The Wine Experience is owned and run by Ian McNeill, a life-long afficionado of fine wines and good food, who is also a professional trainer with more than 20 years of experience. His expertise is in organising all types of wine events for corporate and consumer clients such as wine tastings fun wine challenges and wine dinners.
As a former president of The Institute of Wines and Spirits (Scotland), an organisation that actively promotes the education of wine and spirits, Ian maintains many links within the wine trade and keeps abreast of all the latest developments and trends.
His lively, interactive, and informative presentations can be a stand-alone corporate event, pre-dinner tasting, team building day, or an event where your staff or customers unwind at the end of a meeting or conference. Wine Experience ideas are endless. Ask about our wine or champagne challenges that are ideal for client entertainment and provide great networking opportunities!
Regular wine tastings, food and wine matching events and wine dinners are held in Edinburgh, with, events and tastings organised for 2009 and Spring 2010.
See our testimonial page below for comments about events held in Livingston, West Lothian, Edinburgh, throughout central Scotland and beyond.
Our events are always great fun and a fantastic way to learn about wine tasting and matching food and wine in a relaxed and informal setting.
Team Wine Challenge
Thank you for a great Wine Challenge event on Friday. All the team enjoyed it and I will definately recommend you.
L Freser - Deloitte LLT, Edinburgh
'Corks and Chopsticks' Food and Wine Matching Chinese Banquet.
Andrew Meikle - Weir LGE Process, Edinburgh
We would like to thank you for organising a very successful and interesting corporate evening for us. We thought the food was fantastic and the different wine selections and tastings turned the evening into something out of the ordinary which my colleagues and I thoroughly enjoyed.
Please also send our compliments to China Town Restaurant, Edinburgh
"Ian and his staff from The Wine Experience contributed greatly to what was a fantastic 10th anniversary fireworks party for us. The wines used for the tasting were of the highest quality and Ian's vast knowledge of the subject was both interesting and impressive .We really look forward to working with The Wine Experience again in the near future".
Andrew Milne dns ltd. Princes Street, Edinburgh
From David L. McDougall of the West Lothian Chamber of Commerce
www.wlchamber.comAbout The Wine Experience Event, he commented in a letter, “Ian’s presentation was interesting, informative, and witty. The quality of the wine was excellent. The general information on the wine business was extremely useful both for the enthusiasts and casual wine drinkers. Every one of our members thoroughly enjoyed the evening and we look forward to repeating the event in the near future.”
"Great course - learned much more than expected on an incredibly huge subject"
AB, Linlithgow" I now have an appreciation of a much wider range of wines"
SL, Armadale"Excellent course, now have better understanding of different grape varieties and their flavours"
SG, Bathgate"Very enjoyable; I have learned a tremendous amount about wines and grape varieties"
AH, Linlithgow
We asked our “tasters” to tell us about their experience and here is what they say
The Italian Wine Experience: October 17, 2008
From: Debbe Tilson [mailto:debzzzzz@hotmail.co.uk]
Sent: 18 October 2008 11:42
To: ian@thewine-experience.co.uk
Subject: the Wine Experience night
Hi Ian,
We love EST!! EST!! EST!! My partner and I discovered our favourite wine at the Italian experience night – thanks. It was funny that only a couple of people in the group knew that EST!! is Latin for “It is!!” and we enjoyed the story from the 1300’s about how it was named. I’m definitely getting my sister the French Experience for Christmas, so we’ll see you then.
Best wishes,
Debbe and John Tilson
From: K Smithton [mailto:kevinsmithton@hotmail.co.uk]
Sent: 26 October 2008 20:19
To: ian@thewine-experience.co.uk
Subject: Feedback for Ian
Hello Ian,
Cheryl and I really enjoyed the wine tasting night – she wanted me to appreciate wine more and now, I think that I do. It was a good night out and I also liked the fact that you’re not a wine merchant with a sales pitch at the end! You said that there wouldn’t be statistics about wines production, and you were right because the stories and anecdotes about your own experiences were more interesting. Plus, we got to taste eight different wines (four red; four white) from various regions of Italy. Ian started topics and soon there was lively opinions from all 12 “tasters” about aroma, flavour, and preferences. Can we book for French experience in the new year?
Best regards,
KevinFood and Wine Matching: October 24, 2008
From: Claire Watson [mailto:clairepwatson@yahoo.co.uk]
Sent: 29 October 2008 07:22
To: ian@thewine-experience.co.uk
Subject: Thanks to The Wine Experience
Dear Ian and Liz,
This is just a quick note to say thanks for a lovely evening and making me feel so welcome, especially since I came on my own. With Christmas nearly here and a few dinner parties that I have to give, I really appreciated how you took the time to suggest wines to go with my menu plans – I would have made a mistake with the shrimp starter, but I’m now confident about serving it with the Pinot Grigio. Also, if you could get me 6 bottles of the Elysium Black Muscat Dessert Wine (for gifts), that would be great.
Thanks again,
Claire (clairepwatson@yahoo.co.uk)
