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Food-focused wine contest expands abroad
As UK food and wine matching competition What Food What Wine prepares for its third year of judging, parent company the IWSC Group has announced plans to launch a version in South Africa.
In line with its focus on finding the best wine match for some of the nation’s most popular dishes, this year’s UK competition will reach across British, Christmas and Indian classics including lamb rogan josh, fish and chips, stilton, chicken tikka masala and chocolate roulade.
Chaired by husband and wife MW team, Peter Richards and Susie Barrie, this year’s judging panel includes a number of other MWs including Gerard Basset, Justin Howard-Sneyd and Sarah Jane Evans, as well as sommeliers, chefs, food writers and wine buyers.
All wines are tasted blind, with judges only being told whether a they have a retail price of above or below £10. Entries are due to close on 5 July.
Explaining the goal of the competition, Richards said: ”Putting wine with food makes sense. It’s not only delicious, responsible, civilized and inspiring – it also makes sound commercial sense.”
He also flagged up the benefit for the trade, observing: ”At a time when purse strings are tight and the economic outlook is uncertain, What Food What Wine gives wine producers, importers and retailers an ideal platform from which to promote their wine responsibly and give wine drinkers the confidence to experiment when it comes to choosing wines to go with their favourite dishes.”
This year has also seen the competition launch a version in South Africa, pairing wines with local dishes including bobotie, Jan Ellis pudding, pap with wors and pumpkin fritters.
As with the UK competition, judges will only be told whether each wine has a retail price of above R100 or below. Judging is due to take place in early 2014.
Announcing the development, IWSC Group head of sales & marketing Anna Grant, said: “We’re thrilled to be launching this exciting new concept in South Africa. The launch demonstrates the wide appeal of the competition and will encourage more wine drinkers to experiment with confidence.”
For more information about either competition, visit the What Food What Wine website.