Float your boat with salty tales while enjoying fine wines. . . 

Step aboard for a very special world cruise that never leaves land but is surrounded by enticing liquids, inspired by Liverpool’s heyday when its legendary shipping lines sailed all over the world.

Our Fizz & Ships illustrated talk is accompanied by high quality wines from the countries of our imaginary ‘ports of call’, finishing with the ‘fizz’ served aboard White Star’s luxury liners, including RMS Titanic.

This is your chance to book a ticket for an intimate armchair voyage from the port of Liverpool which will take you around a world of excellent wines.

Wine expert Jane Clare and ship lover Peter Elson combine their knowledge of viticulture and maritime matters to guide you on this journey of discovery to exotic lands lubricated by an appreciation of the local grape produce. 

As you sip delicious wines from our ports of call in the old and new world, Jane will talk you through their unique characteristics as Peter tells colourful stories of Liverpool’s shipping lines whose services once embraced the world like a metaphorical octopus.  

So don’t hesitate to cast off and while there will be plenty of tippling, we can guarantee there’s no danger of seasickness!

“I’ve never laughed so much in one night!”
Bishop of Warrington’s wife*
(* It was meant to be a funny speech)

To get in touch contact Fizz & Ships to book, or if you need any further information, contact: Peter Elson on email: peterelson01@gmail.com or mobile: 07539 856 961

NEXT FIZZ & SHIPS MARITIME WINE TASTING READY FOR LAUNCH! 

Autumn Cruise undocks on Friday 27 November 2026 at 7pm at Heswall Hall, Heswall 

It’s the only cruise sailing from the Wirral this year! 

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Sorry – but ship below has now sailed . . . 

Friday 21 August 2026 at 7pm at The Grand, Southport

Get set to sail away on The Grand Summer Adventure Cruise at Southport

WE’RE proud to be taking Fizz & Ships to a brand new venue – the gorgeous Grand at Southport which with its art deco-style is the perfect venue for our latest maritime themed wine tasting imaginary cruise event.

Once again we’ll be setting sail on our world cruise without our ‘passengers’ having to leave their seats as we steam off to exotic ports, sampling a classic wine from each country we visit. 

 Step aboard to enjoy a welcoming glass of Prosecco followed by wines from Spain, South Africa, Australia, Chile, plus a final glass of fizz on our last leg home. 

During the evening you’ll be entertained by tales of Merseyside’s seafaring past and the great personalities who became world famous through their exploits aboard some of the world’s legendary liners.  

As always you’ll be in safe hands at the tiller, with co-hosts maritime historian Peter Elson and wine expert Jane Clare who’ll keep you well entertained with an appealing mix of information and humour.

Fizz & Ships, The Grand, 180 Lord Street, Southport, PR9 0QG. Friday 21 August 2026; Booking: tel: 01794 532578; www.thegrand.co.uk;  £60 per ‘passenger’ with tasty victuals (more than just a ship’s biscuit!). 

Many thanks to Sean Styles for featuring a preview of the Southport Grand Fizz & Ships event on his BBC Radio Merseyside Show on Saturday 15 August 2026 – Peter Elson seen, left, with the great man himself. 

 @thegrandsouthport @thegrandsouthportevents  @onefootinthegrapes #Southport #wine #winetasting #cruise #cruiseliner

“Thanks to Peter and Jane for a smashing evening.  Very interesting and entertaining as only to be expected!”

Paul and Jacquie Connolly, Aigburth, Liverpool 

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Sorry – but ship below has now sailed . . . 

Back by public and parish demand on Saturday 22 March, 2025, at 7pm! 

 

St Anne’s Church Aigburth Willis Organ Restoration Fund proudly presents

The Fizz & Ships
Spring Adventure Wine Cruise!

Sorry – this ship has sailed . . .

Come and get aboard a Fizz & Ships illustrated wine and champagne tasting evening with a shipload of anecdotal fun and viticulture on Saturday 23 March, 2024, at 7pm, at St Anne’s Church, Aigburth, Liverpool.

At the helm will be renowned sommelier Jane Clare with Peter Elson manning the puns and life jokes as you drink in the sites on our imaginary world cruise from Liverpool, giving a taste of its famous shipping lines’ voyages.

This is a fundraising event in aid of the restoration of St Anne’s unique Willis organ which will be played to introduce proceedings. All profits will go to the organ fund.

This venue is particularly appropriate as the Brocklebank shipping line family donated the organ’s panelling in memory of their son who was killed in the First World War.

As Brocklebank Line operated from Liverpool to Buenos Aires an Argentinian wine will be featured to commemorate this important link to the church.

White Star Line will be represented by Heidsieck Champagne, as served aboard RMS Titanic, right, and her fleetmates – a flourish to end the evening. This brand was hugely popularised by Charles Heidsieck, the original ‘Champagne Charlie’ of legend, as seen in the advert, top left.

An equally fitting start will be delicious homemade Scouse, the dish brought to Liverpool by Norwegian sailors.

All are welcome at this evening of entertainment and education, but passenger capacity is limited to 50 people so don’t hesitate if you wish to attend.

Tickets are £25 per person which a bowl of homemade Scouse, and five wines, including champagne. More details to follow.

Venue address: St Anne’s Church, 389 Aigburth Road, Liverpool, L17 6BH.