Beans Boughton is a wine buyer with extensive fine wine experience. After a long stint in Dubai, Beans is now based in Oxford working for Alliance Wines. Beans is a confident communicator, eager to engage with fellow consumers at all stages of their wine journeys. Beans’ passion for wine began rummaging around Gloucestershire wine cellars at a young age. After studying Ancient History at UCL his professional engagement with wine started at Oddbins. Following a foray into the world of banking, Beans joined the team at Planet of the Grapes, completing the WSET Diploma in 2009 and moving from van driver to running a fine wine shop, bar and restaurant in the City. He gained experience buying wine in the retail, cash and carry, and wholesale distribution sectors before moving to the U.A.E. to manage the fine wine category for MMI specialising in Burgundy and Tuscany.

Current employer: Alliance Wine

Primary area(s) of work: Trade, Strategy, Communication

Industry sector(s): Project management, Marketing, Sales, Distribution, Agency/Importer, Off trade, On trade, Buying, Consultant, Wine judge, International trade, Import/Export, Market access, Wine buying, Investments

Wine region expertise: France, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Italy, Piedmont, Tuscany, California, Maremma

Market expertise: United Kingdom, England, Indian Ocean, UAE

Specialisms: Marketing wine, Investment strategies, Supplier/customer relationships, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Routes to market, Importation, Distribution, HORECA, Independent retail, Food and wine pairing, Restaurant wines, Training, Airlines, New business development, Events, Wine judging