Champagne has long been the drink of rebels, risk-takers, and rule-breakers— especially women. Take Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, better known as the Widow Clicquot, who defied 19th-century conventions to build a sparkling empire. Or Madame Pommery, who introduced brut champagne when the world was still drinking sweet. Bold women and bubbles go hand in hand.
Here in Sarasota, Gina Lyons carries on that legacy with effortless effervescent elegance. As the owner of A Vine Affair, a luxury champagne and caviar concierge service, and now co-owner of Sarasota Wine Co. with her husband Richard Lyons on Palm Avenue, Gina is our city’s undisputed champagne authority. A WSET Level 3 Connoisseur—she has mastered the art of pairing, from the perfect grower champagne to the silkiest spoonful of Ossetra.
And since we know Gina is exceptional at tests (the WSET Level 3 from Berry Bros. & Rudd is the world’s most difficult wine exam with only a 50% success rate), we gave her one of our own—an Edible Sarasota Pop Quiz. She aced this one too!
What is the best wine that nobody is trying?
Gina: I wouldn’t say that people aren’t trying a specific wine that they’re missing out on necessarily, but I do encourage people to venture outside of the box and not only stick to wines that they already enjoy. For example, we sell out of Sancerre all the time but we have many beautiful wines from the Loire Valley with a similar profile. That’s what I recommend: Go to a store like ours and take a wine region you know and explore other options in that region.
What is the best way to get out a wine stain?
Gina: Those wine pen stain removal pens that are like the Tide to Go pens—they really work! We carry them in the store. If it’s a really tough stain, then I go with OxiClean.
Any interest in becoming a winemaker?
Gina: Always! Someday down the line I will definitely make my own Champagne. I have great partners in the region that are willing to partner, but I just have to find the time to make it happen.
A glass of red wine a day is said to be good for your health. Which red wine could you drink every day?
Gina: A red Burgundy-style Oregon Pinot Noir or … I could probably drink a Beaujolais every day too.
What are some of your favorite restaurants in town?
Gina: I love Adeline, Indigenous, and Mediterraneo. I love to sit at the bar at Ocean Prime. And a big shout out to Sugar Champagne Bar for their recent opening—I’ve been very happy to align with them.
- Sarasota Wine Co
64 S Palm Ave, Sarasota
941-340-8994
sarasotawineco.com
avineaffair.com
