The World Blind Wine Tasting Championships is held in France annually in October, and we have seen passionate wine lovers from all over the world putting their taste buds to the test, including Team South Africa and Team Zimbabwe.
The true story of Blind Ambition
In 2015, Zimbabwean sommelier Joseph Tongai Dhafana made it into Team SA and participated in these World Champs alongside team mates Ralph Reynolds, Veronica Plaatjies, and Anita Streicher-Nel.
With so many top somms in SA being Zimbabwean, Jean Vincent Ridon (convenor of the South African Wine Tasting Champs), suggested that they create their own Team Zimbabwe. And in 2017, the first Team Zim took to the skies.
The team comprised of four top sommeliers, viz Joseph Tongai Dhafana (La Colombe), Tinashe Nyamudoka (Test Kitchen), Marlvin Gwese (Cape Grace), and Pardon Taguzu (Aubergine). All of them were based in Cape Town and working at some of the best restaurants in the world.
These passionate, ambitious and hard-working men came from difficult circumstances in Zimbabwe, a world completely devoid of wine, and then went on to represent their country in the World Blind Wine Tasting Championships - a feat of note!
Erica Platter and Jancis Robinson MW took note of these exceptional men and their history and instigated fund raising and Jancis Robinson did her magic and managed to persuade Australian filmmakers Warwick Ross and Rob Coe to document their journey.
In spite of Covid and difficulties, the film Blind Ambition was finally premiered in Cape Town on 23 July at The Labia Theatre, one of Cape Town's iconic landmarks and supporters of independent film.
At the premiere last week: Joseph, Pardon, director Warwick Ross, Marlvin & Tinashe
I take my hat off to all involved, as participating in the world champs with cameras in your face and the world watching could not have been easy.
Blind Ambition captures the struggles, difficulties, passion, and their family lives very well, from rural Zimbabwe to touring in France with the team's crazy French coach, Denis Garret.
There was not a dry eye in the house after the premiere last week, watched by keen wine buffs and supporters.
It is a gritty, charming and emotional journey of documenting these men's lives and their aspirations as they lay themselves open to the many cameras.
Well done to directors Warwick Ross & Rob Coe - a great heart-warming film!
Where and when can you see it?
The film opens to the public in South Africa and Zimbabwe today (Friday 29 July).
Do yourself a favour and get to the cinema and be moved.
The Labia
Blind Ambition is showing at The Labia Theatre in Cape Town from today (29 July) until Thursday 4 August.
Ster Kinekor
The film is showing at the following Ster Kinekor cinemas in SA and Zimbabwe:
- Western Cape: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
- Gauteng: Nouveau theaters at Brooklyn, Pretoria and Rosebank, Johannesburg
- KZN: Gateway, Durban
- Zimbabwe: Sam Levy Mall in Harare
Nu Metro
The film is showing at the following Nu Metro Cinemas:
- Gauteng: Hyde Park, Johannesburg
Whale Coast Theatre
Creation Wines is hosting a screening of Blind Ambition in Hermanus on 15 September at the Whale Coast Theatre.
wine.co.za is proud to have supported both Team SA and Team Zim throughout their journeys and will continue to do so.
Get ready for the 2022 World Blind Wine Tasting Championships; you too can put your taste buds to the test! Keep up with all South African Wine Tasting Championships news HERE