*PLEASE NOTE – THIS HOME PAGE IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING AN EDIT, WHICH SHOULD BE FINISHED SOON.*
BIENVENIDOS!
This website, colinharknessonwine.com, first became live in 2008 and I can tell you there’s been a great deal of wine flowing under the bridge since then!
During that time I’ve been on a wonderful journey, enjoying many different roles in the wine sector, mostly in Spain where I have lived since 1997:
Media:(newspapers, magazines, radio and even a short regional TV series); International (International Wine and Spirits Competition; International Wine Contest Romania) and National (Spain) Wine Judge;
Tourism: my small travel agency, Tin Lizzie Tours, specialised in day trips and short breaks to wineries throughout Spain, starting, in fact, before wine tourism was a thing here and even before the word ‘enoturismo’ (wine tourism) had been coined.
Importer: with a small company registered in the UK I imported wines from Spain wgere I was living, selling to the wholsale and restaurant sectors.
Exporter: living in Spain I was in the perfect position to locate and buy quality Spanish wine to export outside the country.
Consultant: I have often advised restaurants and hotels on their wine list.
Educator: I have presented hundreds of wine tasting events designed for enjoyment, of course, but also to develop wine knowledge and tasting technique.
Cruise Speaker*: I have presented several wine tastings and lectures on international cruises.
Now at the start of 2022 and in semi-retirement my focus is changing. I continue to be an ambassador for Spanish wine, of course, but I am also travelling as much as possible, with my lovely wife, Claire-Marie Soprano. Last year we spent much of our time in Italy with several weeks in France too – living the life of the traveling camper. This lifestyle has given us both the opportunity to taste many wines from those countries as well as some from fellow travellers from other parts of Europe.
*Unknown to either of us at the start of 2022, we were delighted to be offered positions as Entertainers on Saga River Cruises – Claire-Marie, singing and organising all entertainment activities; with me hosting wine appreciation/tasting talks as well as being quiz/games master!
Our travels have been in Nederlands, France and mostly in Germany, where I have, of course, been tasting and learning about German wines. I’ve been able to use German wines for onboard tastings as well as assisting with the various winery visits that have been optional as well as all-included excursions for our guests on the Rex Rheni River Cruise Ship!
It’s been a blast, and we hope to continue doing similar for the next season – and maybe working on an ocean cruise or two as well! Our efforts have been very well received by the Saga guests as well as the Saga Cruise Hosts and management.
Here I am in action presenting, in this case, a German red wine – quite rare on the Rhein and Mosel rivers! 
Please click on our Sponsors’ Icons to see more!
Vinoteca
Swiss Hotel Moraira
Spanish Palate
Bodegas Leopoldo
Lazenne
Casa Boquera
Avina Wine Tools
Bodegas Castaño
“Nella Fantasia” performed by Dolce Divas. Dolce Divas (Click to visit their website) specialise in Classical Music and Opera Favourites, giving recitals in concert halls and also providing Wedding Music, Romantic Chill-Out and Cocktail-Bar music for hotels and restaurants.