Emma Dawson MW entered the wine world after a first career in film and media. Learning about wine started as a hobby. But this changed after she took a chance move into the retail world and started working in Sainsbury's supermarket. Whilst completing her WSET diploma she joined their wine department. She was awarded two scholarships from WSET during these studies; the Champagne Academy scholarship and Worshipful Company of Distiller's scholarship. She also started to run a new type of wine tasting called the Naked Grape for charity. From then, Marks & Spencer asked her to join their team as a buyer and she was offered the WSET Derouet Jameson scholarship to study on the Master of Wine Study Programme. She worked at Marks & Spencer for nine years in several buying areas; across wine and spirits. In 2019 she joined Berkmann Wine Cellars as senior wine buyer. At Berkmann her responsibilities include Bordeaux, Alsace, Loire, Southern Italy and South America. Among her specialism is a focus on lesser known wine regions including; Greece, Lebanon, Israel, Georgia, Turkey, Bolivia, Japan, India and Brazil. She is also co founder of 52grapes.com a new project launched in 2018.

Current employer: Berkmann Wine Cellars

Primary area(s) of work: Trade

Industry sector(s): Events, QA/QC, Marketing, Distribution, Agency/Importer, Off trade, On trade, Buying, Journalism, Educator, Consultant, Wine judge

Wine styles: Orange wines, Champagne, Still white, Still red, Still rosé, Still wines

Wine region expertise: Aconcagua Valley, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Casblanca Valley, Chile, Colchagua Valley, Georgia, Greece, Lebanon, Limari Valley, Mendoza, San Juan, South Australia, Western Australia, South America, France, Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire, Champagne, Jura/Savoie, Jerez, Italy, Maipo Valley, Veneto/Friuli, Israel, Sicily

Market expertise: Europe, United Kingdom

Specialisms: Blending, Packing and labelling, Quality assurance and control, Marketing wine, Financial and commercial structures, Supplier/customer relationships, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Routes to market, Importation, Distribution, HORECA, Direct to consumer, Supermarket and multiple retail, Events, Broadcasting, Food and wine pairing, Restaurant wines, Wine labels, Branding, Wine judging