About the author
There are many Victorias in the wine business - I am Victoria South and I am passionate about wine!
Working for the NHS for over 40 years as a Community Occupational Therapist for the Older People's Mental Health Service, I am now retired and can enjoy my passion.
My interest in wine started out about 35 years ago. I had always been interested in food and loved cooking, so I indulged this pleasure by entertaining and trying to match up dishes with wines I thought might pair well and compliment each other.
This lead me to become WSET [Wine and Spirit Education Trust] advanced certificated, which I took at Plumpton College, about three quarters of an hour's drive away from my home in East Sussex.
I have been Vice-Chairman of the Eastbourne Wine Society for many years and belong to several other wine clubs across Sussex, regularly presenting wines and attending numerous tastings.
I also present wine tastings and wine-matched dinners at hotels and restaurants locally and give history of wine talks at a nearby vineyard. I am lucky enough to be surrounded by vineyards all relatively close to home, so you can often find me visiting one of these and sampling their products. And I have a rival passion – history! I am a regular tour guide at Herstmonceux Castle; a 15th century masterpiece in rural Sussex and one of the first brick built castles in the country.
I love travelling and have visited many wineries throughout Europe, and also further afield in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, Argentina, Chile and South Africa. There is not a single style of wine that I do not appreciate, but sparklers and dessert wines are my absolute favourites.
You never stop learning about wine – every day really is a school day, and I hope my articles enthuse you to discover more about this fascinating subject. The proof really is in the pudding – better yet in the glass!
Cheers, Lechyd da, Sláinte, Salute, Santé, Salud, Prost, Proost, Gānbēi, Kanpai, Gesondheid!
