Ray Isle

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Ray Isle Discussing The World in a Wineglass

Ray Isle in conversation with Sharon Sevrens

Ray Isle on CBS Mornings

Ray Isle on CBS Mornings

Ray Isle on the best holiday wines

Speech Topics

Wine is far more than just a beverage—it’s history, culture, science, and human connection poured into a glass. In this engaging and thought-provoking keynote, Ray Isle, one of the world’s leading voices in wine, explores the deeper significance of wine in our lives. Drawing on his decades of experience writing about wine for Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and beyond, Isle takes audiences on a journey through the vineyards of the world, revealing how wine reflects who we are, where we come from, and where we’re headed.

In his engaging keynote presentation, Ray Isle takes audiences on an extraordinary journey through the rich and complex world of wine. Drawing from his extensive experience writing about wine, Isle weaves a captivating narrative about wine’s evolution, its cultural significance, and its profound impact on civilization.

From its ancient origins to the refinement of modern winemaking techniques, Isle explores the pivotal moments and figures that have shaped the global wine industry. He delves into how wine has transcended from a simple agricultural product to a symbol of art, culture, and even politics, tracing its influence across continents and centuries.

In this timely presentation, Ray Isle delves into the profound connection between wine production and environmental stewardship. As a leading wine expert, Isle shares his deep understanding of how the wine industry is uniquely positioned to both affect and be affected by environmental factors.

Isle explores the impact of climate change on grape growing and wine production, highlighting the innovative methods that wineries are adopting to adapt to and mitigate these changes. His talk offers an engaging exploration of how the wine industry is evolving to create a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.

Join Ray Isle for an extraordinary evening of wine education and tasting. With his rich storytelling background and years of industry knowledge, Ray effortlessly guides attendees through each pour, offering both practical insights and compelling narratives that make wine more accessible and enjoyable for all. Contact Worldwide Speakers Group for further details.

Biography

Ray Isle has been writing full-time about wine since 2000, when he was offered a job as a senior editor at Wine & Spirits magazine. In 2005, he moved to Food & Wine, where he now oversees all wine coverage for what has become one of the world’s most far-reaching multi-platform culinary brands. He writes the monthly “What to Drink Next” column as well as regular feature articles for F&W’s print issues. He is also the wine editor for Travel + Leisure, where he publishes regular feature articles. His book, The World in a Wineglass, a USA Today bestseller, was published in 2023 by Scribner/Simon & Schuster.

Born in Houston, Isle graduated with a B.A. in English from Rice University. He also holds an M.A. in creative writing from Boston University, and has been a Stegner Fellow and Jones Lecturer in creative writing at Stanford University. Outside of wine, his short stories have appeared in a variety of literary publications including Triquarterly, Agni, The Utne Reader, and others.

Isle’s writing on wine and spirits has appeared in Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, Departures, Wine & Spirits, The Washington Post, and many other national publications. He has won the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) award for narrative beverage writing multiple times, the American Food Journalists award for beverage writing, and the North American Travel Journalists Association gold award for his work. He has also been nominated three times for a James Beard Award in beverage writing, and his work has also appeared in the Best American Food Writing series.

Isle speaks about wine and beverage topics regularly on national media. He has been a frequent guest on NBC Today and CBS Mornings, and has also appeared on CNBC’s On the Money and Squawkbox, ABC’s The View, Weekend Today, as well as on radio with NPR’s The Splendid Table and All Things Considered, and WNYC’S All of It. He frequently speaks about wine and the wine business at national wine and food events, both for consumers and for the trade, and regularly gives tastings and talks for corporate clients. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.

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