Manchester wine lovers are being given the chance to put their tastebuds to the test and win the coveted title of top amateur taster.
The Palate 2013 has returned for a second year in an attempt to engage with customers and prove that wine tasting can be enjoyed by everyone.
Competitors were asked to blind taste two wines and answer multiple choice questions, with this year’s winner winning a holiday to Australia and New Zealand for ten days.
Oddbins Managing Director, Ayo Akintola said: “Consumers shouldn’t be intimidated by descriptions of wine tasting like chilled gooseberry posset or walking naked through the long grass or anything else as pretentious.”
“At Oddbins we are dedicated to proving that wine tasting and appreciation need not be an intimidating experience and The Palate is part of our commitment to listening and responding to consumers.
“We expect competition this year to be even more intense and even more fun.”
With up to 8000 wine enthusiasts across the country expected to have taken part, Chorlton Oddbins explained the process in which to decide the tastiest tipple.
The first round was split up into two weekends with 109 entries at the Chorlton branch in the first weekend alone.
Last year one of the finalists was an entree from here who was adamant he knew nothing about wine, so it is really is open to anyone and is also very fun.”
The Chorlton branch has been busy spreading the word via their social media channels, determined to see a winner from Manchester.
The finalists will participate in a wine tasting boot camp conducted by BBC’s Saturday Kitchen Susie Barrie and Peter Richards, in one final gruelling challenge to determine the overall winner.
Mr Richards said: “Wine should be fun, engaging and rewarding, and that’s what The Palate is all about.
“We want to dispel the myth that wine tasting is just for experts.
“This is a competition that is open to everyone – all you need is an open mind, a decent set of taste buds and a healthy thirst.
“Susie and I are delighted to be mentors and judges in an initiative which makes wine more accessible.”
For more information visit www.oddbins.com
Picture courtesy of Renée S. Suen via Flickr, with thanks
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