Harpreet Bansal founded Wapping Wines in London exactly 20 years ago: he had bought an off license in the historic East End of London, in the cobbled lanes of Wapping. Initially he sold high-volume brands but sip by sip, Bansal – simply known as "H" by customers and friends alike – smartened his offering. As he honed his palate and learned about wine, his selection became wider and more refined.

Today, Wapping Wines is particularly known for fine fizz, especially from Champagne. By now, Bansal also selects and blends wines for his own label range and offers the same tailored service to his loyal clientele and walk-in customers – to this day Bansal has refused to sell online and now is a Wapping institution.

The best advice I ever got

Treat other people the way you want to be treated

My life motto

Enjoy the moment

My most played music track

Traditional bhangra

If I didn’t do my current job I would be

A fireman

Skill I don’t currently possess but would like to have 

Reading more often

My favourite kind of exercise

Squats

I relax while

Spending time with my son

I collect

Watches

My essential newspaper/magazine

Imbibe Magazine

My desert-island wine

Champagne

I have learnt a lot from

My parents

My last meal and sip will be

Indian tea and chapati with meat