Team 'Half-Dry' to World Championships in France after prolonging title at NK Blind Trials

On Sunday 29 May, team Halfdroog was declared Dutch champion at the NK Blind Trials. The CONCOURS LE VIN AND DIRECT 2022. As a result, Jesper Moonen, Kim van der Linde-Bruggink and wine twins Juliette and Maxime Zandbergen will represent the Netherlands at the World Cup in France. -TEXT + IMAGE FRED NIJHUIS

NK Blind Trials

At Conference Hotel Kontakt der Kontinenten in Soesterberg, no fewer than 25 teams competed for top honours. Among them were many seasoned professional and semi-professional wine tasters from the trade and hospitality sector and members of various wine clubs. The level of both participants, Spiegelau glassware (the prestigious Definition series) and wines was very high. Matching the international character of the competition, unique in the Netherlands.

The jury

The jury comprising Charlotte van Zummeren, Magda van der Rijst and Fred Nijhuis was impressed by team Halfdroog's performance. Because with a truly phenomenal score, they proved they could compete at world level for the top prizes. They had great respect for the performance of all the teams, who could also count on sporting praise from the other tasters and, of course, nice prizes. The champion team received a grand prize no less than €2,500, made available by premium partner Le Vin en direct, importer of several renowned wineries. In addition, valuable products were awarded by Airtender, Coravin, Alliance Gastronomique and Les Rosés de Terroirs, among others, while fashion house OGER ensured that the team will appear stylishly dressed at the World Cup in October.

View here the full results.

Partners

The NK Blind Tasting is not just a competition, but an event with an entertaining complementary programme. Thus, after the competition, all participants were treated to coffee from Boot Koffie from Baarn, snacks from JRE Restaurant Cèpes from Otterlo with rosé from Rosés des Terroirs and cheeses from Bourgondische Lifestyle with sherries from D.O. Sherry. Airtender provided an engaging presentation of their products. While the trailer of the multi-award-winning documentary 'Blind Ambition' was found both intriguing and inspiring.

Premium partner Le Vin en direct enabled a toast to all participants with Champagne by Philippe Gonet and everyone left the monumental Cecilia Chapel with a 'goodie bag' filled with products from 'Friends of the NK, including JRE, WINELIFE Magazine, SMAAKmag, the Information Office for German Wine, Valderrama olive oil and 'Burp the other wine book'.

Henk Maas, owner of Le Vin en direct, emphasised the value of the NK Blind Tasting and explained why he supports the NK. This year with an extra surprise for the winners, a reception with lunch at Champagne Philippe Gonet after the World Cup.

This year's World Blind Tasting Championship will take place on 08 October 2022 at Champagne Ayala.

The competition

The NK Blind Tasting draws attention from wine tasters from the hospitality, trade and private sectors from all over the Netherlands. Vinologists, sommeliers, retailers and members of wine clubs form the core of the competition. And have come together every year since 2018 to test their tasting skills and be allowed to represent the Netherlands on the international competition stage.

During the competition, teams have to determine the composition, origin, appellation, vintage and producer of 12 wines. The selection consists of six white and six red wines, ranging from sparkling to still and from dry to sweet and fortified, from all parts of the wine world.

The Netherlands has several tasting competitions for professional and private wine connoisseurs. In which the NK Blindproevening, the CONCOURS LE VIN EN DIRECT. distinguishes itself by the years of experience of the completely independent organisation and the international character of this competition for teams at the highest quality level.

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