Imagine a blind wine tasting where you must decipher a Spanish blend of Xarel-lo and Macabeu, then determine that the next glass is a Garganela from the Soave region of Italy. And among the pours of familiar French and Italian varietals, there are stumpers like a red blend from the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon.
Welcome to Paige Bindel’s world. The longtime – almost 23 years – sommelier for Peppoli in Pebble Beach is also a member of the U.S. Wine Tasting Team. Bindel and three other celebrated American wine experts are currently in France to compete in the 2025 World Wine Tasting Championship.
The competition features teams of four from more than 40 countries. It is Bindel’s second year representing the U.S. in wine’s version of the Olympics. Last year Italy won, with the U.S. coming in 20th.
Bindel is a veteran of wine tasting competitions. But she is also a keen student of the subject, with many awards and a world of wine-related travel. Bindel was even asked to assist the Austrian crystal maker Riedel in updating the design of its Zinfandel glass.
Although she doesn’t have favorites, Bindel does lean toward certain regions. “They all have their qualities, but I love European wines – France, Italy, Spain, European whites,” she says. “Champagne is my passion.”
She was born and raised in Monterey County – fourth generation, actually; W.B. Post was an early Big Sur homesteader. Bindel graduated from Salinas High School and studied at Monterey Peninsula College before starting her career in hospitality, first as a bartender.
Weekly: Who knew there is a U.S. Wine Team? Did you?
Bindel: No – at the time I didn’t. They said, “Would you like to audition?” When I got the spot, I pinched myself. It was such an amazing experience. It’s like you’re in the Olympics. There’s a scoreboard. When scores are announced, you hear cheering.
Why take part in wine competitions?
I started doing competitions many years ago. I went to the Bordeaux Ambassador competition at the San Francisco wine school. It went from 40 people down to 10. Somehow I made it in the top 10. The next day I made the top five. When I push myself, I grow. That’s what started me in competition. In hindsight, I feel like I was unknowingly preparing for [the world championship] my entire career.
Is it different tasting as a team?
It’s interesting. With the team, we’ve learned to trust each other. You have 10 minutes per wine – two to taste, eight we’re bouncing things off each other, quietly. We don’t want the other teams to hear. You have to name the country of origin, the region, the main grape varietal and the vintage.
I think nailing the vintage would be the hardest part.
Practice makes perfect. I probably surpassed 10,000 hours [of tasting] years ago. Take Cabernet Sauvignon. You tilt the glass and hold it in front of a white card. A youthful Cab will have no rim variation. One that’s 15 to 18 years old, you’ll have a little watery rim and a deep garnet color. Sight can tell you a lot about age.
Do sommeliers drink beer?
Sure – Fourth of July on the beach, absolutely.
What was your embarrassing teenage wine experience?
Oh my god. We would chug Mad Dog 20/20. When I drank Beringer White Zin, I felt like a grown-up. [Laughs.] It’s OK – the mistakes of youth.
There are something like 10,000 different winegrapes and 100,000 wineries. How hard is it to learn wine?
There is a fun story that stuck with me. A wealthy guy from Texas lands in Napa and tells a winemaker, “I’d like to learn everything you know about wine. I have an hour-and-a-half.” [Laughs.] It’s vast. The study of wine – not many people do it. You have to skin your knee and get back up. It takes decades of your life, and it’s ever-changing.
So do you find it hard to talk about wine with novices?
No. I learned as a young bartender to connect with people. I’ll ask questions – “What do you like to drink?” I was always fascinated with people, food, wine, travel – things that bring people together.
What do you like to do besides wine?
Hanging out with my husband and our two labradors. We love to travel. He’s so supportive. He takes me to every competition. We have an RV and take the four-legged kids.
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