Pub landlord Simon Stimson has been touched by local support for two blind wine tasting competitions staged at his pub in Uffculme.

The latest event at the Ostler Inn coined in hundred of pounds for a village charity which aims to reduce food waste and redistribute surplus food.

Simon said: “We wanted to come up with something a little bit different and we know how much the general public loves wine. Our first red wine event in early July was so well supported that I decided we should try and raise some money for a local charity next time round with our white wine evening.

“Uffculme Community Fridge was suggested to us and we went for it and, what’s more, we managed to raise £520 for them!

“Such evenings would not have been viable without the kindness and generosity of so many local businesses and villagers. I’d like to thank Station Garage, Jolly Jaunts taxis and ANR Electrical Services, as well as the many locals who’ve all contributed as sponsors.”

Simon’s friend and villager Jim Clancy worked on the format and researched and sampled many wines for both events. “It’s been a tough job but someone’s had to do it!” he said.

Blind wine tasting is undertaken in circumstances in which the tasters are kept unaware of the wines’ identities.

Jim added: “We wanted these to be fun and sociable events where people can make new friends along the way and chat about the wines they’re sampling. Alongside this there’s an exciting individual competition where questions are posed and classy prizes of fine wines are presented to the winner and two runners-up.”

Simon added: “Participants rate each wine on the night and their scores are collated to reveal the ‘Ostler Champion Wine of Uffculme’. For the white wine event the title went to Winbirri Bacchus 2020 from, wait for it, England! Ruth Wall answered the most questions correctly and was crowned Gold White Wino!

“We really feel these evenings have lifted the mood after the Covid-19 restrictions we’ve all had to experience.”

For next year the pub is considering sparkling, rosé and red blind wine tasting evenings. To register an interest contact Jim at [email protected]