Sara Muirhead MW is a freelance wine consultant who achieved her Master of Wine in 2008, writing her dissertation on the then-nascent subject of English Sparkling Wine. Her career spans wine judging, education, consultancy, and event hosting across trade and consumer sectors.

She judges regularly for respected publications such as Decanter and The Drinks Business, as well as major competitions including the London Wine Competition, the International Wine & Spirit Competition, and the Decanter World Wine Awards. Alongside judging, Sara organises and hosts tastings, masterclasses, and wine schools, giving her a clear understanding of both trade expectations and consumer perception.

Her approach combines analytical precision with practical market insight — qualities that make her a highly respected voice on the London Wine Competition panel.

What inspired your journey into wine?

Sara’s wine journey began with her first role at Wine Magazine, where she enrolled in a Wine & Spirit Education Trust course. Her enthusiasm deepened during her time at Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours, where meeting winemakers, tasting widely, and travelling to global wine regions cemented her lifelong passion for wine.

Favourite UK restaurant to enjoy wine

Sara enjoys dining at Lorne, where the wine offering complements thoughtful cooking and refined hospitality.

Favourite UK wine shop

She recommends Highbury Vintners, known for its curated selection and strong local reputation.

What is your go-to wine under £20?

Under £20 retail: 

2021 Pomino Rosso, Fattoria Selvapiana Villa Petrognano (Tuscany)

At £20 Duty Paid:

2021 Lalama Ribeira Sacra Tinto, Dominio do Bibei (Galicia)

Both wines reflect her appreciation for balance, regional character, and value-driven quality.

Which wine region do you think is underrated?

Galicia.

Sara highlights Galicia for its distinctive identity and high-quality indigenous varieties that continue to gain well-deserved recognition.

What wine trend are you most excited about for 2026?

“The increasing prevalence of high-quality indigenous grape varieties.”

She sees growing momentum behind wines that celebrate regional authenticity and native grapes.

From a judge’s perspective, what makes the London Wine Competition stand out?

“At the LWC, the judges focus not only on each wine’s quality, but also on its value for money and packaging (labelling, weight of bottle, etc.) in relation to the UK market. Comments given by the LWC judges can help wineries to understand how to tailor their wine to best suit the UK market. This can be particularly helpful to wineries who hope to enter the UK market for the first time.”

Sara values the competition’s holistic evaluation model — one that mirrors real buying decisions in the UK.

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

Enter wines that you are proud of. However, if your wine is in a glass bottle, do pay attention to the weight of the bottle that you use. Heavy-weight glass bottles don’t go down well in the UK market.

Her advice reflects growing sustainability awareness and commercial practicality within the UK trade.

Closing paragraph

Having your wines judged by Sara Muirhead MW means receiving feedback from one of the industry’s most qualified and commercially aware wine professionals. Her evaluation signals technical excellence, value alignment, and market sensitivity — particularly in packaging and positioning for the UK. Recognition from Sara indicates that a wine is not only well-crafted, but intelligently presented and ready to compete in a sophisticated and sustainability-conscious market.

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