How did you get into wine?

I actually have an old boss to thank. Many years ago I was working as a Content Writer for a media company called Zazzle Media, and the Director, Simon Penson, suggested I start a blog about something I enjoyed alongside work.

I had always loved wine, but more importantly, I was curious about it. So I started a wine blog called Wining Away the Weekend. These days I probably drink more during the week than I do at the weekend, and my interests have expanded beyond wine, so the name eventually changed to Georgie Drinks. I can’t promise I won’t change it again.

Was there a particular wine that made you fall in love?

I have to say it was a glass of house wine in a pop-up burger bar in Old Town Geneva that sent me down the rabbit hole. I remember telling anyone who would listen how good that glass of wine was.

People kindly suggested, “Maybe it was an Amarone,” or “Maybe it was a Rioja,” and so began the search.

My first solo adventure was a trip to Valpolicella in pursuit of Amarone, and purely by chance Vinitaly happened to be on while I was there. I was completely blown away by the generosity of the industry and the contagious enthusiasm people had for sharing their passion for wine.

I believe I’ve since found the wine I had that day — it was Swiss, obviously. Alpine wines remain some of my favourite wines in the world.

What’s your background?

During my A-Levels I actually wanted to be a doctor, so I was studying Maths, Biology, Chemistry and English, just for fun. After some fairly gruelling work experience in my local hospital, I realised I’d made a terrible mistake. I found the smells unbearable and the lack of fresh air completely insufferable.

Fortunately, I could fall back on English, which I went on to study at university. I graduated with a very average degree and the vague dream of becoming a journalist.

I worked at Bauer Media before deciding that marketing might suit me better. Over the years I’ve had some wonderful jobs and met some fantastic people. My last full-time role before going self-employed was Marketing Manager at Schöffel Country. It was a dream job with the most supportive and passionate team. I’m incredibly grateful they gave me the freedom to keep growing my wine blog while I was there, which also made it a very difficult company to leave. The Game Fair is one of my fondest employed memories.

Do you have a favourite wine?

I get asked this all the time, and the honest answer is no.

I’m incredibly fickle and I love trying wine from all over the world. That said, I do have familiar favourites. I love white wines from the Northern Rhône with that slightly oxidative character. It’s never a bad idea to open Champagne. Bourgogne will never be beaten. I almost always order Rioja at the pub. I will cry over a great vintage of Bordeaux. And I have a real soft spot for Saint-Émilion because I love Merlot.

So choosing just one would be impossible.

What are you doing when you aren’t drinking wine?

Drinking whisky.

What does a day in your life look like?

It varies massively from day to day, which is one of the best things about being self-employed. From hosting tastings to creating drinks content for social media, no two days are quite the same.

Favourite region to visit?

Another impossible question to answer. I’ve been incredibly lucky to visit so many wine regions. As a foodie, I love experiencing new cultures through their food as much as their wine.

Travelling through Bourgogne was unforgettable, and we even did a cookery school there which was incredible. I’ve also been lucky enough to travel thanks to other drinks too — rum once took me to Guatemala, and whisky even took me to Singapore.

What’s on your bucket list?

South Africa is very high on the list.

What is Georgie Drinks?

A lot of people don’t really understand what I do for work because, from the outside, it probably just looks like I’m having a lot of fun.

What started as a small wine blog has grown into a community of nearly 50,000 people who follow along to learn more about wine, whisky and the wider drinks world.

For me, it’s the perfect excuse to stay curious and keep learning.