Charlotte Kristensen, a wine writer and reviewer who sometimes samples as many as 400 wines in a week at supermarket press tastings, says a combination of professional tasting techniques, lifestyle rules and targeted beauty treatments help her manage the physical effects of heavy tasting and maintain her health and appearance.
Kristensen, who stores about 80 bottles at home and keeps additional stock in bonded storage, told YOU magazine she averages two to three bottles a week but can sample far more during concentrated tasting events. She said she relies on spitting, a Coravin device that lets her pour wine without removing the cork, and deliberate pacing to limit intake, and that she checks alcohol-by-volume percentages and generally chooses lower-ABV styles to reduce the impact of alcohol.
On the specifics of her tasting choices, Kristensen said she leans towards reds under 13% ABV, citing Bourgogne Pinot Noirs, Loire Cabernet Francs, Sicilian Frappato and lighter South African Cinsault as favourites. For white wines, she prefers lower-ABV options such as Chablis. She said she avoids spirits because they make her feel anxious and jittery, and that she tries not to drink wine after 10 p.m. on weeknights so it does not disrupt her sleep. When she does drink, she eats alongside the wine and limits daytime drinking and work lunches.
Kristensen described other practical measures to support hydration and recovery: cutting down on coffee, drinking more water and tea, and favouring cold-pressed juices for nutrient boosts. She also said she occasionally undertakes short juice or soup cleanses, and has completed a five-day detox in the past.
The wine professional also linked recent changes in her fitness and diet to personal circumstances. She began rebuilding strength with reformer Pilates in mid-2024 and took up spin classes at Psycle in Clapham after the death of her mother in September, a loss she described as “totally broken.” Kristensen said the high-energy, music-driven spin classes produced a cathartic release during a period of grief and became a regular part of her routine.
A Bupa health check that noted a slightly elevated body-mass index prompted further adjustments. Kristensen said she adopted intermittent fasting with a food window from midday to 9 p.m., practised meal planning and portion control, and prioritised protein and vegetable-based meals. She said these changes led to a 10 kg weight loss and left her slightly lighter than before pregnancy.
Kristensen described a typical week as including one to two press or work events and one to two social occasions, with additional wine at home for weekend meals such as a Sunday roast. She said she rarely accepts work lunches and tends to value quiet evenings at home after exercise, often with a protein-packed broth, some dark chocolate and an early night.
To manage visible signs of alcohol-related bloating, Kristensen said she uses lymphatic drainage facial massage and injectable treatments. She named Profhilo and Profhilo Structura for skin hydration and collagen stimulation and said she receives occasional Botox treatments from a practitioner she has used for several years. She emphasised daily sun protection with SPF 50 and said she favours fake tan for an even complexion. Kristensen also cited specific cosmetic products she uses for a radiant finish.
Kristensen’s professional milestones and personal responsibilities overlap with her health regime. She finished a wine diploma, became a columnist for YOU, and published Wine: Taste Pair Pour shortly before her mother’s death. She is also a mother to a four- and a one-year-old. In the interview she said those pressures helped shape the rules she now follows around tasting, rest and self-care.
Her comments underscore the practical adjustments a professional taster can make to manage frequent exposure to alcohol while maintaining a public profile and family responsibilities. Kristensen framed her approach as pragmatic: relying on tasting tools and spitting during work, selecting lighter wines, monitoring timing and quantity, and combining exercise, nutrition and selective aesthetic treatments to support health and appearance.