A career in wine came about by chance rather than design, with brief sojourns at Harrods, Mothercare and trading in potato futures. A languages background (French, German and Italian at degree and post-graduate level) helped with wine name pronounciation considerably. By circuitous route ended up in Germany having started off in the far north of Scotland, exchanging the charmed life of a buyer for the less respectable life of a salesperson. Penultimate role at Thierry's enhanced knowledge of French cartography. Argentinian barbecues and the meaning of life in relation to the UK supermarket trade. Romance with a German chef improved Air Miles status and resulted in ultimate relocation to preserve sanity. Contact with the UK continued as Export Sales Director for Reh Kendermann based at the confluence of three German wine-producing regions. Now working exclusively for tastebyflemming, lecturing, holding tastings, seminars and culinary wine events, as well as translating wine and food texts. Hobbies include eating my way around the Michelin starred restaurants of Europe and ironing. www.tastebyflemming.de Instagram @tastebyflemming

Primary area(s) of work: Trade

Industry sector(s): Educator, Off trade, QA/QC, Sales, Wine judge

Wine region expertise: Germany, Italy, Mosel, Pfalz, Rheinhessen

Market expertise: Europe, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom

Specialisms: Blending, Bottling, Bulk shipment, Preparation of finished wine for bottling, Packing and labelling, Quality assurance and control, Sensory evaluation , Branding, Food and wine pairing, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Marketing wine, Restaurant wines, Routes to market, Supplier/customer relationships, Supermarket and multiple retail, Wine judging