WINE BUFFS BAFFLED BY “EXPERTS”

A full capacity audience took part in a highly entertaining “Call my Bluff” blind wine tasting competition, the fourth hosted by the Rotary Club of Northallerton in recent years.

In each of 6 rounds, teams of wine tasters had to decide the grape type, country of origin and average price of a concealed bottle of red or white wine.  Three convincing and humorous "expert sommeliers", June Fowler, John Proud and Dougie Rudd, described each wine.  One was correct but two were bluffing, their descriptions full of acting prowess, leading the teams “by the nose”! 

Points were awarded for each of the categories, and the winning team was The Imbibers.

David Ison, who organized and ran the evening, expressed deep thanks to TESCO, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, The Living Fire Centre, Lewis & Cooper, and High Brockholme Barns, who generously donated the wines.  Raffle prizes were donated by Archers Removals, Sainsbury’s, CB Furnishings, Chopsticks, and Rotary members. 

The £1,100 raised from the competition and the raffle will be donated to The Living Rooms in Northallerton.  This is the Rotary Club’s charity this year, in memory of Joy Rowley, who died suddenly shortly before she was due to take over as President of the Club in July. 

For more information on Northallerton Rotary Club, visit www.northallertonrotary.org.uk.

Photo: The winning team (left to right) Les Crelling, Marie and David Lock, Ken Blackwood (Rotary Club President), and Christine and Chris Johnson.