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One of his favourite London haunts was Il Castelletto. Two Italian brothers

ran the restaurant and they quickly saw the benefit of getting Alan, who

spent a great deal of time there, interested in wine. They provided him

with an unusual education: the brothers introduced Alan to wine importers

and took him to trade fairs where he helped select the wine. “They

recognised I was their best customer and realised the clients I took there

were knowledgeable about wine,” says Alan. “They knew that if I selected

wine for Il Castelletto, they could be sure my clients would buy what

I’d suggested.”

It was a good introduction to the world of wine. Now CEO of a technology

company, Alan can enjoy the lessons he learned back then in his own

wine room.

Alan’s cellar accommodates just over 1,000 bottles, approximately two thirds

of his entire collection. The remainder is stored by a professional broker or

is still en primeur. The space is air conditioned and sealed, creating perfect

conditions for maintaining quality. Three walls are for wine and one wall is

dedicated to whisky and other spirits. “Everything stored here at home is for

drinking,” he says.