After reading Archaeology at Leicester, Alison qualified as a teacher in 1974 and has been teaching a variety of subjects since then. Having developed an early passion for Champagne and Whisky, she started teaching the WSET courses in 1982, delivering them at various Adult Education centres in Hertfordshire, Essex and Cambridgeshire. She also lectures to Wine Appreciation groups and does many informal charity tastings.

All lectures are delivered with Powerpoint presentations and Alison carries the necessary computer and projection equipment with her. The lectures are illustrated from a bank of over 7,000 images taken on her travels throughout the wine world.