Sam Caporn

“I doubt anyone who has ever sat the MW exams could answer anything other than studying for that exam! For me that meant working a full-time week, studying in the evenings and both days of the weekend, so it was fairly intense. I was fortunate enough to pass both parts of the exam at the first attempt – which was a huge relief – only for my dissertation to then be failed, so I had to pick myself up and go on to do a new one. It was incredibly disheartening, but I just kept pushing myself on, having got too far down the line to quit. I honestly believe that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger – and failure can be a fairly humbling experience too as well as really learning to fight for what you want.”

“Nearly everywhere I look in wine, I see women, with many being in prominent positions too and that is only improving. From women in media, social media, Masters of Wine, winemakers, supermarket buyers, and in generic organisations – so many have women at the helm, and it is one of the many reasons I love working in the wine industry. I suspect that, compared to many different industries or politics for example, wine is ahead of the field, though as ever, there is always room for improvement. It is important that women continue to champion other women.”

“There are a number of things that are exciting at the moment but I really do think the English Wine scene is absolutely blossoming and if I look back at the wines that have really genuinely excited and surprised me in the last year – it’s been English still wines; especially Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the likes of Althorne Estate, Lyme Bay and Lympstone Manor.  I’m also really loving base still wines (for sparkling wines) that have had a bit of oak to add more texture and complexity.”

“I’d like to nominate Hannah Lunn, otherwise known on Instagram as @winewithhannah.  I think what she is doing on social media is brilliant – she’s knowledgeable, authentic, unpretentious and interesting; her content is totally relatable and useful.  There are great pieces on education and food and wine pairing along with her wine pro tips, including her SLL club (Sip Laugh Learn – remote tastings online) and also the work she does on yachts as a certified WSET educator.  There are a number of strings to her bow, but I admire her fresh, enthusiastic approach to wine that is genuinely useful and engaging.”