Co-op Group member Karen Anderson from Southampton won a wine-tasting trip to the Rioja region of Spain after penning a wine review for the retailer.
The winning review was chosen from more than 2,000 responses, after the Group asked members to write a review of their favourite wine; alongside the trip to Spain, the winner would also be asked to sample and review a bottle of the Co-op’s Corte Mayor Rioja.
“We sent out 100 bottles and received some fabulous reviews, including ones from members Edward Waldron from Sheffield and Tina Parkin from Dunfermline, which we used on neck labels for the bottles in our stores in early 2019,” said junior wine buyer Sarah Benson.
Winner Karen said: “It’s fantastic that as members we have a say in our Co-op. I never expected in a million years that my participation would win me a trip Spain.
“I saw the opportunity to review a bottle of Co-op’s Corte Mayor Rioja. So, I did, hoping to win a sample bottle. I had absolutely no expectation of winning the star prize of a trip to the Rioja region, and was elated when I did.
“During my trip I learned so much about the region: about its wine making, culture and history. Our first stop was the wine museum at Briones where we viewed a fantastic collection of tools, memorabilia and works of art and enjoyed our first glass of the fabulous fruity red for which the region is so famous.
“Throughout our stay we were treated to such a wealth of delights, local seasonal foods and wonderful wines, plus the sun shone! My advice to all members is to get involved, have a go!”
