More perspective on two topics of interest to this blog: Wine Competitions and Wine Dating
… but this time in a new mashup from Bibendum worth reading:
Time for flying wine daters?
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Tag Archives: speed dating
Wine Rating and Dating
I have touched on this once before in The Conversation Starter, but wine and dating are a good match (excuse the pun).
At the time Nicolla Greaves was organising occasional evenings on behalf of the WSET and they certainly caught some people’s attention.
Nicolla is still with the WSET but has obviously decided that there is a future in matching wine tastings & education with the proper business of finding a soul mate (at least one who will hopefully understand your obsessional wine buying habits in years to come).
She and Nigel Littlewood, with a background in running bars, have set up an events company dedicated to this new aspect of the wine business (or is it a new aspect of the love business?).
I must say that the idea of a speed dating event terrifies me, but then being happily married (and maybe even above the usual age profile) I am not the target market. However I may have 1 or 2 young, single readers out there looking to put their hard won knowledge of wine to good use [and if it works out, do let me know in the comments]. I think the idea of having a topic of conversation like wine to kick off your first meeting is a good idea. Wine is a topic that says something about a person, whether they consider themselves a ‘wine geek’ (not that I expect ANYONE to use that term on the night) or ‘novice’, you can still have a view.
So, if you fancy it (!), why not check out their site and go along to one of their events (first one is on the 7th of April).
Oh, and if you’ve bought one of those wine notebooks it could easily double up for taking down his/her number or email address!
Good luck! After all, as they say, “it is all a matter of taste”
Love at the bottom of a bottle
Seems like my ideas on love and wine were simply not daring enough for some.
There have been several stories (see here, and here) about a new French initiative called Soif du Coeur (Thirsty Heart) to use wine to get you a date.
I particularly like Alder’s take on it.
Coming to a wine shop near you if you live in France, USA, Canada or Russia – which could make the “can I walk you home” offer a dangerously extended affair!
Conversation starter
I have been looking for ways for conversations to kindle the love of wine, but maybe the place to start is where wine conversation kindles love.
My wife pointed out an article in one of those free papers for commuters last night. The centre spread, apparently a regular feature, looks at dating in London. The main article yesterday was about wine speed dating.
I have heard of a number of such events. Basically, take speed dating, add wine. The wine is the conversation starter. You learn a little about it at the start, then go around comparing notes and preferences. Not only do you get an excuse to talk to potential partners, but you get the wine and wine education thrown in as part of the deal. Excellent!
This one was organised by Grape Vine Social, apparently a big organisation, but I have also seen the WSET organise its own events (well done Nicolla!).
It may seem a little silly (unless you are single and looking for a better way of meeting people), but it says something about wine that it works in this context. I can’t imagine Gin, Bacardi Breezers or Absinthe would work the same way or have the same appeal (although there may be a niche market for each, especially for Beer).
My only quibbles about the reported date are 1) the wines chosen (Hardy’s, Banrock Station, Kiss Chasey?) and 2) if you are looking for a relationship, would you give all the details to the paper so your potential partner can read them the next day??
Maybe I’m old fashioned that way.