Essex Wine School
Essex Wine School
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
130 reviews
Excellent
123
Very good
6
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
0
sue p
1 contribution
Jan 2021 • Couples
Bought as a Xmas present for my husband, a whisky lover who has wanted to attend a whisky tasting for some time; this was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, even for me, a non whisky fan. Neil was very professional but also fun, and my husband said he learnt a lot. It felt like an 'evening out' during lockdown and good value, with five sample whiskies to try. Will definitely be doing more of these tastings in the future.
Written January 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Sue, I am very glad that you both enjoyed it! See you soon I hope.
Written January 23, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ian C
Essex, UK16 contributions
Jan 2020
We had a very informative and pleasant evening with the two Neills and a group at the Two Brewers. The venue was excellent as were the hosts. Great matches of cheese paired with wines. We loved the wines and the fizz.Whilst initially thinking it was a little pricey, the knowledge that we gained, coupled with good company and a good selection of the grape, made the evening a night to remember and overall it represented value for money.
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WentworthLorenzo
Chelmsford, UK7 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Neil is a fantastic host! He clearly knows his stuff, is passionate about wine and made the experience very enjoyable. It was a delight to taste some excellent wines and delicious cheeses in a room of likeminded people, ably guided throughout by Neil. Looking forward to attending another wine tasting event very soon!
Written September 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracy Baker
1 contribution
Jul 2022
I can highly recommend the Essex Wine School. I have so far attended three events - Saturday Wine Tasting with lunch (brilliant Birthday treat for husband), Rosé Wine Tasting and Spanish Wines & Tapas. They have all been great fun, interesting and pitched at just the right level; not too heavy but informative. Neil and Tim both have a great sense of humour and ensure you have a wonderful time. The venues at Chelmsford (with Neil) and Colchester (with Tim) have a lovely, relaxed atmosphere. I am looking forward to the Port and Cheese tasting in December - these events are becoming addictive! Thank you Neil for bringing this to Essex.
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim P
Colchester, UK154 contributions
Jul 2022
In a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere you taste good quality wines provided by an experienced, professional wine expert. There are visual aids to help explain various aspects of the programme, but it is not a "schoolroom" scenario. The wines are often unusual, and always worth trying. My wife and I went to a Saturday tasting, and had a great day. The food was very good too, which added to the treat. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes their wines.
Written August 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HonestOpinions2010
United Kingdom24 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
We did the "Judgement of Essex" tasting at the Two Brews pub in Colchester with Tim on Fri 18/10/24. We are used to online tastings with The Wine Society, so this in person tasting was an experiment for us.
Things that were good:
- The venue was less than 30mins walk fromt Colchester Railway station
- The host Tim was polite and welcoming
- Seating was managed so that groups and couples weren't split up
- Glasses were clean and wines were served at sensible temperatures
- Generous samples of each wine were provided
- Water and spittoons were provided
Things that were not so good:
- It was a struggle to hear Tim speak because noisy pub customers were seated just round the corner from the event room and the open door at the top of the stairs allowed too much music in
- Tim wouldn't give us any expert advice or tasting notes on the wines tasted. This was a comparative tasting but Tim should have been allowed to comment on each pair of wines after they had been tasted and scored. He was our expert in wine but hid his expertese from us
- The snacks were inadequate (oily crips)
- There seemed to be no logic behind the choice of wines... it was a pity that 4 of the 6 wines were Chardonnay
- Several of the wines were far from at their best because they not had been prepared beforehand (allowed to breathe).
- Many people complained that the wines smelt of sulpur and that their quality was poor... this is the first time at a wine tasting that we felt that none of the wines were moorish
- The event seemed to attract mainly people with little knowledge of wine; holding the event on a Friday night, perhaps partly explains this
Hopefully Tim won't have to hide his expertese at one of their more conventional food and wine tastings... so we may be back to give one a go at a quieter venue.
Things that were good:
- The venue was less than 30mins walk fromt Colchester Railway station
- The host Tim was polite and welcoming
- Seating was managed so that groups and couples weren't split up
- Glasses were clean and wines were served at sensible temperatures
- Generous samples of each wine were provided
- Water and spittoons were provided
Things that were not so good:
- It was a struggle to hear Tim speak because noisy pub customers were seated just round the corner from the event room and the open door at the top of the stairs allowed too much music in
- Tim wouldn't give us any expert advice or tasting notes on the wines tasted. This was a comparative tasting but Tim should have been allowed to comment on each pair of wines after they had been tasted and scored. He was our expert in wine but hid his expertese from us
- The snacks were inadequate (oily crips)
- There seemed to be no logic behind the choice of wines... it was a pity that 4 of the 6 wines were Chardonnay
- Several of the wines were far from at their best because they not had been prepared beforehand (allowed to breathe).
- Many people complained that the wines smelt of sulpur and that their quality was poor... this is the first time at a wine tasting that we felt that none of the wines were moorish
- The event seemed to attract mainly people with little knowledge of wine; holding the event on a Friday night, perhaps partly explains this
Hopefully Tim won't have to hide his expertese at one of their more conventional food and wine tastings... so we may be back to give one a go at a quieter venue.
Written October 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon Elms
1 contribution
Jun 2020
I have been to a number of tasting events hosted by Neil in chelmsford and have always enjoyed them. During lockdown I suggested to a group of friends that it might be a fun to have a cheese and wine tasting evening over zoom. We booked Neil and as expected had a fantastic evening. Neil is knowledgable and his presentations are always entertaining. thoroughly recomended!
Written July 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ant_Caren
Coventry, UK4 contributions
Dec 2020
Neil saved our 2020 Christmas do! After the year COVID has resulted in, a zoom wine tasting brought the team together and really lifted everyone's spirits. The session was fun, light hearted and educational. It was well pitched for our teams level of understanding and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank you!
Written December 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
davenash1
Wickford, UK2 contributions
Feb 2023
My Daughter (24) & I took George for his 90th birthday to the Essex Wine School Cheese & Wine pairing tasting evening. All three of us enjoyed the evening immensely. As usual Neil Bull pitched the evening perfectly sharing information with knowledge, humour and in a relaxing and friendly manner.
The choice of wine and accompanying cheese was fantastic and we came away satisfied and with a little more knowledge about cheese and wine.
The choice of wine and accompanying cheese was fantastic and we came away satisfied and with a little more knowledge about cheese and wine.
Written February 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard T
rayleigh2 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
i attended the “beautiful south “ wine tasting event this week.
Neil never fails to impress.
7 really great wines. perfect selection.
neil is always informative in a fun highly entertaining way. my guests first visit wont be his last.
we both will be buying some of the wines we sampled.
im back in two weeks. cant wait.
if you ever contemplated doing a wine tasting but are unsure. do yourself a favour and come to one if neil’s. you wont b disappointed.
Neil never fails to impress.
7 really great wines. perfect selection.
neil is always informative in a fun highly entertaining way. my guests first visit wont be his last.
we both will be buying some of the wines we sampled.
im back in two weeks. cant wait.
if you ever contemplated doing a wine tasting but are unsure. do yourself a favour and come to one if neil’s. you wont b disappointed.
Written November 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Richard, I am glad you and Michael enjoyed the tasting. It was great to see you again and I look forward to seeing you in a few weeks.
Written November 14, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi, does Prosecco tastings happen regularly and is good included? And what kind? Thank you
Written May 28, 2022
Do many people go by themselves rather than in a couple or group?
Written June 2, 2018
When we went it was so relaxed and friendly. There was a mix of couples, groups and single attendees. I certainly wouldn't feel out of place going on my own. Hope that helps!
Written July 15, 2018
How do you get tickets, there is no info here, or web site?
We
Written April 26, 2017
you can book on the site. if you go on to the site then choose the tasting. if not, Neil from Essex Wine School normally answers e-mails promptly or there is a phone number on there.
Written June 11, 2017
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