Oumy Diaw

Teaches at Astor Center

Oumy Diaw is the first official Champagne Sommelier™ in the world. She is one of the rarest people in the wine industry fully specialized and dedicated to Champagne. She entered the wine industry in 2002 when picked to be a Champagne buyer for one of the most high-profile department stores and gourmet shops in Paris, France. She supervised the Champagne program and Champagne events of the wine cellar including the seven delis and restaurants of the site. She self-proclaimed herself “Champagne Sommelier” as there was no official job title (except being chef de rayon champagne in French), which became her trademark title and its concept followed naturally. She then worked as an export brand manager for several Champagne Houses between the UK, USA and West Africa while still based in Paris. Today she lives in New York, founding her own company The Champagne Sommelier™, a brand management consulting agency, while pioneering the title and a building a unique Champagne tasting grid and protocol which became her basis to build and sell any champagne houses at any time of the year. She consults for major Champagne importers and Producers between Europe, America and Africa. She is also a photographer. She holds a Bachelor Degrees in Finance, and a DEUG Biochemistry, Genetics and Biology. She is also a certified sommelier through the court of Master Sommeliers. In 2008, she was awarded Dame Chevalier by L’Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne in the New York Chapter. Recently, she contributed for Fine Champagne Magazine, the world only Champagne Magazine available today.