Today we’d like to introduce you to Joyce Lin.
Hi Joyce, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Joyce Lin. I’m a Court of Master Sommeliers certified sommelier, wine writer, wine educator, and the founder of 酒意思SIP WITH JOYCE.
My wine journey started in 2014 with the intensive sommelier training program at the International Culinary Center in Soho, New York City. Having grown up in Taiwan in a family that didn’t drink beer, wine, or hard liquor, I find America’s drinking culture captivating and am eager to explore it further.
After earning the sommelier certification with the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2015, I slowly transitioned from working in the arts to wine. I first worked in wine retail. Then, I began to write for publications like Trink Magazine, Grape Collective, and shared my food and wine pairings on my social media. Before I knew it, my wine reviews, pairing ideas, and interviews started appearing in major outlets such as Wine Enthusiast, The Somm Journal, Wine Advisor, New York Post, VinePair, SevenFifty Daily, NBC News, Modo di Bere, Delectable, and many more. My journey as a wine writer took off, and my love for wine grew deeper. Then, I started to teach wine-tasting classes, host food and wine pairing parties and dinners, help my clients build their wine collections, and work with the trade to promote the wine industry.
What truly excites me on this journey is the marriage of wine and food, particularly the craft of wine pairings. I’ve always had a passion for cooking, and merging this love with wine has filled me with immense joy. This passion has inspired me to create 酒意思SIP WITH JOYCE, a multimedia platform where I share my ideas for pairing food and wine, with a strong emphasis on matching wine with Asian cuisines.
In addition, I became a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier New York in 2022. LDNY is a prestigious nonprofit organization committed to empowering and supporting aspiring professional women in the food, beverage, and hospitality sectors. Being acknowledged and chosen to join this esteemed community strongly validates my contributions to the wine industry.
In 2025, I will celebrate a decade in the wine industry. It feels like just yesterday when I earned my sommelier certification—time has flown by!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I wish it were that simple, but there’s no such thing as a free lunch! Achieving what you desire takes dedication and hard work. As a first-generation immigrant, I’ve had to navigate the challenges of using English as my second language. Without prior experience in wine, connections, or a background in the industry, I’ve truly poured my heart and effort into getting to where I am now.
The greatest challenge I’ve encountered daily up to now is self-doubt. I frequently question myself: Am I adequate? Do I appear professional? What if there’s something I can’t answer while teaching or providing service? As a perfectionist, these concerns haunt me constantly. However, I have discovered a method to calm myself, achieve inner peace, and release the anxiety I generate within.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have the unwavering support of my husband, friends, and family. They consistently uplift me and motivate me during moments of uncertainty or doubt.
Moreover, I’ve been lucky to encounter numerous individuals in the wine industry who recognize my potential and offer opportunities or encouragement. I must have done something well to deserve this.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
酒意思 SIP WITH JOYCE is a multimedia platform encompassing Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, which I launched in 2020 amid the pandemic to showcase food and wine pairings, particularly emphasizing Asian cuisines. Additionally, it serves as a wine consulting firm, providing marketing services, content development, wine classes, food and wine pairing events, and more.
Over 24 million Asian Americans live in the United States, yet no wine expert focuses on wine pairings with Asian cuisine. Having been born and raised in Taiwan, with a deep appreciation for Asian cultures and an enthusiasm for food and wine pairing. I want to share my wine expertise to bridge the culture of wine and Asian cuisine, and that wine is accessible and can be enjoyed by a broader audience. This inspiration led to the creation of 酒意思 SIP WITH JOYCE.
Over the last four years, 酒意思 SIP WITH JOYCE has offered a variety of food and wine pairing suggestions, including brunch, burgers, desserts, and even wine pairings for spicy Chinese cuisine. You can discover a wide range of pairings across my platforms.
In 2025, 酒意思 SIP WITH JOYCE will celebrate its 5th anniversary. I will keep sharing my pairing ideas to enhance your dining experience. Let 酒意思 SIP WITH JOYCE inspire you. Cheers!
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
As I mentioned above, I’ve been very fortunate to meet so many amazing people who see my light and value. They know the worth I can bring to the table and are willing to lift me up and offer me a seat. I’m forever grateful to those who have given me support, encouragement, guidance, and opportunities. Below is just a short list of those who have helped me in the past. This list doesn’t even reflect the support I received in the past 9 years.
First, I want to thank Scott Carney, Dean of Wine Study at the Institute of Culinary Education, for being the first person to recognize my tasting ability and giving me the confidence to pursue a career in wine.
Christopher Barnes, owner of Grape Collective, kindly offered me my first opportunity to work in the industry after receiving my sommelier certification.
Stephanie Teuwen, founder and former CEO of Teuwen Communications, encouraged me with personal feedback on an article I wrote for Grape Collective. Her words gave me the confidence to pursue wine writing.
Valerie Kathawala, co-founder and co-editor of Trink Magazine, allowed me to share my unique pairing ideas and cultural heritage with a broader audience. Her belief in me gives me motivation and confidence in writing, for which I am forever grateful.
I’m also indebted to Anna-Christina Cabrales, Tasting Director at Wine Enthusiast, who believed in my abilities during the pandemic and allowed me to work alongside talented sommeliers.
Wanda Mann, the East Coast Editor of The Somm Journal and The Tasting Panel Magazine, Bylines of Food and Wine Magazine, NYC ambassador of Star Wine List, and Past President of Les Dames d’Escoffier NYl, has been a consistent supporter, nominating me for Les Dames d’Escoffier NY and providing countless opportunities to showcase my wine pairings and reviews.
Marika Vida, former Wine Director of Ritz-Carlton NY and owner of Vida et Fils Wine Consulting, has been a guiding light, offering invaluable advice on life and work that I carry with me to this day.
Lastly, I want to thank my father and my husband—without their constant support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sipwithjoyce.com
- Instagram: joyce_foodnwine
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sipwithjoyce
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyce-lin-21788a37/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sipwithjoyce
Image Credits
#1-Personal photo, Bruce Kuo
#2-Wine Tasting Class, Bruce Kuo
#3-Wine Tasting Class, Bruce Kuo
#4- Wine Tasting Class, Bruce Kio
#5-Wine Pairing with Asian Cuisine Class at Dechert LLP, Joyce Lin
#6-Wine Pairing Suggestions for Lunar New Year, Joyce Lin
#7-Food and Wine Pairing Dinner at Nunu Fine Arts, Anya Rodnik
#8-Pairing ideas specially contributed Trink Magazine, Joyce Lin
#9-Wine Pairing with Mapo Tofu, Joyce Lin
#9-The Somm Journal