Fine Wine Hub

How did you get into the wine trade, specifically the Laithwaites Fine Wine Team?

I went straight into wine after graduating from university in 2002. Working first in shops around the UK and France, I joined Laithwaite’s in 2005 initially in the Wine Advisor team, before joining the Fine Wine team to help with the landmark Bordeaux 2009 primeur campaign.

What are your favourite styles of wine, are there any areas in which you specialise?

I hate to pigeonhole my tastes and do enjoy wines made in many different styles and from all over the world. That said, I tend to lean towards the Old World, and those New World wines made in cooler climates. In terms of specialisation, Burgundy and the Rhône are the areas that I co-ordinate from a Fine Wine perspective, with annual visits to taste from barrel helping me to get under the skin of these regions and the wines produced there.

Has there been a bottle that’s particular stuck in your memory?

Not a bottle, but a barrel sample. I had never tasted Château Pontet-Canet before I arrived at the property to taste the 2009 vintage, but wow, what an introduction! Packed full of such intense, complex flavours, but perfectly structures, it seemed to defy all logic

What do you do outside of the world of wine?

In common with most of my colleagues I support Liverpool when it comes to football. My rugby tastes are slightly odder. Being English, but introduced to the sport by my Welsh in-laws, I support Llanelli’s team, the Scarlets, as well as the England national side. I also love skiing, and am trying to establish a life-long love of the activity with my kids too.

How did you get into the wine trade, specifically the Laithwaites Fine Wine Team?

In short, I ended up working in Wine because after University I soon realised the most important factor in choosing a career is that you must really enjoy whatever you decide to do. Though it has some use in wine, my time spent at St Andrews University was spent studying Chemistry and then Economics. Wine was perhaps not a natural fit after that, but a career in such industries wasn’t for me. My first role in the wine trade in 2002 was working for a company who ended up being one of our suppliers, but I made the switch to Laithwaite’s and was heading up the Fine Wine Team in 2008.

What are your favourite styles of wine, are there any areas in which you specialise?

Most of my time in wine has been spent looking after our Bordeaux and Burgundy range, so I’ve grown to favour those styles. However, having spent a lot of time with Tony Laithwaite I very much echo his appreciation for wines outwith the usual, fashionable grapes and areas. I do enjoy a good Saperavi from Georgia, Tannat from Uruguay, reds from Mount Etna and like many I love many English fizz.

Has there been a bottle that’s particular stuck in your memory?

In my experience memorable wines are linked to the circumstance in which they were enjoyed. Tucking into a bottle of Château Brane-Cantenac 1989 with a trio of my closest friends with a KFC (sorry) at the end of an evening out will always stick in my memory, the wine was singing!

What do you do outside of the world of wine?

Sport takes up a lot of my free time, playing badly and supporting avidly. Leicester Tigers rugby club and Liverpool Football Club currently taking up more than their fair share of emotional energy. Though of late I’ve been spending far more time trying to keep plants alive in my new garden with varying degrees of success.

How did you get into the wine trade, specifically the Laithwaites Fine Wine Team?

I started out in the wine trade back in 2015 on the recommendation of a friend who already worked for Laithwaite’s and have been here ever since. I quickly realised that wine would be a lifelong passion and after spending a year working in the Wine Advisor team eagerly hoovering up as much knowledge as possible, I made the jump into Fine Wine.

What are your favourite styles of wine, are there any areas in which you specialise?

Being in the very fortunate position of getting to try so many different styles of wine through work, it is very hard not to appreciate a bit of everything really. I fell in love with the wines of Bordeaux after attending the 2016 en primeur tastings and in particular Château Meyney, whose wines I think are great. Predominantly though I look for wines which represent excellent value so in this vein I’m enjoying regions like Gigondas, Aglianico del Vulture, Friuli as well as the currently unfashionable sweet and fortified wines.

Has there been a bottle that’s particular stuck in your memory?

I recently tried my first bottle from the famous 1982 Bordeaux vintage, which was Château Cos d'Estournel and it certainly didn’t disappoint. I have a real soft spot for St-Estèphe anyway but the complexity and relative youthfulness of a wine which is older than me really made this standout as being a particularly excellent bottle.

What do you do outside of the world of wine?

Thankfully outside of work I have a break from hearing about Liverpool from the rest of the team! Relaxing for me includes playing guitar, trying to break the Strava cycling record down Marlborough High Street and entertaining my two children. And drinking wine of course!

How did you get into the wine trade, specifically the Laithwaites Fine Wine Team?

I am the newest member of the Fine Wine team having joined the company through the Surbiton and then Virginia Water stores back in 2013. Prior to joining Laithwaite’s I graduated with a BA (Hons) in Wine Business from Plumpton College, part of Brighton University and also became a judge for the IWC (International Wine Competition) and IWSC (International Wine and Spirit Competition). I developed a passion for wine through hospitality and whilst backpacking around wine regions in Australia which pushed me to achieve the WSET accreditations.

What are your favourite styles of wine, are there any areas in which you specialise?

There are too many to mention however my favourite styles are attuned to the environment, food and company I am with. That being said, mature Alsatian Pinot Gris and a prestige cuvée from Champagne always hit the spot.

Has there been a bottle that’s particular stuck in your memory?

Every year I look forward to the latest Super-Tuscan release of ‘Tignanello’ having opened a bottle of 2009 on my wedding day. I was also lucky to taste an 1815 Sercial Madeira for my graduation.

What do you do outside of the world of wine?

Away from the office I enjoy playing Sunday League football whilst supporting Liverpool. I am a keen rock climber and enjoy the gym. To relax I enjoy an occasional police drama, walking holidays and cooking (and eating) foreign cuisine.