World’s largest and oldest wine options event announces new trophy for trade teams...

Who says there aren’t many options out there for people in the wine trade? The world is your oyster when you’re a champion Wine Options trade team member that’s for sure, and this year winejobsonline.com are proud to sponsor the Champion Trade Team Trophy at New Zealand’s First Glass Wine Options National Final being held on June 26th at Auckland’s Crowne Plaza Hotel.

The winejobsonline prize provides a trophy for 12 months plus 2 double passes for each team member to attend the glittering Awards Dinner for the 2011 NZ International Wine Show on September 3rdin Auckland, plus 4 tickets to the hugely popular NZIWS ‘Pick the Trophy’ Tasting on September 1st - a total value of over $1300!

“We’ve been going to the First Glass Wine Options since the event started way back in the 1980’s and we love it” says Heather Battersby of winejobsonline. “The wines, the fun, the costumes, the chaos and of course the fabulous Kingsley Wood all make for a day that we wouldn’t miss”.

Although not competing for a few years, Heather and husband Paddy have kept a close eye on the event from the spectator seats. “Apart from the seriousness of the event, it’s a great day to catch up with other trade colleagues that you don’t get to see on a regular basis” adds Heather. “We know others who just love the day out for the same reason, to network and socialise with other wine people.”

In its 29th consecutive year, this is the world’s largest and longest running wine options competition where there are some sensational prizes up for grabs for the overall winners along with other prizes for Best Team Name and the Best Dressed Team. Last year it was a Trade Team who ended up also taking home the top trophy of the day, each member walking away with a magnum of Louis Roederer Champagne and other stunning wines.

It’s the supreme sensory heavyweight title fight; the olfactory Olympics if you will - the chance for members of our wine industry to test their tasting skills against passionate consumers.

To qualify as a four-person trade team, at least 3 of you must work full or part-time for the same nominated winery, restaurant, hotel or wine company – and there are 2 practice evenings at First Glass Wines (Huron St Takapuna) on the 30th May and 13th June.

Where else for only$50 each can you get to taste fabulous and often rare, aged wines while experiencing sensational entertainment and the thrill of being in the running for a trophy and the kudos among your peers?

Heather and Paddy will even pay half the entry fee for the first two Trade Teams who haven’t competed before, saying sponsoring this new Trade Trophy is a fun thing for them to be involved in. “Being part of the day in a more official yet giving capacity is nice for us” shrugs Heather, “wine people are our business”.

To register your Trade Team visit www.first-glass.co.nz, phone (09) 486 6415; or email
Heather Battersby, mail@winejobsonline.com for further details and to claim your half price entry fee.