Richard Dean
Italy has made history by clinching the title at this year’s World Championship of Blind Wine Tasting, shining brightly at a much-anticipated event held in France. This landmark victory marks not only Italy’s first win in this prestigious competition but also underscores the growing global appreciation for wine tasting as a skill and art.
The Competition Highlights
On October 12, 2024, the beautiful Château Dauzac in the Médoc region of southwestern France welcomed competitors from 39 countries. Teams engaged in a challenging contest, where they had to identify 12 different wines without seeing them. The competition had a diverse lineup, starting with a Spanish sparkling wine from the Corpinnat region near Barcelona and concluding with a French white wine from the Jura. Other countries featured included New Zealand, Germany, Argentina, and Lebanon.
This year, Italy emerged victorious, with teams from Switzerland and Taiwan finishing in a tie for second place. In contrast, France, a past champion, placed a distant 28th.
Key Facts:
- Italy won its first-ever championship.
- Switzerland and Taiwan both secured second place.
- The event featured 39 international teams.
Malta Makes Its Debut
A notable highlight of this year’s championship was the debut of the Maltese team, known as the Wine Knights. Comprising four talented members and a knowledgeable coach, this enthusiastic group received support from the Malta Tourism Authority.
The team includes:
- William Rizzo: Owner of Kontrada Merchants and aspiring ‘Master of Wine’.
- Marco Trucco: Team founder and candidate for the Diploma of Wine & Spirits Education Trust (DipWSET).
- Pierre Finger: WSET Advanced holder and representative from Gozo.
- Andrea Fornuto: Winner of the Open Qualifying event.
- Coach Aaron Rizzo: A DipWSET educator at the Institute of Tourism Studies.
The Wine Knights prepared extensively for the event, training for several months with various local wine businesses, including Farsons Direct and Charles Grech, which provided a selection of wines for practice.
Understanding the Blind Tasting Challenge
In blind wine tasting, competitors must identify several characteristics of wines, including grape variety, country, region, appellation, and vintage. With more than 100,000 wineries and thousands of grape varieties worldwide, this challenge can be daunting. Nevertheless, seasoned tasters often come remarkably close to guessing correctly, showcasing their expertise and knowledge of wine.
Competition Overview:
- 12 wines to identify: Each team tastes and analyzes multiple wines.
- Diverse wine selections: Wines are sourced from various regions and countries.
- Popularity of the art: Blind tasting has gained traction, appealing to both enthusiasts and professionals.
Cultural Impact and Popularity
The increasing popularity of blind tasting has not only attracted wine lovers but also captured the interest of the film industry. For instance, the documentary “Blind Ambition”, which followed Team Zimbabwe’s journey at the championship, won the Audience Award at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2021. Additionally, the high-profile series “Drops of God” premiered on Apple+ in 2023, inspired by dramatic wine-tasting challenges.
This year’s World Tasting Championship was streamed online, allowing wine enthusiasts and curious viewers worldwide to witness the event.
Conclusion
Italy’s triumph at the World Championship of Blind Wine Tasting marks a significant milestone, celebrating not just their skilled tasters but also the rich global culture of wine. As countries like Malta step onto this vibrant stage for the first time, the future of wine tasting looks promising and full of exciting developments. This growing interest, along with fun events and engaging stories, continues to elevate the appreciation of wine, bringing together enthusiasts from all walks of life.
The World Tasting Championship has proven to be more than just a competition; it showcases talent, culture, and the joy of discovering new wines. With such dynamic developments, the world of wine tasting promises to remain both captivating and inspiring for years to come
