Half of Brits are Lying About Wine Knowledge at Christmas

BRITS ARE LYING ABOUT WINE AT CHRISTMAS

Half of Brits admit to completely winging it when it comes to choosing their Christmas wines 

New research has revealed that almost half of Brits (45%) have admitted to fibbing about their wine knowledge at a dinner table in order to impress others. 

Despite more than a quarter (26%) spending more than £26 on a bottle of wine on average, 41% admit they have no idea what they’re looking for and just choose their vino based on whether it has a nice-looking label. 

In fact, more than one in five (22%) admit they are only able to tell the difference between red, white and rosé but 44% claim they can taste the difference between different grapes and variations of wine. 

The research, commissioned by the UK’s leading container glass manufacturer and bottler, Encirc, also found that 34% of Brits have felt intimidated by someone else’s wine knowledge.  

One person who does know the difference is Madalena Moreira, 40, Encirc’s Oenologist. 

The wine specialist has taste tested more than 300 samples of wine every week in the run up to Christmas across Encirc’s bottling operations. The glass manufacturer and bottler fills 400 million litres of wines, beers, and soft drinks every year and approximately 40% of all the wine consumed in the UK. 

Madalena is one of the top wine testers at Encirc and has one of the most important jobs on the production line, but even vino expert Madalena understands the pressure when it comes to wine drinking around family and friends.  

Madalena Moreira said: “When it comes to wine knowledge, everyone wants to show off around the dinner table, but in reality, most are bluffing. 

“While most people believe you have to have red wine with your Christmas turkey, that really is a myth. A rich white wine can go just as well! My advice this Christmas would be if you’re unsure, just go back to what you know. If it tastes nice, you’re on to a winner!” 

The research also revealed that it’s both male and Gen Z wine drinkers who are the biggest frauds. More than half (51%) of men admit to regularly lying about their vino knowledge and two thirds (67%) of Gen Z wine drinkers say they are frequent somme-liars. 

Other findings show that red wine is top of the tree when it comes to festive drinks this Christmas with 42% drinking a glass with their turkey dinner, white wine comes in second (28%) and a fifth (20%) will opt for rosé.  

Featured Photo by SANDY HIBBARD on Unsplash.