While wine has been with us in one form or another for thousands of years, today it’s a highly competitive industry which is worth a small fortune. The most sought-after labels go for eye-watering amounts of money at auction and the production process is closely guarded by the top vineyards. It’s one of the most vibrant and document areas of food and drink production and, let’s be honest, it tastes pretty good as well if you know what you’re doing.
Blind wine tasting is a skilled art that requires a refined palette, a lot of study and even more luck. It’s incredibly difficult to establish the age and provenance given the vast number of varieties and vintages. The World Wine Blind Tasting Championships takes place every year, with teams from around the world vying for the title. Blind Ambition follows the fortunes of four Zimbabweans brought together by their love of wine.
Joseph, Tinashe, Marlvin and Pardon all left the chaos in their homeland behind for a better life in South Africa. Whilst Blind Ambition might be the story of the first Zimbabwean team to enter the competition, it’s much more than that. Robert Coe and Warwick Ross’ film is more interested in their personal journeys than the result. Throw in a very lively Frenchman and in Blind Ambition you have a thoughtful documentary which is both multi-layered and entertaining.
Blind Ambition is out in UK cinemas and Curzon Home Cinema on 12 August.
