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

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

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

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