Peter’s working life kicked off in Chile in 1999, where he began as a lowly staff writer for an English-language news service. Within six months he was editor and had managed to persuade his boss to give him a car and a commission to write a tourist’s guide to visiting Chile’s vineyards. It was an unusual start to a career.

Returning to the UK in 2000, Peter worked for fine wine merchants Justerini & Brooks in a job that not only allowed him access to some of the world’s finest wines, but also to continue writing. This led to him being named Young Wine Writer 2001 (Webster’s/Circle of Wine Writers). He also became a scholarship and trophy winner in the course of gaining a distinction in the Wine & Spirit Education Trust’s diploma.

Shortly after going full-time freelance, Peter published his first book, Wineries with Style (Mitchell Beazley, 2004) in an attempt to do something new and fresh in the wine category. It went on to win at the Gourmand World Awards and was widely reviewed: “a fascinating and original read” (Wine); “a polished and fluent writer” (Evening Standard); an “oasis of good sense and imagination” (Harpers).

Since then Peter has written widely, including a regular column in The Liberal, and has just published his second book, The Wines of Chile (Mitchell Beazley), which was short listed for the André Simon award. He is a contributor to the award-winning Wine Report annual and also an international wine judge, tasting as chairman at the Decanter World Wine Awards and for Which? magazine. Peter also appears regularly at wine shows, including The Wine Show in London.

Peter is an increasingly familiar face on television in his capacity as an informed but down-to-earth wine expert, with regular slots on shows including Saturday Kitchen (BBC1), Taste (Sky One), Daily Cooks (ITV1), Great Food Live and Food Uncut (UKTV Food). He also appears on BBC Radio London and BBC Radio Five Live.