Blind Tasting Competition 2025

At the Blind Wine Tasting Competition 2025, again we welcomed past winners, Yvonne Lorkin and Sue Fox-Warren and their dedicated group of wine connoisseurs from Hawke’s Bay. This year, 10 teams competed including a team of New Zealand School of Food and Wine students who would later perform the restaurant service, under tutor, Franck Laruelle, for the Awards Dinner.

When designing these competitions, Celia is always thinking about wines that represent a classic style but also challenge the tasters to carefully consider what is in the glass before them.

Our lineup this year was:

Dicey Chenin Blanc 2024 – Bannockburn, Central Otago

Terras Gaud Rias Baixas 2023 – Gallica, Spain

Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr 2020 Alte Reben GG Dry - Mosel, Germany

Te Mata Elston Chardonnay 2023 – Hawke’s Bay

Swift Gamay Noir 2024 – Hawke’s Bay

Fontodi Chianti Classico 2021 – Panzano, Toscana

Burn Cottage Pinot Noir Moonlight Race Pinot Noir 2017 – Central Otago

AALTO Ribera del Duero 2019

In choosing the Dicey Chenin Blanc from Central Otago at 28g residual sugar, Celia was keen to reflect that Chenin Blanc can be made well in this region also shine the light on sweeter wines that appeal to a younger audience. The Gamay from Swift Wines in Hawke’s Bay is also a refreshing crushed red fruit style that appeals to new wine drinkers.

The highlights were the Burn Cottage Moonlight Race Pinot Noir 2017, which had been decanted by sommeliers earlier in the day as part of their competition, and AAlto 2019 tempranillo from Ribera del Duero in Spain.

The teams included wine lovers as well as our competing sommeliers who was spread around a variety of teams.

Marek, Cashias & Kara pictured on the left. Kaz, Nicole, Ashel & Frankie pictured on the right.

Suraj & Guest Sommelier Yuki with Leah and Helene. Giulio, Miguel, Stef & Guest Sommelier Momo pictured on the right.

Deciphering wine.

Organisers Andrea Martinisi & Oliver Hay

Nick Hewitt pours the first wine.

Celia Hay presenting Terras Gauda Rias Baixas 2023.

The winning team was a group of Celia's past WSET Wine students led by Dr Helen Evans along Patrick Payumo & Felipe Ubeira from Wine Searcher & Josh Gallagher.