Interview With A Sommelier – Charlie Alford

The World of Wine is beautifully showcased by an army of talented Sommeliers, who help the consumer discover their next favourite bottle, understand the different regions and pair a delicious meal with the right Glass of Bubbly.

In this feature, I speak with a man from England, who has helped many people to discover the vast world of Wines and Sparkling Wines, his name is Charlie Alford, let’s find out about his life as a Sommelier.

Tell Us About Yourself

“I’m Charlie and I’m the Assistant Head Sommelier at Le Manoir aux Quat’saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire. I’ve been a proud member of the team since May 2021 alongside a fantastic group of colleagues.

During university, I worked part-time at a local Caribbean restaurant in Oxford and experienced incredible cuisine alongside specialist rums. This opened up a love for spirits, cocktails and the process of distillation itself. After university, I worked as a research executive in London, taking steps to join a programme to become a commercial airline pilot. Plans and circumstances soon changed, and with Covid-19 being the final blow, the next logical step was to rekindle my passion and resume studying the world of wine and spirits.

Having been with the team just over two and a half years, I feel privileged to work within an environment where every member brings their passion and dedication to the guest experience.”

Do You Remember Your First Experience With Sparkling Wine? When It Was And What Kind Of Wine It Was?

“Not the first, but one which stands out has to be with Hundred Hills Blanc de Noirs. Hundred Hills is a special winery and a beautiful example of what English Sparkling is capable of.

The winery is a stone’s throw away from Le Manoir and the team recently had the opportunity to assist with their 2023 harvest in October – a great day outdoors and an opportunity to meet the grapes before the bottle.”

What Inspired You To Become a Sommelier?

“Upon studying, I was fascinated with all aspects of the process. From the soil conditions to the vine, the harvest to fermentation, all the way to the table and the stories that sit in between. As a Sommelier, you have the opportunity to not only create memorable experiences for your guests, but also showcase family traditions, cultures, and styles of wine from all over the world. It’s a humbling profession as there will always be new producers, regions, grape varieties and technologies to be explored, you are continuously learning.”

During Your Time As A Sommelier, What’s The Most Surprising & Interesting Thing You’ve Learnt?

“When it comes to wine and spirits, the overwhelming amount of options that we have today is what surprises me most. There are endless choices and combinations in producing a wine or spirit that can drastically affect the final outcome.”

What Sparkling Wine Producing Countries or Regions Hold A Special Place In Your Heart?

“Given that I work within a French restaurant, Champagne is what we pour most, with English Sparkling following close behind. Since discovering more about the region I have found myself gravitating towards Grower Champagnes as they can provide not only great quality but also great value.”

What Advice Would You Give Inspiring Sommeliers?

“I have found that the best way to learn is to try as many wines as possible – the more you try the better you understand what makes that wine special. The world of wine is vast, so start with learning a little about a lot instead of a lot about a little.”

Where’s The Most Memorable Place You’ve Enjoyed A Glass of Bubbly?

“A memory which stands out is being amongst the vines in Kamptal, Austria, enjoying a glass of Schloss Gobelsburg Blanc de Blancs.”

Thank you, Charlie, for sharing your words, knowledge and experiences with us and we at Glass of Bubbly wish you the very best for the future!

Images belong to Charlie Alford. Glass of Bubbly was granted permission, to use them.