After reading Classics at Oxford, where he was a member of the university's blind tasting team, Tim Marson went straight into the wine business, initially on the retail side with Oddbins, followed by several leading independent specialist merchants in London. He moved to trade sales with Richards Walford, and then to buying with Bibendum Wine Ltd. Tim relocated to California in 2011 and is currently a Senior Buyer at Wine.com, the USA's most important online wine and spirits retailer.

Primary area(s) of work: Trade

Industry sector(s): Sales, Agency/Importer, Off trade, Buying, Educator, Consultant, Wine judge

Wine styles: Fine and rare wines, Sparkling wine, Champagne, Sweet wines, Fortified wines, Still white, Still red, Still rosé, Still wines

Wine region expertise: Austria, Canada, Chile, Germany, Greece, Portugal, South Africa, USA, Western Cape, France, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Languedoc, Roussillon, Loire, Champagne, UK, Spain, Italy, California, Washington, Oregon

Market expertise: North America, United Kingdom

Specialisms: Blending, Marketing wine, Supplier/customer relationships, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Routes to market, Importation, Direct to consumer, Independent retail, Events, Food and wine pairing, Wine labels, Supply chain efficiency, Wine judging