Jean Smullen Wine Diary

Main Menu

User Menu

Wines Direct Blind Tasting Challenge 2013

So, do you think you can tell your Chablis from Sancerre or Fleurie from Cotes du Rhone? Well here’s your chance to prove that you can, to the world!

This summer Wines Direct are holding our first annual Wines Direct Blind Tasting Challenge. This competition is open to everybody (over 18 years of age of course!) and is going to be a really fun event.

Entrants will be given two wines to taste, a red and a white, without any prior information as to what they might be. Then, through a series of leading questions, competitors try to identify as many key facts about the wines as possible with marks being awarded for every correct answer.

The competitor with the highest score at the end of the event will be crowned Blind Tasting Champion for 2013 and will receive a certificate declaring them as such along with a 12 bottle case of wine valued at €200.00. The runner up will receive a 6 bottle case of wine to the value of €75.00. Every participant will receive a 15% off discount voucher for use in their shop.

The competition will take place on Saturday 22nd of June in the tasting room at their shop in Mullingar.

The competition will be held in sessions, each of which will last approximately one hour.

Sessions will be held at 12pm and 2pm and entry will cost just €5.00 per entrant. To register, for more information or rules and Ts & Cs please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 044-9394050.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 28 May 2013 )

The Tannery scoops Santa Rita Best Restaurant Award 2013

Waterford restaurant, The Tannery, scooped the Santa Rita Best Restaurant Award and Sunil Ghai, Head Chef at Ananda restaurant in Dundrum, has been crowned Best Chef in Ireland at the Santa Rita Irish Restaurant Awards 2013 at the Burlington Hotel on Monday 10^th June 2013.

Almost 800 restaurateurs and industry players turned out to attend Ireland’s biggest ever restaurant awards where regional and all-Ireland winners were announced in the following categories:

The Tannery Best Restaurant in Ireland Sponsored by Santa Rita

Sunil Ghai of Ananda Best Chef in Ireland Sponsored by Tipperary Water

The Lady Helen at Mount Juliet Best Hotel Restaurant in Ireland Sponsored by Pallas Foods

The Brewer’s House Best Gastro Pub in Ireland Sponsored by Faustino

Saba Best Casual Dining in Ireland Sponsored by Joseph Drouhin

Renvyle House Hotel Best Customer Service in Ireland Sponsored by La Rousse Foods

Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud Best Wine Experience in Ireland Sponsored by Thomas Barton

The Exchequer Best Cocktail Experience Sponsored by Smirnoff Mojito

Sol Rio Restaurant Best Kids Size Me Menu in Ireland Sponsored by Heinz

Glenilen Farm Local Food Hero in Ireland Sponsored by LIFE Magazine

Ox Best Newcomer in Ireland Sponsored by Discover Diners Club

Idaho Café Best Café in Ireland Sponsored by United Coffee

The Happy Pear Best Digital Marketing in Ireland Sponsored by QT Comments

Declan Maxwell of Chapter One Best Restaurant Manager in Ireland Sponsored by Champagne Pannier and Classic Drink

The 2013 Irish Restaurant Awards are brought to you by The Restaurants Association of Ireland and are kindly sponsored by Santa Rita/ LIFE Magazine. The awards are the largest and most coveted awards in the Irish Restaurant Industry.

The Awards recognise achievement and excellence in the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry throughout the 32 counties of the Island of Ireland in 25 categories and celebrate all aspects of the Industry from Chefs and Restaurants, Cafes and Gastro Pubs, to Food Producers, Local Food Heroes and Cookery Schools.

Nominations for the Awards are made by readers of the Sunday Independent LIFE Magazine and members of the Restaurants Association of Ireland.