About Neil

Professional wine, bubbles and horseracing expert, Neil Phillips, has combined his three life-long passions to forge a unique career spanning over three decades.

After spending his childhood in Gloucestershire, Neil’s love of punk-rock led him to the vibrant music scene of Sheffield, where he graduated with a BA Hons in Urban Studies. His career path was changed, however, after attending a Chardonnay blind tasting event which inspired him to leave his graduate job (but not the punk-rock) and enrol on a Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma course.

Neil has worked for Moreno Wines, E&J Gallo, and Pernod Ricard. It was whilst at Pernod Ricard that Neil expanded his expertise to presenting wine tasting events, radio talk shows promoting a wide variety of different brands, as well as developing an interest for champagne. This led to him becoming UK ambassador for G.H.Mumm and Perrier-Jouët (both owned by Pernod Ricard).

‘The Wine Tipster’ was born in 2009 when Neil began presenting at the Tesco Wine Fairs, The Wine Show for Vini Portugal and other clients. “I do a lot of promoting and presenting at events, launches and dinners each year for these prestigious clients,” says Neil. “It’s a role I never tire of!” His successful career has also included wine and food presentations with top chefs, including Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux Jr and René Redzepi, to name a few.

The Wine Tipster’s passion for horseracing was evident as a child, when he would impersonate the famous commentator Sir Peter O’Sullevan aged just five. He is a respected racing pundit and is the tipster and sommelier for Jockey Club Racecourses. Neil has appeared as The Wine Tipster on ITV Racing, Channel 4 Racing and Racing UK. As The Wine Tipster, Neil also writes a weekly column for Racing Plus.

FUN FACTS

• In 2013, Neil had a racehorse, ‘Wine Tipster,’ named after him! Wine Tipster won his first race at Gulfstream Park, Florida.
• He once had a drink with Ewan McGregor without knowing it was him.
• His worst tasting experience of his life was eating a Pollock’s eye at the Dorset Seafood Festival.
• He has two cats called Milo and Scotty.
• The Wine Tipster is a member of the Jockey Club Racing Syndicate.
• Neil caught an autographed tennis ball hit by Roger Federer at the US Open.
• Everything is food heaven except for chocolate blancmange.
• He ran the London Marathon in a time of 3 hours 19 minutes.
• The Wine Tipster has won The Wine Trade Squash Tournament.
• Neil’s biggest winning bet was on Channel 4 racing. He won a free monkey bet and his selection, ‘Vintage Premium,’ won at 20:1, winning him £6,750.
• The Wine Tipster’s favourite punk song has to be ‘You Have the Right to Work’ by Chelsea.