MANCHESTER Wine School is in new hands – bought by acclaimed writer Simon Woods. Saddleworth-based Simon (second, left, above) brings a wealth of experience to running the school, now in its 10th year.
Over the past 30 three decades he has been editor of the Which Wine Guide, coordinator of the International Wine Challenge and a columnist on the Financial Times. He has judged in wine competitions on four continents and his books include “101 Wine FAQs” and the Champagne Lanson award-winning “I Don’t Know Much About Wine But I Know What I Like”. We at ToM are particularly hooked on his ‘Drinking Outside the Box’ blog with its wry video tasting notes from his bottle-strewn family cottage.
Manchester Wine School was founded in 2009 and is part of the Local Wine School (LWS) network, which operates 27 wine schools around the UK. Simon takes over the business from Lisa Moreton who is leaving to spend more time with her young family, but will still be involved with the school in both teaching and administration roles. In her four years in charge, the business has expanded steadily and Simon is looking for that expansion to continue.
“Lisa has done a terrific job in growing Manchester Wine School, so I’m not planning any major changes in the immediate future. Howeve,r I will be drawing on my experience and the many contacts I’ve made in the wine trade to expand and develop the programme of events.
“I’ve been toying with the idea of setting up a series of tastings in Manchester for a number of years, and when I heard that Lisa was interested in selling the business, it seemed like the right opportunity at the right time.”
Like all of the franchises in the LWS network, Manchester Wine School runs a programme of tastings of wines, spirits and beer for both trade and consumers.