Welcome to Episode 2094, in which Jessica Dupuy interviews Laura Rhys live from TEXSOM 2024! Laura Rhys is a Master Sommelier and Global Ambassador at Gusbourne Estate in London. Join us as esteemed wine journalist, Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this renowned event. In this special series, Jessica will delve into the experiences and insights of key attendees, exploring career paths, challenges, and the latest trends in the wine industry. More about today’s guest: Laura’s career in wine started as a Sommelier in 2004. The early years were spent alongside the industry’s finest, including World Sommelier Champion Gérard Basset MS, MW. In 2009 Laura won the prestigious “UK Sommelier of the Year” title and in 2010 achieved Master Sommelier status from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Laura’s time as a Sommelier saw her visit many of the world’s vineyards and head up wine teams for restaurants, including Gerard Basset’s Hotel TerraVina and Michelin-starred, award winning La Trompette. Inspired by the passion of the English winemakers she met and excited by the quality of the wines she tasted, Laura continued her career at the pinnacle of the rapidly evolving English wine industry. Laura joined Gusbourne in 2015, as Global Ambassador, where her role encompasses ambassadorial and development duties both in UK and internationally. She also works closely with winemaker Charlie Holland and the winemaking and vineyard teams. Based in London, Laura judges for Sommelier competitions as well as national and international wine competitions. She is an active member of the Court of Master Sommeliers Europe and a regular host of tastings, wine dinners and seminars. Connect: Website: www.gusbourne.com Instagram: @Laura.rhys  More about today’s host: Jessica Dupuy covers wine, spirits, and travel from Austin, Texas. She holds a Diploma with the Wine and Spirit Educational Trust, is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, and a Certified Specialist of Wine and Spirits through the Society of Wine Educators. Dupuy’s work has appeared in Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, Imbibe, Texas Monthly, Forbes, SevenFifty Daily, GuildSomm, VinePair, and Southern Living. She recently published, The Wines of Southwest USA in addition to six regional cookbooks. She also co-hosts podcast, Another Bottle Down. Connect: Website: jessicadupuy.com Instagram: @jessicandupuy Twitter: @jessicandupuy _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/ Facebook www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast Twitter www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast Tiktok www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast If you feel like helping us, donate here: www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!