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.