A lot of my teenage years were spent in Perigueux (Dordogne Valley) with frequent visits to Bordeaux and Bergerac. Later, a boyfriend of mine worked for Gonzalez Byass Sherry and we spent about a month as guests of that family in Jerez. Both these factors sparked off what has proved to be a lifelong interest in wine.

In the 1970’s I started work in the wine trade as the only female wines and spirits representative (women were not considered to have palates in those days!) for Saccone and Speed – firstly selling mostly Blacktower and Tarragona Spanish Gold in the East End of London and finally graduating six years later to the much ‘posher’ environment of Central London and the City with such accounts as the Savoy Hotel.

Saccone and Speed sponsored me through the WSET exams up to Diplomas A and B. I started teaching Wine Studies Courses for Merton Borough Council and Surrey Council approximately 24 years ago and I retired last November. I also organized and lead tours to the vineyard regions of France (usually groups of between 30 and 40 people) for about ten years.

I teach privately for companies, associations, clubs etc. when requested. My regular commitment is with the retired gentlemen’s club known as PROBUS. I now run the Surbiton Educational Wine Club which I started ten years ago in Surrey.