Rod Smith MW

Rod is English and currently lives and works in the South of France, in Nice. He is a trainer, speaker, consultant and journalist. His experience in the wine industry began in the mid 90’s, Rod worked at all levels of the wine distribution chain in the UK where he moved from the Oddbins network of wine shops, to the Seagram distribution company. In 2005 he joined the prestigious importer Mentzendorff where he was responsible for the entire range of French wines. In 2006 Rod became the 256th Master of Wine in the world (since 1953!). This marks a turning point in his career, he decides to move to France where he works for the company Vins Sans Frontière specializing in distribution to the yachting industry. It is from there that he created the company Riviera Wine Academy whose activity is the organization of tastings, events, dinners for a clientele as prestigious as discreet! In addition, Rod is extremely active in major international competitions, for example he is a member of the jury of the World Wines Award of the British magazine Decanter. He has also been involved with the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) for many years and is currently in charge of organizing the entire first year of the program.
Rod’s specialties are fortified wines and Italian wines, what could be more logical for an Englishman living in Nice!