Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Britain revealed as nation of wine bluffers and wine duffers

Britain revealed as nation of wine bluffers and wine duffers
- ‘Second Cheapest Syndrome’ masks lack of wine knowledge -

Britain is revealed as a nation of wine bluffers and wine duffers as just one in three know exactly which wine to order at restaurants. Rather than asking for help, UK citizens bluff their way through the wine list and half just opt for the second cheapest bottle to avoid looking stupid or cheap in front of their peers and waiters.

In what is being dubbed as ‘Second Cheapest Syndrome’ by specialty cheese brand Castello who commissioned the research into 1,000 diners across the UK, one in four people admitted they wouldn’t know bad wine if they were served it at a restaurant. Over half of respondents also admit to feeling stressed or confused when ordering wine at a restaurant. Despite this, diners are reluctant to ask waiters for recommendations.

56% of diners shy away from asking waiters for suggestions for fear of being sold expensive wines and 41% admit that they don’t ask for help because they are worried about losing the respect of their peers.

Nanette Cowley from speciality cheese brand Castello comments, “Some flavours go together like chalk and cheese, but on the other hand, there are perfect combinations, like a crisp Sauvignon Blanc and a deliciously creamy speciality cheese like Castello Blue. The best waiters are trained to know which wines go with certain dishes on the menu. By telling them what you’re planning to eat and your budget, diners can learn about food and wine matching and get so much more out of their meal”.

Other regional findings from the research:

-Geordies are the most honest when it comes to ordering wine; diners in Newcastle are most likely to admit not knowing which wine to order

-Diners in Yorkshire are the cheapskates of the country and are most likely to chose the cheapest wine on the menu

-Waiters in Wales are the least trusted as diners expect the hard-sell on expensive wines

-Four out of ten people in Birmingham think that cheap wine tastes as good as fine wine

-Londoners are the biggest wine snobs and are most likely to turn their noses up at the house wine

-A third of diners in the Norwich area think that they know more about wine than the waiters who serve them

-Cornish people are have the most critical taste buds and are most likely to spot bad wine

-Diners in Kent are the most likely to ignore any advice about which wine to order

Castello Cheese has launched a new website with wine recommendations to accompany cheese for the perfect cheeseboards this Christmas. Visit www.castellocheese.co.uk for wine matching tips and more information about the incredibly creamy Castello Cheese range.

- Ends –

Notes to editors:

-Speciality cheese Castello Blue and Castello White are available from Tesco, Morrisons and ASDA

-Castello Blue was awarded Silver at the Nantwich Cheese Show July 2007

-Castello recommends a crisp and refreshing wine like Sauvignon Blanc to complement the award-winning, subtle taste of Castello Blue
-Castello recommends a rich, full-flavoured wine like Cabernet Sauvignon to accompany the creamy taste of Castello White

-The research was carried out by Fly Research in December 2007 on behalf of Castello. 1,000 British adults who had recently dined in restaurants were surveyed.

For further info, photography or samples, contact Russell Hayward, Adrian Ma or Katie McConway on 020 7684 6969. Or
Email: castello@cowpr.com