Linda Simpson was a successful futures and options trader in the City when her passion for wine blossomed. After intensive study and experience as a collector, Linda moved into the business full time, and was head-hunted to work for several leading wine producers on their marketing campaigns, tastings and promotional work. She became a wine advisor for leading chain Oddbins and was selected to judge the International Wine Challenge in 2000.  

In 2001 Linda began working for Wine Australia UK in their London office, organising events, and initiating marketing and trade and press visits to Australia. Linda passed the prestigious Wine & Spirit Education Trust basic and higher certificates and Diploma with flying colours and attended several wine making courses at Plumpton College, gaining a Merit in Sensory Evaluation of Wine.

Now freelance, Linda’s focus is wine education and promotion. As a WSET Certified Educator, Linda is an exam marker up to diploma level for the WSET and is on the judging panel for the IWSC. If you see a gold medal on a bottle of wine – Linda may have awarded it. As a respected member of the wine industry Linda is involved in numerous events and was part of the wine trade team who successfully completed the Medoc Marathon 2005 in aid of Prostate Cancer research.

Although Linda has many years experience with Australian wines via her association with Wine Australia and visits to the regions, Rhône and Alsace are also regularly explored on the ground and in the glass. Linda’s tutored tastings vary widely from small wine groups to large public events, both in Britain and abroad and include the systematic approach in order to improve tasting skills and knowledge, in a friendly, informal and fun way.

Qualifications

WSET Diploma 2003

Plumpton College Degree Course - Sensory Evaluation of Wine 2003 (merit)

Plumpton College Degree Course – Viticulture and Winemaking 2003

WSET Higher Certificate 1996

WSET Certificate 1995 

Memberships –

AWE Member of the Association of Wine Educators  www.wineeducators.com

AIWS Associate of the Institute of Wines and Spirits

WSET Certified Educator  www.wset.co.uk