Event Date
On May 11, 2026, we hosted an evening with renowned certified sommelier and Wine Enthusiast 40 under 40 tastemaker, Cha McCoy, as she shared her new book, Wine Pairing for the People, a first-of-its-kind guide to inclusive wine pairing that challenges conventional wisdom by pairing wines with the rich, diverse cuisines of the world.
The wine world often emphasizes that “what grows together, goes together,” prioritizing European cuisines and neglecting pairing options for vibrant, flavorful dishes from regions where wine grapes aren’t prevalent. Diving in by continent and then by region or country, from Africa to the Caribbean, Latin America to the United States of America, and Asia, McCoy takes readers around the world, sharing her journey of learning and connecting with culinary traditions and regional cuisines. Part practical guide and part travelogue, Wine Pairing for the People will appeal to people who love to cook and eat out, armchair travelers, and hobby and professional sommeliers and chefs alike.
The evening’s wine selection was curated by McCoy and included Violet's Paradise Wines, McBride Sisters Wine Company, Ward Four Wines, Theopolis Vineyards, J Vineyards & Winery and Martha Stoumen Wines.
Support provided by The Lemon Smith and the Darrell Corti Endowed Professorship in Food, Wine and Culture at UC Davis.
Special thanks to Underground Books for hosting the book sale and stocking the book in their store.
Speaker:
Cha McCoy, MBA, is an entrepreneur, educator, and a NAACP-nominated author. As a certified sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, she developed The Communion, a wine dinner series that offers an inviting, accessible approach to gathering and enjoying wine. This experience inspired her to open her first brick-and-mortar, The Communion Wine & Spirits, and her debut book, Wine Pairing for the People: The Communion of Wine, Food, and Culture from Africa and Beyond. The dinner series was profiled in Food & Wine, and Cha was named one of Wine Enthusiast’s 40 Under 40. Cha has held coveted positions, including Cherry Bombe Magazine’s first beverage director, the head of beverage for the Charleston Wine + Food
Festival, and a sommelier at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Portugal. Passionate about education, she spends her spare time mentoring and teaching at her alma mater, Syracuse University, where she served as an adjunct professor, educating and inspiring new wine drinkers. Catch Cha if you can in Harlem, New York—or on one of her international adventures.
Questions?
If you have questions about this event, please email [email protected].