This Is TASTE 686: Cha McCoy Is Doing Wine Pairings for the People
Nov 14, 2025
Cha McCoy, a Harlem entrepreneur and sommelier, shares her journey from engineering to wine with infectious enthusiasm. She discusses her book, 'Wine Pairing for the People,' and how it democratizes wine knowledge through storytelling and cultural context. Cha emphasizes making wine accessible, challenging traditional pairing rules, and celebrating diverse food cultures alongside wines. Also featured are tasty highlights from Matt and Aliza’s recent discoveries in Korea and NYC, enriching the conversation around food and culture.
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Italy Sparked A Wine Obsession
- Cha fell into wine while living in Rome during an MBA and explored vineyards as weekend trips.
- Returning to Harlem she translated that curiosity into a part-time wine shop job and deeper study.
From Apartment Tastings To Public Dinners
- Cha McCoy started The Communion as intimate wine tastings in her apartment after seeing a tasting event in Paris.
- The dinners grew from friends to strangers and moved into restaurants as demand outgrew her living room.
Write To Make Wine Accessible
- Do center a wine book on accessibility and cultural storytelling to reach new audiences.
- Use dinners, shops, and underrepresented producers to map and scale that mission into a book.
