HELEN MCGINN.

Helen is one of the UK's most trusted wine voices: a celebrated wine writer and broadcaster, international wine judge, and bestselling author.

After nearly a decade as a wine buyer for a leading UK supermarket, Helen turned her expertise into a career sharing wine with the public. She is the resident wine expert on BBC1's Saturday Kitchen Live, and has appeared on ITV's This Morning, Celebrity Mastermind, Celebrity Weakest Link, Bottoms Up! with Alan Carr and more. 

Helen writes regularly for various publications and has built a loyal following through her award-winning blog and book The Knackered Mother's Wine Guide. Her warm writing style has earned her Fortnum & Mason's Online Drink Writer of the Year and Red Magazine's Best Blogger. She also lends her expertise as a regular judge for the prestigious International Wine Challenge.

Alongside her solo work, Helen co-hosts the much-loved event series WineTime Live with friend Kat Farmer, bringing audiences together to celebrate exciting wines and spirits in a fun, welcoming setting. WineTime Live's success has taken the pair from South Australia (in partnership with the South Australian Tourism Board) to Porto (with Symington Wine Estates), Istanbul (with Hilton Hotels), and across the UK with partners including the Wine Society, Folc Wines and Bird in Hand.

Helen has partnered with major global brands including Fortnum & Mason, JP Chenet, Calvet, New York Bakery, Shark Ninja, Charlie Bigham, Waitrose, Gordon's Gin and more. 

She is the author of four non-fiction titles on wine and drinks as well as six fiction books to date. Her latest book, The Supermarket Wine Guide, published in May 2026 to widespread acclaim and earned a spot on the shelves in Asda and Tesco stores nationwide.