WORKING -- In good spirits

-- Story by Greg Risling; photo by Jeff Chong

SHE IS ...

a lady with good taste.

ALL BOTTLED UP

Diana Hirst is better than a walking wine list.

Looking for a Chilean cabernet? How about an Australian chardonnay?

Hirst, who with other family members manages the Hi-Time Wine Cellars in

Costa Mesa, can make a wine recommendation for all tastes.

From the chilly cellar below to the sales floor, there are vineyards

represented from every corner of the world. Some of the store’s buyers

are traveling to Italy and South Africa this week.

“We look for a good vintage and value in our wine,” Hirst said. “I’d say

we try a couple hundred wines a week. When you have that much to select

from, it’s hard work.”

TASTE TEST

Venturing into a store with a huge selection can be intimidating. And

although Hirst is a qualified connoisseur, she can relate to the

first-time wine taster, too.

“This is a great place to learn if you are interested,” she said. “It’s

like a free education.”

Located on Ogle Street, the 18,000-square-foot specialty store has

thousands upon thousands of wine bottles. It seems the store is stocked

to anyone’s personal preference, but no two sets of taste buds are the

same.

Hirst said while wine tasting is a good way for people to learn about

wines they have never tried, it can be difficult with all the different

selections available.

“There are almost too many choices,” she said.

MIND ON WINE

Hirst is not shy about speaking her mind on wine. And it may behoove

people to take her advice.

“Purchasing a bottle of wine requires a lot of thought. We like to share

a piece of mind,” she said.