The 5-minute Interview: Oz Clarke, Writer, broadcaster, wine specialist

'If we don't notice our local produce, Tesco will rule'

Oz Clarke, 59, is about to open the Wine Cellars, the UK's first self-storage facility for wine, at a Big Yellow site in Fulham, south-west London

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

Writing my wretched books. I'd like to be looking out to sea...

I wish people would take more notice of...

Local produce, be it cheese, beer, wine, sausages, anything. If we don't notice them soon enough, then Tesco may rule the planet.

A phrase I use too often...

Um.

The most surprising thing to happen to me was...

Making a career out of my hobbies.

A common misperception of me is...

That I only drink wine and don't like beer. My favourite drink is good organic Jersey milk.

I am not a politician but...

I nearly was. At university, my girlfriend said: "If you become a politician I will never see you again." I took one look at her, and one look at the politicians. We left immediately.

I'm good at...

Being idle but I never get the chance.

I'm very bad at...

Planning my life as my life plans me.

The ideal night out is...

Silence. A big night sky with a half moon and as many stars as you can find.

In times of weakness, I...

Say to my publisher that I will write another book.

You know me as a wine expert but in another life I'd have been...

A bishop or a dry cleaner. Or a dry-cleaning bishop.

The best age to be is...

Whatever age you are. Be happy with it.

My philosophy is this...

Do something every day even if you do it badly or wrong. Just don't waste it. Every day is precious.

Catherine Gordon