Cynthia Chaplin is a Vinitaly International Academy certified Italian Wine Ambassador, a professional Sommelier with Fondazione Italiana Sommelier and the Worldwide Sommelier Association, a member of Le Donne del Vino, and a Professor of Italian wine and culture. She is the Host of VOICES covering DEI in the wine industry for Italian Wine Podcast. Cynthia consults for Vinitaly International and The Old Vine Conference. She is an experienced wine writer, presenter and judge, as well as a WSET Certified Educator.
Throughout her 20 years working in the wine sector, Cynthia's clients have included embassies, corporations, students, universities and private groups and individuals. She creates and presents wine tastings, wine events, seminars and in-depth courses. Her writing has featured Maze Row VOICES Magazine for Gallo, Italy Magazine, Bellissimo, winery websites and other publications, both in print and online. She is a co-author of Wine Democracy (2022) and Editorial Curator and Contributor to Italian Wine Unplugged 2.0 (2023), the winner of the OIV Award in 2023.
Cynthia judges international wine and sake competitions including Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, LA International Wine Competition, 5Star Wine & Wine Without Walls and others. She consults with restaurants and wine shops developing comprehensive wine lists and excellent food pairings, as well as advising private clients and curating bespoke, personal Italian wine collections.
In her role as Italian Wine Expert for Martin Randall Travel, Cynthia joins tour groups to personally share her expertise and profound knowledge of Italian wines, producers, vineyards and regions, selecting and presenting wines for each regional travel program.
Born in the USA, Cynthia moved to Europe in 1990 where she has lived in Spain, Belgium, England and Italy. In 2012 she chose to centre her career in Italy and immerse herself in the Italian wine sector, with a special focus on rosé.
JUDGING EXPERIENCE
LA International Wine Competition 2024
Feminalise, Paris 2018, 2019, 2022
5StarWines and Wine Without Walls, Verona 2021, 2022
Concours Mondiale di Bruxelles: Japan Sake Selection 2018
Concours Mondiale di Bruxelles: Abruzzo Rosé Section 2021
Womens' Wine and Spirits Awards, London 2018, 2019, 2021
Oscar del Vino, Rome 2016, 2017, 2018
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Sommelier: Fondazione Italiana Sommeliers, Worldwide
Sommelier Association
Professor of Italian Wine and Culture
Vinitaly International Academy Certified Italian Wine Ambassador
WSET Certified Educator
WSET Level 3 Award in Wines
Testimonials
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"Thank you to the quite brilliant Cynthia Chaplin for her article on the significance of old vine heritage and materials developed on Barbera wines during The Old Vine Conference Field Trip to Piedmont." - Sarah Abbott MW
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'We learned a lot from Cynthia during our 20 weeks of courses with her, and we gained a better understanding of the Italian wine aisle in grocery stores. Cynthia's wine knowledge really helped us to understand our palate and wine preferences' - Michelyne Callan, Rome
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'Our sincere congratulations to Cynthia Chaplin for her work as an Italian Wine Ambassador, we are very happy to partner with her! Bravissima!' - Ormaevinae Winery, Tuscany
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'Cynthia Chaplin is a fabulous sommelier. But she is so much more: she is a fascinating storyteller about everything to do with Italian wine!' -Wendy Holloway, Flavour of Italy podcast
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'Our Italian wine collection arrived safely, we could not be more excited about it! We can't wait to break out some of the great bottles we discovered in your amazing classes' - Matt Gershwin, Washington, D.C.
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"Thank you for your incredible podcast interviewing skills and storytelling abilities!" - Stephanie Maschek, Founder, The Wild Larynx