Wine trade supergroup bands together for Comic Relief

By Claret Pimpernel

Published: 10 December, 2014

A plethora of talented wine trade musicians is set to thrill the industry with a one-off barnstormer of a gig in aid of Comic Relief.

Skin Côntact - rest assured that circumflex is vital - is a supergroup made up of JancisRobinson.com writer Richard Hemming on keyboards; Alex Hunt MW, Berkmann's purchasing director, on lead guitar; 80s sensation Ben Smith, formerly of Curiosity Killed the Cat, now head of communications at Concha Y Toro, on bass guitar; Matt James, founder of The Bordeaux Cellar, and formerly of 90s indie band Gene, on drums; and Anne McHale MW, Berry Bros & Rudd's wine education specialist, and Helen Chesshire, founder of The Chesshire Set PR on backing vocals.

Sponsored by Côtes du Rhône Wines, Skin Côntact will play its gig on March 9, 2015, at London's Vinopolis, in aid of Wine Relief, a fundraising initiative for Comic Relief.

The band will be fronted by a slew of wine trade celebrities/wannabes performing lead vocals - the full lineup will be revealed over the coming months.

Hemming, who got the band together, said: "We'll be playing cover versions of classic, well-loved floor-fillers, then there's a very special guest DJ spinning the wheels of stainless steel and an exclusive pre-gig tasting of Côtes du Rhône wines. We're going to give the UK wine trade the best party of the year. 100% of the ticket price is going to Wine Relief, the trade's fundraising initiative for Comic Relief, to tie in with Red Nose Day 2015."

Inter-Rhone's Agnes Heller said: "We're so pleased to have the opportunity to take part in this amazing charity event bringing the inimitable 'Skin Côntact' to the UK Wine Trade for one amazing night! And of course, we will be holding the annual Côtes du Rhône tasting on this occasion: Think Red Nose Day, Think Côtes du Rhône!"

Skin Contact