Wine trade band reveals guest singers

The UK wine trade’s only charity covers band, Skin Côntact, has announced its first special guest lead singers with Tim Atkin MW, Joe Wadsack and Charles Metcalfe set to take to the stage in March.

Sponsored by Côtes du Rhône Wines, the band will be playing a one-off charity gig in March in support of Wine Relief – a fundraising initiative for Comic Relief – supported by nine wine trade “celebrities” who have signed up to perform lead vocals. Wadsack, Metcalfe and most recently Atkin are the first to be confirmed.

Already known by the wine trade for his singing prowess, Wadsack is the new face of wine on the BBC’s Food & Drink programme and ha previously worked as an RAF pilot, winemaker in Bordeaux, supermarket buyer, founder of Cube communications, writer, consultant and judge, as well as a chef.

Metcalfe’s meanwhile is a fully trained opera singer, written written many wine books, co-founded Wine International magazine and is one of a number behind the hugely successful International Wine Challenge competition.

Introducing Wadsack and Metcalfe, Skin Côntact’s ringleader, Richard Hemming said: “It’s going to be awesome having Joe and Charles fronting the band for a few songs – they’re charismatic, lovely people with superb singing voices. Charles’ mellifluous tones will charm the Vinopolis audience into a smitten trance, then Joe’s enthusiasm will blow the roof off.”

The main band features Richard Hemming, writer for JancisRobinson.com, on keyboard; Alex Hunt MW, purchasing director for Berkmann Wine Cellars, on lead guitar; Ben Smith, head of communication for Concha y Toro UK and former member of ’80s chart-toppers Curiosity Killed The Cat, on bass guitar; and Matt James, founder of The Bordeaux Cellar and former member of ’90s indie band Gene, on drums. Backing vocals will come courtesy of Anne McHale MW, wine education specialist at Berry Bros & Rudd, and Helen Chesshire, founder of The Chesshire Set PR.

Agnes Heller from Inter-Rhône, said: “And guests will have the opportunity to taste a range of Côtes du Rhône wines that could be described in exactly the same way at our Annual Tasting which will kick off the evening’s entertainment. Think Red Nose Day, Think Côtes du Rhône!”

Skin Côntact Live! will take place on Monday, 9 March, at Vinopolis with tickets going on sale at 9am on 28 January here for £22.50 plus a £2 booking fee. This will get you into the gig and the annual Côtes du Rhône tasting happening at Vinopolis immediately beforehand.

100% of ticket sales will be donated to Wine Relief, the wine trade’s fundraising initiative to support Comic Relief, thanks to sponsorship from Côtes du Rhône.