Ankita Okate, Chief Growth Officer at Beverage Trade Network, interviewed Emily Carlson, Wine Director at Barndiva and Junior Buyer at Last Bottle, Inc., about her experience in the wine industry and her perspective on evaluating wines. Emily brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm, balancing roles in restaurant wine programs and online wine retail. She also shared her insights on the importance of quality, emerging wine regions, and packaging trends.

The USA Wine Ratings is a wine competition that focuses on independent producers, regional wineries, and national retailers. It aims to evaluate wines based on quality, value, and packaging to meet modern consumer preferences.

Ankita: Can you tell us a bit about your journey in the wine world? What inspired you to pursue a career in wine?

Emily Carlson: I started my career as a cook in restaurants after culinary school. I quickly realized I loved hospitality more than cooking, which sent me into the front-of-house and then into wine. While working as a Sommelier, I discovered I had a knack for the financial and organizational sides of running a profitable wine program. I am now expanding on those skills in the online wine retail world.

USA Wine Ratings Judging

Ankita: When you evaluate a wine, how do you balance quality, value, and packaging in your judging? Are there any particular aspects that tend to stand out to you?

Emily Carlson: Quality is always the most important and can never be skimped on, no matter how good the value or packaging or story is. Having wines that consistently deliver on quality in relation to price breeds trust from your customers. Once you have trust, you can introduce them to new wines that they will really enjoy, which is my favorite part of the job. But all that is built on a foundation of quality.

Ankita: Are there any regions or varietals you’re especially passionate about? What do you hope to see in this year’s entries?

Emily Carlson: I am obsessed with sparkling wine, so I always hope to see more bubbles. I am also looking forward to trying wines from less common regions. Climate change has opened up a lot of opportunities to make great wine in places that have been previously overlooked.

Whoopi Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG - Winner at 2024 USA Wine Ratings 

Ankita: In your opinion, what role does packaging play in influencing consumer perception, and how much weight do you place on it when judging?

Emily Carlson: I think packaging is playing a bigger and bigger role in consumer preferences, especially with the newest generation of wine drinkers. Thoughtful and well-executed packaging can do a lot to convey the style of the wine in the bottle, and I think it is something important to consider when evaluating if the wine overall is delivering what it promises.

Ankita: If you could share one piece of advice with a wine brand entering the USA Wine Ratings, what would it be?

Emily Carlson: My advice would be to submit not only the wine you are best known for but also something you are experimenting with. It is a great opportunity to get insight and feedback from a group of really diverse buyers.

The USA Wine Ratings is an invaluable opportunity for wine brands to gain exposure and feedback from top professionals in the wine industry. Whether you’re an independent producer or a national label, submitting your wines to this competition can help refine your approach and expand your reach in the market.

Submit your wines today to the USA Wine Ratings and make an impression in one of the most comprehensive wine competitions tailored for modern consumers.

Header Image: Emily Carlson, Judge at USA Wine Ratings

Also Read:
Meet the Buyer: Insights from Jusden Aumand, USA Wine Ratings Judge
How Jeff Slankard, Wine Director at Barons Market, Evaluates Wine
U.S. Wholesale Wine Distribution Today and What Does the Future Promises