Barry Howarth  

Areas of speciality:

WEST Intermediate

WSET Advanced

Corporate Entertainment

Lectures

Tastings

Food & Wine Matching

Blind Tastings

Barry became interested in wine in 1983 purchasing a Restaurant and suddenly having to write a wine list and his passion for wine was born.  After nine years working in the Hotel and Restaurant trade where he passed his WSET Advanced Certificate with Distinction he joined Threshers as a Branch Manager to develop his knowledge in the world of wine.  Working for Threshers for 11 years running prestigious ‘Wine Rack’ stores in Malvern and Preston he became a ‘Product Knowledge’ Trainer, gained his WSET Diploma, judged at the IWC Wine Challenge and taught the WSET Intermediate Certificate at Lancaster & Morecambe College and lectured in Wine Appreciation at Lancashire College.  In February 2003 Barry joined Oddbins to run the Kendal Branch and expand his wine experience.

Over the years Barry has visited many wine areas including the Sherry Region. Alsace, Champagne, Bordeaux, Chablis, Loire, Languedoc Roussillion, Austria, Portugal and New Zealand. He is a keen visitor of Trade Fairs and Tastings, annually visiting the London Wine Fair and regularly attending Vinexpo in Bordeaux.

Barry is a founder member and Chairman of Morecambe Bay Wine Appreciation Society based at Lancaster and Morecambe College since 1989.  Organising varied tastings for up to 50 members including a visit to Byrne’s Wine Merchants in Clitheroe and a Champagne Tasting at the new ‘Midland Hotel’ in Morecambe.

Barry is an enthusiastic speaker to all groups large or small and whether novice or expert making any wine event enjoyable and fun.