Lifestyles

As an upbeat wine professional known nationally as The Wine Coach, Laurie Forster presents innovative wine events and seminars, regularly records her "Something to Wine About" radio show, and leads international wine tours to Piedmont, Italy. She is working to create the soon-to-be-launched "Pour on the Joy" Web site in partnership with a major Australian wine producer, Lindemans.

Yet, like many Americans, Forster grew up happily without wine at the family dinner table.

After graduating from Penn State University and becoming a corporate sales manger, ordering wine for clients at upscale restaurants became an intimidating experience with overwhelming choices of unfamiliar producers and wine regions.

"I learned a lot on my own about pronunciations and pairing food and wine," Forster says. Her passion for sharing and discussing wine exploded and steadily expanded.

While "making great money" at the corporate gig, Forster's nagging dissatisfaction led her to a life coach. A thorough self-assessment pinpointed her two primary passions: working with people and wine.

"I took a radical sabbatical to begin training as a life coach myself while also studying with the American Sommeliers Association," Forster says. "I thought I'd be one or the other."

In presenting life-coaching events, however, Laurie recognized wine "as huge connector."

"When people tasted and learned about wine and felt comfortable, they also started learning about each other through deep conversations," she says.

Then it clicked: Combine the passions for coaching and wine to become "The Wine Coach."

"Wine is a powerful metaphor for life," Forster says. "What you learn about wine, you can apply to life."

She encapsulates The Wine Coach's mission simply as "helping people to learn about wine and the things that bring them joy in fun and approachable ways." She promotes the proverb, "Over a bottle of wine many a friend is made."

After having a child and relocating with her chef husband to Maryland's Eastern Shore, Forster is full-throttle on "wine coaching" and collaborating with Lindemans, a winery that was founded in 1843 by Dr. Harry Lindeman with the belief that "wine's one purpose is to bring happiness."

The "Pour on the Joy" approach grew out of a consumer survey in which 68 percent of Americans said they want "more joy" in their lives. Sixty percent of the respondents also said they derive tremendous joy through sharing time with friends and family over good food and wine.

Lindemans turned to Forster to help put together a coaching guide for friends and families to taste and learn about wine while learning about life and each other.

Forster, whose favorite wine is "the one you share with the people you care about," created "TLC for the Bottle and the Soul" as the first of six downloadable sections for the "Pour on the Joy" website.

She gives tips on caring for wine "to make sure it tastes great when served." Forster asks, "You wouldn't leave either a plant or a pet in a hot car's trunk, so should the case of wine just purchased be left there?"

And just as wine critically needs "tender loving care," Forster makes the same point about "self care."

"Regeneration and rejuvenation are essential for the care of our bodies and minds," Forster says. Her handy tips guide participants on committing with friends and family on practical "self care" follow-through.

"Meanwhile, the wine brings everything together," she says, as everybody relaxes and enjoys the wine-tasting experience. Repeating the experience, Forster urges, is essential.

"Every day is an opportunity to learn something new, and it is our job to go on learning and overcome insecurities," she says. "You don't have to be rich to enjoy a good bottle of wine."

For starters, try the Lindemans "Bin 75" Riesling, Australia (9553, on sale $6.99) -- a crisp and fruity white with grapefruit aromas and flavors through a soft, dry finish -- and Lindemans "Bin 50" Shiraz, Australia (5829, on sale $6.99) -- a fruity, well-balanced red with light, spicy notes through a soft, round finish.

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