Since I could start drinking, I was attracted to the idea of wine. Wine, in and of itself, has come to symbolise romanticism. It has been consumed over the centuries by ancient civilisations; drunk by poets, writers and artists spurring on their most creative masterpieces (including Picasso’s Cubism movement). As these civilisations fell and artists died, their legacy, the vines they planted, the works they crafted – still remain today.

Personally, my love for wine was a slow burner. I used to be intimidated by long wine lists and endless grape varieties I had never heard of. Wine seemed too complex – not something accessible to me. I used to sheepishly order the ‘house red’ in Italian restaurants not knowing or caring about the craft behind the bottle.

That all changed in 2020 when something clicked. It was the beginning of the pandemic and as the first lockdown kicked off in March, I took up running. (Okay, Mya, stop rambling, where is this story going?) I started listening to a wine podcast that was great for both beginners and aficionados. It sort of took off from there; I would run every day and then return home picking up a bottle of whatever the podcast had discussed that day to try.

From there I read and read – eventually going on to sit a WSET 2 and passing with distinction. Nine months after that, I completed by WSET 3, also passing with distinction. Then I couldn’t help myself and sat my French Wine Scholar – but that’s a whole other kettle of fish… (or ‘poisson’…). Next stop – my WSET Diploma!

These resources, this website, Vinspiration, is what I wish I could have had when I started this crazy, wonderful journey. I hope you enjoy them and get as much value from them as possible!