I am Birthe Karen Jensen, founder of Distinguished Wines, which I established in Sydney in 2003 after several years of working in international business, export and trade.

My background includes positions with some of Denmark’s leading international companies, including Danfoss, Louis Poulsen and Maersk, as well as the Danish Trade Commission in Sydney. This gave me a strong foundation in international markets and the practical realities of building business across borders.

Wine became my professional focus in Australia, where I discovered a dynamic wine culture that was still underrepresented in many European markets. Through Distinguished Wines, I began introducing wines from Australia and New Zealand to importers, retailers and restaurants in Europe. Over the years, the portfolio has expanded to include selected European wineries.

With more than two decades in the wine industry, I have worked closely with producers, importers, buyers and industry organisations, helping wineries find the right markets and buyers discover wines with character, quality and commercial relevance.

My understanding of wine is based on formal study through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust in London as well as many years of practical experience. I have visited wine regions, worked with producers, organised tastings and built long-term trade relationships across Europe and beyond.

Writing has always been part of my work. My book on Australian wines received strong reviews in Denmark and received a Gourmand Award in London, winning the category “Best Book in the World on New World Wines”. Today, I continue to write about wine, regions, producers and the stories that connect wine with place, people and culture.

For me, wine is more than a product. It is a story of origin, craft, climate, landscape and human dedication. Great wines carry a sense of place, and the wine world is at its best when knowledge and generosity are shared.