Restaurateur and co-owner of restaurant group Gilbey’s, Michael Gilbey, reveals his love of French wine, why he believes in importing directly and how the restaurant trade has changed since Gilbey’s first opened in 1975.

The inimitable chief winemaker of d’Arenberg in the McLaren Vale Chester Osborn reveals his fondness for the food and drink offering at the Mandarin Oriental and explains how London has the most diverse wine scene.

Following the publication of our guide to the best restaurants in London for wine, we felt it high time we shone a brighter light on those responsible for those lists. Here, we offer a run down of WLC’s Top 10 Most Powerful Sommeliers in London.

Andreas Rosendal, director of wine at Flemings in Mayfair, on unlocking his love of wine with a bottle of Trimbach, tasting a 1984 La Tâche from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and his first ‘celebrity somm crush’.

Matteo Montone, director of wine at Berners Tavern, shares his dispassion for Sauvignon Blanc, recalls what it was like to serve Rod Stewart, and how working in London’s wine trade is like playing in the premier league.

Hans Weinefalk Larsson took over the task of managing the gargantuan list at wine Mecca Hide late last year, after the departure of the restaurant’s director of wine, Piotr Pietras MS. Here, he shares his love of Rhône, dislike of Dolcetto and respect for Hugh Jackman.

When it comes to influential sommeliers, Gerard Basset and Ronan Sayburn lead the pack. Lauren Eads finds out why they are held in such high esteem by their peers, and how they have inspired a new generation of drinks professionals.

Former UK Sommelier of the Year 2016, Terry Kandylis, head sommelier at 67 Pall Mall, is not a fan of Pinotage, once served Brad Pitt, and why engaging with customers and telling winemakers’ stories is his favourite part of the job.

Giovanni Ferlito, head of wine and beverages at The Ritz, reveals the perils of maintaining an 800-bin wine list, what it was like to serve Madonna, and why London is simply the best city in the world to be a sommelier.

Giovanni Ferlito, head of wine and beverages at The Ritz, reveals the perils of maintaining an 800-bin wine list, what it was like to serve Madonna, and why London is simply the best city in the world to be a sommelier.

Daniele Chelo, head sommelier at Clos Maggiore in London, got his big break at Jason Atherton’s Michelin-starred City Social, dreams of a vineyard in Langhe, and might have ended up a taxi driver had his path not led to the world of wine.

In the latest installment of our Guilty Pleasures series, in association with Côtes du Rhône Wines, we chat game birds and the joys of Côtes du Rhône Villages with head sommelier of The Bleeding Heart Group, Yann Prigent.