Every Friday TheChampagneSommelier will ask 5 questions about 5 coeur de bouteilles to friends and Champagne lovers from near and far. This Week we took a bubbly chat with Italian and Middle Eastern descent Champagne lover Martino Zarcadoolas. Merci Gina !
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
BIO
Gina Martino Zarcadoolas
Gina Martino Zarcadoolas is the name behind the popular blog Foodiewineler.com. She is of Italian and Middle Eastern descent, and grew up in the Caribbean. She is a culinary personality, and a passionate food & wine writer. Gina is multilingual and has traveled to many parts of the world to learn about global cuisines. She is a Level 2 certified sommelier and has earned the prestigious “WSET: Wine, Spirit, Education Trust, Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits” certification with merit. She is halfway done studying Italian wines through the Wine Scholar Guild. She’s on target to receive her diploma within the next few months which will give her the distinctive title of: “Italian Wine Scholar” ™️
In August 2018, she self-published a cookbook entitled: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures. The book includes some of her family’s treasured recipes, 48 wine pairing suggestions, and her travel lifestyle. She sells her book on her website as well as on Amazon across the world. Most of her core audience on Instagram proudly owns her book, and you can find it featured as a backdrop on Attorney Somm’s wine-collecting YouTube channel.
In June 2019, she was the recipient of the “Salice Salentino USA Bloggers” Award and won a trip to Lecce, Puglia, Italy. She wrote a piece about wines from the region and won first place among ten outstanding American writers.
Gina loves to entertain her loved ones with delectable food and luscious wines. She keeps her dishes simple with a touch of sophistication. Gina is well-known on social media for her inventive meals, and she enjoys the art of pairing wines with food. When she’s not blogging, she practices real estate with her husband, Peter.
[follow on Gina Martino Zarcadoolas aka foodieandwinelover here]
Which Champagne would You treat your parents or in-laws?
‘I would treat my mom to the quintessential Billecart-Salmon NV Brut Rosé Champagne. It embodies finesse and elegance like Mom! It presents itself in a scintillating “salmon” color, and boasts delicate aromas of raspberries and citrus note that tingle the palate.’
Which Champagne would You treat your lover?
‘My husband compares me to a 2006 Dom Pérignon Brut Champagne: voluptuous, complex, lively, intense, toasty, and delicious. There’s another bottle resting in the wine cooler.‘
Which Champagne would You treat your boss?
‘That’s a tricky question! We own a real estate brokerage firm, and my husband is the broker, but I am also an entrepreneur. I would treat the two of us with a 2009 Drappier Grande Sandrée. This Champagne is complex with notes of Marzipan, honey, orange peel, and warm brioche. It pairs marvelously with the salinity of oysters.‘
Which Champagne would You treat yourself?
‘I would treat myself to a 2006 Dom Perignon Rosé Champagne. It is the epitome of luxurious living, showing sophistication and finesse, and evolves with every sip. The texture is dazzlingly creamy with a fine mousse, and the finish is everlasting with lively acidity. This Champagne is mind-blowing in every aspect and should be a stand-alone wine. No food is needed. ‘
Which would You treat a dream guest, and why, and who’s is Your dream guest?
‘I have a few, but I will stick with the legendary rockstar Jon Bon Jovi. I would choose the 2007 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, offering subtle aromas and flavors of Anjou pear and white peaches, citrus note, buttered brioche, with bitter almonds on a long sexy finish. The mouthfeel is creamy and luxurious.‘
What piece of music would you listen to drinking wine in question 5 ? ]
‘ I am torn between Living on a Prayer and It’s My Life – both by Bon Jovi.’
