Maxine Borcherding

Maxine Borcherding, Chef, Sommelier, lover of wine, fine food, and good whiskey; travel enthusiast, writer and passionate educator, is the founder of the Taste and Compare Academy of Wine, Spirits and Food. Retired from 16 years as Lead Chef Instructor at the Oregon Culinary Institute, she is happily spending her “retirement” in Alcobaca, Portugal with Portugal the Place, teaching consumer and professional level classes in wine and food, and leading food, wine and history tours.

Maxine’s professional certifications include Sommelier (International Sommelier Guild), French Wine Scholar (French Wine Academy), Spanish Wine Educator (Wine Academy of Spain), and Wine Location Specialist (Center for Wine.Origins).
 
Maxine is first and foremost a writer and educator who excels at making wine accessible and approachable to both consumers and hospitality staff without jargon or pretension.