Northern Ireland Wine and Spirit Institute (NIWSI)
Adventures in wine
We're really looking forward to our next tasting 6 May, when Head Sommelier Oz Sercan Vatansever from Michelin-starred Ox restaurant in Belfast will host a tasting of Pre-phylloxera wines.
The Northern Ireland Wine & Spirits Institute in Belfast is delighted to reveal our upcoming calendar of wine tastings for 2025.
This year our tasting programme kicked off on 11 February with Wines from the Thracian Lowlands of Bulgaria, presented by our Vice-President Alastair Bell WSET with sponsorship from Europe Shares and the Association of Wine Educators. You can view full details and buy tickets here.
In March, the authors of Wine Country Germany, Gerd Brabant and Marc Roovers explored wines from across the country with A Journey Through German Wine.
April saw Jeremy Shaw of Iberian Wines tell the story of how one trip to Spain launched his business in 2010 sharing food, wine and people across Spain and Portugal.
May will have a local flavour as sommelier Oz Sercan Vatansever takes us through the wines of Michelin-starred Ox restaurant in Belfast.
And never to be missed is the expertise of Anne McHale, President of the Northern Ireland Wine & Spirit Institute and Master of Wine as she celebrates wines from the Alsace region of France.
Watch out for special events throughout the year including our gala dinner and European wine tasting trip.
To join NIWSI, please email niwsisecretary@yahoo.co.uk
Or you can just come to one of our tastings - listed under EVENTS on this website - and sign up on the night. We love to welcome new members.
Tastings & Events
Past Events
| Title | Date | Day | Location | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iberian Wine with Jeremy Shaw | 08 Apr 2025 | Tuesday | Ramada by Wyndham, Talbot Street, Belfast | Closed |
| A journey through German wine | 11 Mar 2025 | Tuesday | Ramada by Wyndham, Talbot Street, Belfast | Closed |
| Wines from the Thracian Lowlands of Bulgaria | 11 Feb 2025 | Tuesday | Ramada by Wyndham, Talbot Street, Belfast | Closed |
| Christmas Tasting | 10 Dec 2024 | Tuesday | Ramada by Wyndham, Talbot Street, Belfast | Closed |
| Committee Favourites | 12 Nov 2024 | Tuesday | Ramada by Wyndham, Talbot Street, Belfast |
About
Tastings are held at the Ramada by Wyndham, Belfast City Centre. If you'd like to attend a tasting, join the Institute, or learn more, contact: NIWSIsecretary@yahoo.co.uk
We love to welcome guests and members who are curious about wine. We're a not for profit so our membership and tasting fees go directly into providing the best and most exciting wines for our tastings.
Blog
The Institute
Gallery
Membership Benefits
Tastings
Members will receive a discount for every wine tasting of at least £15.
Discounts
NIWSI members receive a 15% discount at Direct Wine Shipments in Belfast
Exclusive events
Access to member-only special events throughout the year including the annual dinner, Enniskillen wine weekend and study trip abroad
Our Committee
Anne McHale
President
Anne, originally from Belfast, is an award-winning Master of Wine. She took first class honours in French and Classics at Cambridge, discovered the delights of wine while studying in France, and joined the wine trade. We are honoured to have her as our President.
Richard Lee
Chairperson
Richard took his level 4 WSET exam (Diploma) with the WSET in London before moving to Northern Ireland in 2014 and joining the Institute. He loves organising wine trips for members. The next one, 2025, is to France.
Alastair Bell
Vice President
Alastair's name is synonymous with the Institute, and indeed, with wine education in Northern Ireland. He is a member of the Association of Wine Educators and has been a member of the Institute since its inception in 1979. Alastair has a fine cellar. He particularly enjoys the wine of the Loire.
Committee
Members
Vice Chair Dennis Ensing - Vice President Tim Hughes - Vice President Alastair Bell - Secretary Lisa Wilson - Treasurer Paul Kavanagh - Member Joe McGlade - Member Caron Cullen - Member Karla Amirault
How To Join Us
Membership is £60 per year. To join please email niwsisecretary@yahoo.co.uk