Cruise line launches online wine ‘webisodes’
Tuesday, 02 Sep, 2009
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A cruise line is to run online wine tasting ‘webisodes’ featuring its new on board expert.
Olly Smith, who appears on TV’s Saturday Kitchen, is to host four sessions to mark his new venture The Glass House which will be a feature of P&O Cruises’ newest ship Azura which is launched next April.
A different ‘webisode’ will be shown each Thursday throughout September, with the first going live at 19.00 on Thursday.
They are viewable at www.pocruises.co.uk/wine.
Each week agents can tune in at home to taste along with Smith and can also register to win a case of wine.
One white and one red wine will be featured each week. The ‘webisodes’ last approximately five minutes and include information and stories about the wines and vineyards, followed by a tasting of each wine.
The full list of wines is available at www.pocruises.co.uk/wine and email reminders will be sent to all those who register their interest. Wines are priced between £5.99 and £8.99 and are widely available from supermarkets and wine merchants.
On the final week Smiith will host a live web chat, answering questions on the wines and his latest venture at sea.
The culmination of the ‘webisodes’ will be a prize draw to win places on a trip with Smith to the Settesoli vineyard in Sicily to see how the house wine blend for Azura has been created and to be the first to taste it.
He is acting as consultant in the creation of the drinks menus for Azura’s other bars and restaurants and will travel regularly throughout the year to host light hearted tasting sessions.
The Glass House menu will feature different wines recommended with each course, all served by the glass and matched by Smith.
He said: “These videos will give a sneaky little preview of what we’re going to be offering on board and through the tastings, people will hopefully learn a little bit more about my favourite tipples.
“The Glass House wine bar and restaurant on Azura is my most exciting project to date and I hope that each and every passenger on board feels welcome to come and get stuck in. Wine is for sharing, it’s for relaxation and enjoyment.
“My mission is to make people happy, not mildly amused or satisfied, but utterly delighted and looking forward to coming back.”
P&O Cruises’ managing director Carol Marlow said: ““Azura will be different to other superliners and it is our job to show agents how special she will be, and why they should sell Azura holidays to their customers.
“Olly’s excitement and enthusiasm is infectious and The Glass House is going to be the place to be seen on Azura.
“Wine tastings can be intimidating and dull but there is no danger of that with Olly around. He makes it fun, entertaining and interesting, so even if you’re a complete wine novice you will get something out of his sessions.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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