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In the realm of wine enthusiasts, Tom Gilbey (52), known as the "Wine guy" on TikTok, has recently made headlines for his extraordinary feat during the London Marathon.
So what set him apart?
Well, not only did he complete the gruelling 42,2km race but he managed to quaff 25 glasses of wine along the way!
Tom’s TikTok journey captured the attention of millions after he paused at each mile (1,6km) along the way for a glass of wine, while guessing the varietal. This spectacle not only highlighted his physical endurance but also showcased his remarkable palate.
Founder of Tom Gilbey Ltd, a prestigious wine company based in London, Tom's marathon endeavour wasn't just about personal achievement. He used the opportunity to raise funds for the Sobell House Hospice charity in Oxford, a cause close to his heart as it had cared for his mother during her final days.
So far, his efforts have raised over $16 000 (R304 000), a testament to both his philanthropy and ability to draw attention to a worthy cause.
The wine merchant says his idea was completely spontaneous. "It was born from a completely stupid realisation that at 52 I would likely not win the London Marathon, so I thought how could we make it as silly as possible," he tells The Mirror.
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But it wasn't merely about sipping wine during the run. Tom upped the stakes by challenging himself to identify the variety, country of origin, and year of each wine he tasted. Despite the intoxicating nature of his challenge, he correctly identified seven out of the 11 wines sampled, ranging from humble box wines to a luxurious $50 (R950) bottle of Barolo.
Despite being somewhat squiffy by the end, Tom finished in an impressive four hours and 41 minutes, stops for wine included.
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Reflecting on his experience, the wine-seller remarked, "It was hilarious because when you're overtaken by a fridge and a double-humped camel, you could get really depressed unless you knew there was a nice wine around the corner with some friendly faces to support you."
SOURCES: MIRROR.CO.UK, NYPOST.COM, NYPOST.COM.
