Fizz and Ships is the brainchild of Liverpool journalists Jane Clare and Peter Elson – she a renowned wine writer and he one of Merseyside’s leading authorities on maritime heritage and history

A new maritime-themed wine-tasting venture is to hold a second event in July following the success of its first session.

Fizz and Ships is the brainchild of Liverpool journalists Jane Clare and Peter Elson – she a renowned wine writer and he one of Merseyside’s leading authorities on maritime heritage and history.

The duo held their first Fizz and Ships event at the Chancery Bar & Restaurant in Paradise Street in Liverpool city in May and they will return to the venue on Sunday, July 22.

Their second event will see guests take on an entertaining and informative armchair cruise around the life and times of the much-loved Birkenhead-built Cunard ocean liner RMS Mauretania.

Cunard Line itself will also mark Mauretania’s launch anniversary on the next day with a visit to Liverpool Cruise Terminal by its newest cruise liner, MS Queen Elizabeth.     

RMS Mauretania slid down the slipway at Cammell Laird shipyard and into the Mersey waters on July 28, 1938, and went on to become a big favourite with her Cunard passengers and crew.

During her long career in peace and wartime, Mauretania was the largest and most luxurious liner on the Liverpool – New York run, a favourite Mediterranean and Caribbean cruise liner, and as a vitally needed Second World War troopship she sailed 546,442 miles – the equivalent of circling the world eight times.

Peter said: “Reflecting the ‘Maury’s’ criss-crossing of the seven seas, we will take our Fizz & Ships’ armchair passengers on a voyage of discovery to the places that this magnificent ship visited and the wines found there.

Five wines originating from countries visited by Mauretania will be served, ending with a transatlantic favourite of Cunard and White Star Lines, Heidsieck champagne. Victuals will be served mid-voyage.

Ticket price per ‘passenger’ is £35.50 (plus booking fee) available on Eventbrite by clicking here.