Arlene King: Our Sommelier - From Love of Fashion to Love of Wine

'Always fascinated by those who leap into the wine trade as a second career. Have a read of Arlene's journey from Fashion to Wine

My love for wine began after having my first glass of vintage fine wine. What a wine tasting experience that was. Pure perfection in a glass was the Chateau Margaux 1982. This led me wanting to understand more about wine - how it is produced and what makes it so good. I was intrigued!

I started my journey into the world of wine in 1998, selling only first growth vintage wine to private clients in the UK, through Goldman Williams Private Clients Portfolio Management. A

company started back in 1997 but no longer is around. I worked alongside some of the leading Wine Merchants such as Bordeaux Index, Farr Vintners, Wilkinson and Millesima. Through my relationship with these now leading wine merchants, I developed a deeper understanding and knowledge of first growth Bordeaux Wines and developed great relationships that’s now stem over a decade.

Over time my interest grew, leading me to doing small courses, until I came across Berry Bros. and Rudd wine school. My educator was Ms Rebecca Lamont, an educator who I will never forget, warm, caring and passionate. She has such knowledge of wine that transcends. It was like sitting with a friend, sipping and chatting about wine every week.

I completed level 2 at The Wine and Spirit Education Trust and decided after, The Court of Master Sommelier was a better fit for the path I was now on and in June 2023, I received my diploma from the UK Sommelier Association.

In August of this year I will be re-sitting my certified sommelier exams at the The Court of Master Sommelier. This exam I had great challenged initially due to my lack of restaurant service experience. Therefore, service and blind tasting technique I had to learn to develop over time. Truth to be told, I was having a conversation with Queena Wong, outside of Trivet Restaurant in London and after expressing my struggles and how I am willing to offer my service to any restaurant, one day a week to develop that skill, she turned around and introduced me to Isa Bal, Master Sommelier and part owner of Trivet Restaurant. Queena is a

woman pioneer in wine. Having spent time at Trivet and the team who are all on their journey to becoming a Master Sommelier, I have gained knowledge that I can proudly say I have great confidence in the service area of a restaurant compared to my first day, where I was a deer in headlight.

Prior to finding wine as a career path, I started my professional career in fashion, gaining various campaigns including Red Stripe, Heineken, Neutrogena, Pepsi etc., and traveling the world representing my country, Jamaica as Miss Jamaica Model International.

When I moved to the UK, it was initially the love of fashion that brought me here. Little did I know that fashion would lead me to a career in wine, which has now become my new love.

Everything about wine is incredible! Including drinking it. The aspects affecting wine, the history, the terroir, and all the elements within the parameters of the vine that determine the outcome of what we receive in our glasses. The hard work and dedication from the producers. To a girl from Jamaica, this was fascinating, educational, and surely gave me a newfound respect for Geography and History.

In 2005, the fine wine market started growing at a rapid rate. Wine became more and more popular around the world. China, Hong Kong, and Singapore’s involvement changed the world of wine as we see it today.

As awareness of the wine market increased, clients’ demands grew, and their palates became more sophisticated. In response to the industry’s growth, I saw a business opportunity and in 2013, I started my company Our Sommelier. Creating a

platform for vineyards who are producing excellent wines and introduce them to private clients in the UK.

We now offer a personal sommelier service to private clients who loves to entertain, appreciate luxury, and want a better understanding of fine wine on a more personal level at home on their yacht and private jets. We also source Rare Vintage Wines for private collectors across the globe. I have come full circle!

Recently we grew into the corporate space, working with corporate companies on private events, giving advice on purchases, investments and host wine tasting events for their in-

house team. This I enjoy allot! We seek widely to gain more private clients as well, clients who have private cellars in their home to maintain and manage.

The team consist of professional trained Sommeliers and waiters. In 2021, Our Sommelier won Best Online Wine Merchant and Luxury Wine Retailer of the year in 2024 at the SME UK Enterprise Awards. In additional, I was awarded the French Wine Scholar scholarship from The Taylor’s Port Golden Vines.

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