Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan always demonstrated a deep passion and drive for excellence. You could say she’s an over achiever.

By age 11, she played violin in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) orchestra. She was first seat violin, a football and basketball cheerleader, and a lead in all the school musicals through high school. Receiving an academic scholarship for highest honors, she attended the international business program at The University of Denver, graduating cum laude.

She passed Citicorp’s Corporate Management Associates Program after achieving the Series 7 and 63 License with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). She then transferred to Citicorp’s London office where she worked on financial models as a Management Associate. She gained considerable experience dealing with high-status and influential clients. However, don’t judge this book by its cover. In addition to her academic and classic achievements, she also holds her brown belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Where does wine come in? It was a business lunch in London that changed Jennifer’s life forever. An herb crusted salmon and Sancerre pairing ignited a new passion, opening her eyes to the world of wine. From that lunch on, she was insatiable for knowledge on all things wine.

Jennifer, now 37, is one of only five women and 27 people in the US to ever attain the international title of Master of Wine (MW), the highest accolade and the most difficult wine title to achieve in the world. She was also honored with an international tasting trophy for her palate by the Institute of Masters of Wine in 2008 and holds an additional 5 leading industry certifications. She is also listed in 2011 Who’s Who in International Wine & Spirits.

She is quickly rising as one of media’s best featured “go to” experts on wine and spirits. She holds the world’s top wine title (MW), has trained thousands in the industry, judges in international wine and spirits competitions, and is a frequent guest on national television and featured in world class publications.

In the last couple years alone, Jennifer has been featured 9 times on national television including NBC’s Today Show, Fox Business, Fox News, Bloomberg TV as well as local segments such as WB11 (NY), CBS 4 and Deco Drive (FL), Plum TV (NY), and Dallas 33. She has also been featured on Sirius XM Radio, Martha Stewart Radio and Bloomberg Radio.

For her expertise she has been featured in Oprah Magazine, Crain’s Business, Reuters, Gotham, Wine Enthusiast, Wine & Spirits and The New York Times. With her newly launched DVD series The Everyday Guide to Wine by The Great Courses, Jennifer has also been featured in USA Today, Food & Wine, and The New York Times.

With an award winning palate and energetic, dynamic personality, Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan hosted seminars with famous Food Network Stars such as Rachel Ray, Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence, Mario Batali and Jacques Pépin. She also visited to view the White House Wine Cellar with The White House Food & Beverage Director and meet White House Chef Cristeta Comerford in 2009 and 2010.

Currently, Jennifer is completing two books and preparing for her next DVD series with The Great Courses.