Laura set up YWS in the summer of 2011 after being made redundant when Oddbins went in to administration. In the years that followed she has lived and breathed Wine School, hosting tastings all over the region and even travelling abroad to teach in Spain.
Want to know a little bit more about Laura?
What's your favourite midweek wine? "If I am not doing midweek Wine School then I love to chill with a glass of something red from the north of Italy... Dolcetto, Barbera, Schioppettino... something delicious like that"
Most memorable wine drinking moment? "Gosh!! So many! Perhaps a moment that changed everything was sitting in my pal (and YWS backoffice guru) Su's kitchen in the winter of 2006. One of our friends (who is a winemaker in Piemonte) produced a bottle of 1990 Dom Perignon and 1990 Bollinger VV Cuvee Francais for us to drink all together. What followed were the most magical mouthfuls of wine I have experienced either before or since. Sometimes humble settings make for all the more memorable experiences."
Do you have a favourite 'non-wine' drink? "Of course! When I am 'off-duty' I probably drink more beer than wine... sours, juicy pales and proper lambic styles are my favourites."
If you were a grape variety what would you be? "I'd love to say Riesling... elegant, poised, complex and effortlessly world-class. In reality, I am probably more of a Sauvignon Blanc; noisy, enthusiastic, a bit of a try-hard, but blessed with rare moments of something a little bit special!"
What's your favourite course or tasting to teach at YWS? "Obviously I love my job and it's always a pleasure to share wine with our students and guests. For many years WSET courses have given me a platform to showcase some of our finest wines and most fascinating insights. But in the last couple of years, extending the programme with Wine Scholar Guild and our weekend Masterclasses has taken our tastings to a whole new level!"
