Northern Ireland Wine and Spirit Institute
About
We have monthly wine tastings - and occasionally spirit tastings - at the Ramada by Wyndham, Belfast City Centre. You don't have to be a member to attend our tastings, and you don't have to know much about wine.
We love to welcome new members and we encourage them to learn more, and even to study for qualifications certified by the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) the largest global provider of wine education.
What makes us so special is that we're not for profit so all of our membership and tasting fees go directly into providing the best and most exciting wines for those attending our tastings to experience.
If you would like to attend a tasting, all are welcome. If you are interested in becoming a member email NIWSIsecretary@yahoo.co.uk
Our latest tastings are all available to view and book on the events section of this website.
Tastings & Events
Past Events
| Title | Date | Day | Location | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Adventures in wine
The Northern Ireland Wine & Spirits Institute is delighted to reveal the upcoming calendar for 2025.
This year our tasting programme kicks 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 will explore wines from across the country with A Journey Through German Wine.
April will see 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 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.
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
Vice Chair - Dennis Ensing Vice President - Tim Hughes Vice President - Alastair Bell Secretary - Lisa Wilson Treasurer - Paul Kavanagh Members - Joe McGlade, Caron Cullen, Karla Amirault
How To Join Us
Membership of the Institute costs £60 per year. If you are interested in joining please email the NIWSI secretary at niwsisecretary@yahoo.co.uk