association. She has worked at many restaurants including Indochine, Al di La, Jean Georges, Colicchio & Sons, Lure Fish Bar, Bowery Meat Company, and Waverly Inn. Marquita is currently Sommelier at Red Hook Winery in Brooklyn, and is working with Jeff Porter, the mind behind Sip Trip Italy, on his new wine distribution company Volcanic Selections. In this episode, MJ and Marquita discuss how she went from dancing to wine full time, her “spiritual” experience at her first wine training, how she started buying wine, and of course, being from Chicago, a quick detour on Chicago's Deep Dish vs. New York’s Thin Slice. We danced and laughed our way through this one, so get ready!A huge thank you to Marquita Levy!Follow her on IG @marquita_grapelover Check out Volcanic Selections: https://volcanicselections.com/ Follow them on IG @volcanicselections This episode’s in studio wines:2018 Susanna Fabbri Chianti Classico imported by Volcanic Selections_______________________________________________________________Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers and wine drinkers! Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at Blackwineguy.comFollow MJ @blackwineguy Thank you to our sponsor Acker Wines! Listeners of the show will receive $25 off purchases of $100 or more with code BWG25 at checkout. (Retail store only) Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. www.necessarymediaproductions.com@necessary_media_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.