As part of the 2026 London Wine Competition judging panel, we are delighted to welcome Beans Boughton MW, a UK-based wine buyer, consultant, and Master of Wine whose career spans multiple continents and sectors of the global trade. Beans has worked extensively across the UK, UAE, and Indian Ocean markets, managing fine wine portfolios and developing route-to-market strategies for producers around the world.

In his current role as Buyer at Alliance Wine, Beans focuses on sourcing, portfolio strategy, and championing wines that balance authenticity, quality, and commercial viability. His background across retail, importing, distribution, and consultancy gives him an unusually rounded perspective — one rooted in the realities of what it takes for a wine to succeed in both the trade and with consumers.

As a Master of Wine, Beans brings a level of analytical rigour, tasting precision, and market insight that enriches every judging panel. The London Wine Competition ensures that each judging team includes at least one MW or Master Sommelier, anchoring the evaluation process in world-class expertise — a standard that Beans helps uphold.

Who or what inspired your journey into wine?

Alan McKechnie — owner of the precursor to Gloucestershire’s Three Choirs Vineyard — along with formative bottles of Coulée de Serrant and Pomerol.

Your favourite UK restaurant to enjoy wine (outside of your workplace)

The Fox Fine Wine, next to Moorgate tube.

About Fox Fine Wines & Spirits:

Housed in a beautifully restored Grade II-listed former umbrella shop, Fox Fine Wines & Spirits is one of the City’s most characterful wine bars and specialist shops. With more than 300 wines available across a relaxed bar, dining space, and private tasting rooms, Fox pairs an impressive selection with approachable hospitality — making it a favourite destination for trade professionals like Beans.

Your favourite UK wine shop (not your own venue)

Bottle Apostle (London) and Oxford Wine Company (Oxford).

About Bottle Apostle:

One of Beans’s preferred places to explore wine in London, Bottle Apostle first opened in 2009 in Victoria Park with a mission to make wine accessible to everyone — from complete beginners to seasoned drinkers. Its education-driven, unintimidating approach resonated quickly, leading to new locations in Crouch End, Clapham, and Primrose Hill. Thoughtful staff guidance and a diverse, well-curated selection make Bottle Apostle a standout spot that aligns perfectly with Beans’s belief in wine discovery rooted in curiosity and clarity.

About Oxford Wine Company:

Another shop Beans holds in high regard is the Oxford Wine Company, an independent retailer celebrated for its wide-ranging, thoughtfully sourced selection of wines from around the world. Known for its knowledgeable yet welcoming staff, OWC combines expertise with approachability, helping customers navigate everything from everyday favourites to unique finds. Its blend of quality, passion, and customer-focused service mirrors the values Beans champions within the trade.

Go-to wine under £20

Tenuta Olim Bauda’s Barbera d’Asti ‘La Villa’.

Beans’s go-to wine under £20 is Tenuta Olim Bauda’s Barbera d’Asti ‘La Villa’, a benchmark example of Piedmontese craftsmanship at exceptional value. Known for its vibrant fruit, supple texture, and elegant balance, ‘La Villa’ delivers the kind of varietal purity and drinkability that make Barbera such a beloved everyday wine among industry professionals. Its combination of depth and approachability reflects exactly the kind of quality-for-price ratio Beans advocates for.

Consumers can purchase this wine directly from Virgin Wines here

A wine region you think is underrated?

Nizza DOCG.

Beans highlights Nizza DOCG as one of the most underrated wine regions today — and with good reason. Situated in the heart of Piedmont’s Monferrato area, Nizza DOCG is dedicated exclusively to 100% Barbera, showcasing the grape at its most expressive and age-worthy. The region’s combination of lower yields, stricter production rules, and carefully selected hillside vineyards results in wines with remarkable concentration, freshness, and finesse. Nizza’s Barbera offerings often rival far more famous Piedmont appellations, yet remain accessible in both price and profile. For buyers and sommeliers seeking authenticity, precision, and value, Nizza DOCG delivers some of Italy’s most compelling red wines — making it a natural favourite for Beans Boughton MW.

To explore more about Beans’s favourite wine region, visit the Associazione Produttori del Nizza site — all excellent resources for learning about the terroir, producers, and tasting opportunities that make Nizza one of Italy’s most exciting red wine appellations.

A wine trend you’re excited about for 2026?

“My first glass on January 1st.”

 A playful nod to the sense of discovery that each new year brings.

For wineries thinking of entering, what makes the London Wine Competition stand out?

“The holistic approach to judging is what sets the London Wine Competition apart. Critical, unbiased feedback on the wine in the glass is essential — but LWC goes further, stepping into the shoes of the end customer to assess how confident they’ll feel picking that bottle off the shelf or displaying it on their dining table.”

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One piece of advice you’d give to wineries entering the London Wine Competition

“Only send in bottles you would be proud to sell at cellar door. This is not a competition for tank samples or undressed bottles.”

Related Interview: The Role of Packaging in Wine Marketing

Watch Beans Boughton MW discuss how packaging influences consumer confidence and trade success. In this interview, Beans speaks with Sid Patel, CEO of London Competitions, about why packaging matters just as much as what’s in the bottle. He explains how design, storytelling, and shelf appeal play a crucial role in consumer decision-making — and why producers entering competitions should think beyond liquid quality to the complete product proposition.

Header Image (Beans Boughton MW left and Sid Patel, CEO of Beverage Trade Network right).

Closing Reflection

Having your wines judged by Beans Boughton MW means placing them before one of the industry’s highest qualifications — a Master of Wine whose decisions influence portfolios and buying strategies across key markets. His approval signals to importers, distributors, and on-trade partners that your wines not only excel in quality but also meet the commercial expectations required to thrive in today’s competitive global wine landscape.

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