In our latest interview series installment, we had the pleasure of speaking with Joanna Simon, the founding editor of Waitrose & Partners Drinks Magazine and a former wine critic for The Sunday Times. We sat down to discuss her illustrious career within the industry and what drives her passion for wine.  

What was your first experience within the industry?
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I joined a big hotel group (renowned for its wine lists and cellars but now defunct) as a rather grandly named Graduate Management Trainee in the wine department. I was the first and last such trainee! Although I learnt a lot from tasting, setting up tastings, working in the cellars and doing WSET courses, there wasn’t any real training programme, so I left after about a year.