The Wine School of Cheshire
Alcoholic Drinks

Description

Wine School of Cheshire is widely considered the County’s foremost authority on wine tasting and wine knowledge with a wealth of expertise in the industry that spans more than thirty-four years! Our wine school started back in 2013 after founder, Richard J Smith, noticed the city of Chester and the wider county of Cheshire lacked an enjoyable form of wine education from an independent voice. He went on to begin a more entertaining alternative to the sales focused, supplier led wine tastings on offer: a turn off for many who want to learn more about wine without feeling pressured to buy. We focus on food and wine pairing at every event however wine snobbery is never on the menu!

Our comprehensive schedule of wine tasting events and classes is timetabled for wine aficionados and novices alike, all of whom can enjoy themselves at every event which will completely demystify all that goes into making a good bottle of wine. You can learn what all the swirling and sniffing tells you about – and pose your questions to the local expert – in an environment which is as relaxed, intimate and informal as a dinner party with friends.

Depending on which event you choose to attend, our guests can enjoy an exclusive evening out with wines matched with different canapés or a full Saturday wine school which includes a five course lunch to enjoy wine and food pairing at its very best.

Wine School of Cheshire’s home in Chester is two AA Rosette The Forge within Chester’s Hotel Indigo. Executive Chef Dan Regan was awarded two AA rosettes in early 2024 which have been retained for 2025. Dan previously worked at the two Michelin-starred Ynyshir under Chef Patron Gareth Ward and we can’t wait to share Dan’s culinary skills and sensational dishes with our guests! We also host summer wine tasting river cruises with Chester Boat Company on board the Lady Diana.

You’ll discover some amazing wines and pick up some fun facts along the way. We do not sell wine at our events therefore you can rest assured that we are providing the best advice without any pressure for you to buy afterwards. We always choose wines that you can find locally or with online specialists and at prices that offer exceptional value for their quality.

You can join wine school around the world too! Bespoke wine tasting tours are available within Europe and further afield including exciting destinations such as Champagne, Portugal, Rioja, Sicily, Provence and South Africa! As Wine School of Cheshire is a member of Wines of Great Britain we naturally feature English wine region tours too!

All of our events are hosted by our founder and Cheshire resident, Richard J Smith, who will share more than thirty-four years of knowledge about all things wine – as well as a few anecdotes (but alas, no secrets!) from his time as a butler.

Richard graduated from Norwich Hotel School and further trained at the world-renowned Lanesborough Hotel on Hyde Park Corner, London: a former winner of Best Hotel in the World from Condé Nast. Richard also enjoyed several years at London’s Savoy Group and Four Seasons-Regent Hotels. He is proud to include several members of the British Royal Family as well as international heads of state and a host of top celebrities among his past clients.

Richard has worked with a number of organisations assisting with training and development within the hospitality industry including The Cheshire College South and West at their Ellesmere Port Campus. He has recently appeared at Three Wine Men in Manchester alongside TV wine legends Oz Clarke, Olly Smith and Tim Atkin MW and has presented English and Welsh wines in partnership with Wines of Great Britain at RHS Tatton Park.

In March 2019 Richard was proud to be intronised into the Confrérie des Compagnons de Grandgousier at a ceremony in The Loire Valley in recognition for his support of the region, particularly Touriane and Touraine-Mesland. Richard hosts tastings and talks for Loire Valley wine around the UK too.

Richard was thrilled to be appointed to the professional judging panel for The Peoples Choice Wine Awards in March 2022, returning as a lead judge the following year, and he looks forward to the annual judging an subsequent awards ceremony where winners are announced for their consumer friendly wine and spirits awards. As a member of Wines of Great Britain, Richard also sits on panel of the WineGB Training and Education Working Group.