Wayve Kolevsohn, head sommelier of Cape Town’s Ellerman House, on carving out new territory in South Africa, her desire to be a winemaker, and fainting in the middle of a restaurant.

Gaetano Giangaspero, head sommelier at City Social, on falling in love with red Burgundy, growing grapes on Mount Everest and his favourite food and wine pairing.

General manager of the Bank House in Chiselhurst, Angelika Oparczyk, on her love of Riesling and tapas, why she’d like to make wine in Poland and why a misunderstanding of the term ‘corked’ is the consumer habit that most annoys her.

Head sommelier of Soho’s Swiss-inspired Heritage Restaurant and Bar, Elena Serban, recalls trying a bottle of 1982 Cheval Blanc, how she almost ended up as a human rights lawyer and why a tray of Bellinis still gives her shivers.

Shaun McCarron, co-owner of The Little Chartroom in Edinburgh, on drinking a special bottle of 1988 Cheval Blanc, his admiration of chef Gary Usher, and accidentally spraying himself in the face with vintage Champagne mid-service.

Rémy Baben, assistant restaurant manager and wine buyer at Anthony Demetre’s Wild Honey, on serving Bill Gates, his love of Jacquesson Champagne, and an unfortunate incident involving a plate of fish stew.

Wine List Confidential, the unique wine list rating service by the drinks business, is bringing out a fully revised guide featuring London’s top 100 restaurants for wine lovers.

Seamus Williams-Sharkey, head sommelier at The Ledbury, reveals how it was a trip to the Mosel that sparked his passion for wine, why he enjoys being a sommelier in London and his love of pairing fine wine with junk food.

Head sommelier at Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant Umu, Ryosuke Mashio, tells WLC about his love of Champagne, why he’s proud to be a sommelier in London, and what he has learnt from judging saké at the International Wine Challenge.

Antonio Di Schiena, head sommelier at private members club Oswald’s in Mayfair, discovered his love for wine during a stint spent working at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Tuscany while still at school. Since then, he has worked in London, Monaco and Ibiza before joining Oswald’s in 2017.

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.

From his early days of making wine with his father in his garage, to becoming Ukraine’s top sommelier in 2013, Dmytros Goncharuk, head sommelier of Hide, Ground, tell us why it’s hard to hate a single variety.