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The Conversation

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Two women from different parts of the world share the stories of their lives

Two women from different parts of the world, united by a common passion, experience or expertise, share the stories of their lives.

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The Conversation: Women with a passion for wine

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Sommeliers Pascaline Lepeltier and Melissa Mwende

26/12/2022 GMT

Women with a passion for wine

BBC World Service - The Conversation, Women with a passion for wine

French Master Sommelier Pascaline Lepeltier talks to Kenyan wine expert Melissa Mwende

Sommeliers Pascaline Lepeltier and Melissa Mwende tell Kim Chakanetsa about looking after their taste buds, picking wine for celebrations and the skills needed in their work.

Kim Chakanetsa talks to a multi-award winning wine expert from France and a young sommelier from Kenya who was part of the first all-female team to take part in the World Wine Blind Tasting Championships 2022. 

Pascaline Lepeltier was studying for a PhD in Philosophy when she switched to work in a restaurant and pursue her interest in wine. She went on to become the only woman to have been named “Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France - Sommellerie”, and also in 2018, Best French Sommelier. She has a passion for championing organic, natural and biodynamic wines and is beverage director at the New York restaurant Chambers.

Melissa Mwende is a Kenyan born and raised sommelier and wine educator. After working as a wine ambassador for a brand in South Africa she opened a small wine shop outside Nairobi and works as a wine consultant. She wants people to learn about fantastic wines produced across the African continent.

Produced by Jane Thurlow

(Image: (L) Pascaline Lepeltier, credit Cedric Angeles. (R) Melissa Mwende, courtesy Melissa Mwende.)

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