I arrived in Paris at the age of twenty, a degree in agricultural economics in my pocket and a place to study for a master’s in food and wine marketing in the “City of Light.” I hardly spoke a word of French.

A year later, I was went in French, two stone heavier, and had a job as as sales rep for a food company. It’s not a glamorous as it sounds; it involved a lot of running around Paris at the crack of dawn stocking supermarket shelves. I loved every minute of it. I ate and drank everything French friends put infront of me. Friends used to joke “Il vaut mieux la voir en photo qu’à table”(It’s better to see her in a photo than at your table)! After eight years in Paris, I was running the European oces for British Meat.

Wine was always on the scene—it was France of course. I was lucky, the Rotary Foundation sponsored my studies in Paris, and the local Rotary Club adopted me. One of the members owned a vineyard in Bordeaux and inspired me to write my thesis on wine marketing.

A passion was born. Upon graduation, the vineyard Château de France (what a great name) asked me to represent its wines on a promotional trip to the United States. ey didn't have to ask twice. It was a steep learning curve, and another vineyard owner, Hamilton Narby, graciously helped me. Eight years later, I married him and moved to Bordeaux.

Leaving Paris was a shock; thirty years ago, Bordeaux was not the vibrant and glamorous city it is today. It took a while to carve a niche for myself. I carried on commuting to Paris, consulting for previous clients, and all the while learning more about wine. I started writing about wine, finally sharing my growing passion for the region through teaching.