SITT masterclasses to deliver business focussed insights for indie and on-trade buyers

By Andrew Catchpole

Published: 21 February, 2018

Spring SITT Manchster and London 2018 tastings on 26 and 28 February are to host a series of business-led masterclasses ranging from northern drinking trends to buying clever by way of collaboration.

Well-know wine commentator and consultant Simon Woods will head up a Manchester session on Monday entitled “Just a London Thing”, where he will be examining how local trends evolve both in tandem with and separately to the noise being generated in London.

Woods will also digging down into the best balance between the familiar and esoteric on a given list, while doubtless drawing on his own northern credentials and experience to highlight what is unique about the regional trade.

Martin Green, editor of Harpers sister title Dinks Retailing News, will also front a discussion considering “The benefits of collaboration”, inviting both panellists and audience to explore the benefits to indie merchants in non-competing geographical areas of working together on buying and other aspects of business.

At the London event, in the buzzing heart of Hackney, Harpers editor Andrew Catchpole will bring together leading lights from the on-trade world, including sommeliers and restaurant buyers, to explore “Buying clever in the on-trade for 2018”.

This session will consider which wines, at what prices, from which regions are catching then panel’s eye, with a view to delivering both an engaging and profitable list.

For full details of all the SITT briefings and masterclasses see below or please visit the SITT website here.

NB: The SITT masterclasess will be free to attend, with places offered on a first come first served basis on the day, so while there is no need to book in advance, we would advise signing up early – as you arrive – at the masterclass desk to ensure we can reserve a seat at your preferred sessions.

SITT Agenda for Manchester and London

Manchester, Monday 26th February - Principal Hotel

11.30am - 12.00 midday: The benefits of collaboration

Discussion host: Martin Green

12.30pm – 1.15pm: Just a London thing?

Masterclass host: Simon Woods

2.30pm -3.15pm: Learning to love Grenache

Masterclass host: Simon Woods

London, Wednesday 28th February - Hackney Town Hall

12.30pm - 1.15pm: Chile's new wine frontier: The South

Masterclass host: Raul Diaz

3.00pm to 3.45pm: Discover wine makers of undiscovered Hungary