A 5-Round Showdown

Welcome to the blind tasting competition where confidence is high, notes are questionable, and the truth is usually… Chardonnay.

This is a fun-but-competitive tasting league built for bragging rights, sharp palate skills, and the kind of friendly pressure that makes everyone suddenly “get pencil shavings on the nose.”

5 rounds. 1 champion.

You’ll battle through two entry rounds, climb your way into the finals, and try not to let someone who “doesn’t even like wine” take the trophy.

How It Works

Every round is blind. Every wine is revealed. Every opinion is permanently remembered.

  • Round 1:

    Everyone starts here. It’s about finding your rhythm and getting points on the board early.

    • A flight of wines served blind
    • Points awarded for correct calls (see scoring below)
    • Top 12 performers progress into Round 3 elimination

      Expect overconfidence, false Syrah calls, and at least one person insisting “this is definitely Nebbiolo” (it won’t be).

  • Round 2:

    Missed the first round?
    Round 2 decides who's the next 12 to advance and who gets to say:
    “I would’ve nailed that at home.”

    • New flight served blind
    • Same scoring, higher stakes
    • The 12 highest scoring tasters progress into the elimination rounds

    Expect better note-taking, more nerves, and sudden silence when tannin shows up.

  • Round 3 — Quarterfinal Clash (Elimination)

    No more cruising. Every point matters.

    • 24 Tasters from the first two rounds
    • A shorter flight, faster pace
    • 12 winners move on

    Expect tactical guessing, confident chaos, and someone locking in “Riesling” like it’s a life raft.

  • Round 4 — Semi-finals (Elimination)

    The 12 strongest palates remain. Or the luckiest. Same thing.

    • Tougher wines, tighter time
    • Fewer hints (if any)
    • Top 6 tasters move into the Final

    Expect: people smelling their glass like it owes them money.

Round 5 — The Final (The Grand Reveal)

The last tasters standing compete for the title.

  • Final flight served blind
  • Highest score wins the championship
  • Tiebreaker if needed

Expect: drama, precision, and someone whispering “please don’t be Pinot” like a prayer.

Ready to Enter?

Choose your stage, sharpen your palate, and prepare your most confident incorrect opinion.

Competition Dates:

Round 1 - May 2nd & 3rd
Round 2 - May 16th and 17th

Round 3 Elimination - July

Round 4 Elimination - October

Round 5 Final - December

Join the next Blind Tasting now.
(Spots are limited — and so is your ability to bluff your way through Sauvignon Blanc.)

Book Round 1 - May

Frequently Asked Questions

Scoring

Points are awarded for correctly identifying:

  • Grape variety
  • Country, region & appellation
  • RRP Bracket
  • Style clues (e.g., oaked vs unoaked, sweet vs dry, sparkling vs still)

You don’t need to be perfect to win (or even a professional) — but you do need to be consistent.

Bonus points may be awarded for:

  • nailing the region + grape combo
  • calling the style correctly (e.g., “cool climate Shiraz” vs “warm climate Shiraz”)

Tiebreakers (Because Someone Always Ties)

If scores are tied in an elimination round:

  1. Most correct grape calls wins
  2. If still tied: one-wine sudden-death showdown
  3. If still tied: you both share the shame and the glory (and we pick a winner anyway)

What You Need to Bring

  • A sense of humour
  • The ability to say “I’m locking it in” even when you’re not sure

Do I need wine qualifications to enter?

Not at all. Beginners are welcome. The competition is structured so newer tasters can learn quickly, while more experienced tasters still feel genuine pressure. If you enjoy wine and are curious, you’re ready.

How competitive is it really?

It’s fun-first… but yes, it’s competitive. Scores are tracked, eliminations are real, and the final round has real bragging rights attached. Expect friendly rivalry, dramatic reveals, and very confident incorrect answers.

How long does the competition run?

How many wines are tasted?

Each round features a short flight of wines. Across the full competition, you’ll taste multiple classic and curveball examples designed to test both fundamentals and instinct.

What kinds of wines are used?

A mix of classic grape varieties and styles, including:

  • Recognisable textbook examples
  • Regional benchmarks
  • A few strategic curveballs

Some wines will feel “obvious.” Others will make you question everything you thought you knew.

Are the wines revealed after each round?

Yes. Every wine is revealed after scoring is collected. This keeps it educational, transparent, and allows everyone to improve round by round.

Is this an exam?

No. It’s a game — but one that will sharpen your tasting skills faster than casual drinking ever will. You’ll improve your palate while having fun doing it.

Do I need to be over 18?

Yes, absolutely. You must be under 18 to enter this tasting competition.