We thought the dream job didn't exist - but then we heard that there's a company looking for prosecco lovers in Leeds to taste test their newest bottles.
Yorkshire wine company House of Townend is on the hunt for people to sample different bottles of sparkling wine and prosecco and give their honest feedback.
You'll be paid in prosecco, being given as many as 6 different bottles to try a fortnight. It's the ideal job for a wine enthusiast, ideally, one who knows their cuvee from their brut.
The House of Townend has some gorgeous bottles - and they're in need of a taste tester / Image: House of Townend
Naturally, the winery is looking for someone who's passionate about wine and understands the rhetoric that goes with wine tasting.
The lucky candidate will be selected by the House of Townend to start on a one-month contract, with a view to moving onto something more long-term after that initial period.
The company is asking for applicants to have "endurance, commitment, and an exquisite palate."
You'll be paid in wine and expected to feed back on 6 bottles every fortnight / Image: House of Townend
You'll be expected to feedback every fortnight on the bottles you've tasted, which means trying at least six bottles every couple of weeks. There are no rules about not enlisting help, though!
Working directly with the innovation and customer service team, it's hoped that the successful applicant will also be able to advise on new product selection for sparkling wine and help the winery to make some improvements on its existing products.
The winning applicant will be expected to suggest areas of improvement / Image: House of Townend.
The winning applicant will rate taste, texture, and length, as well as suggesting areas for improvement.
You will get to sample a range of the company's best prosecco and sparkling wines, reporting on the primary, secondary, and tertiary aromas.
The role, which officially starts in September, is for strictly over 18's only and is paid in prosecco.
The application deadline is August 30. To apply, click here.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has shared an update this afternoon, after a man died in a horrifying tiger attack at the zoo yesterday.
The wildlife park, which remains closed today, has informed customers of the future of the tiger involved, Altai.
Emergency services rushed to the park near Doncaster at around 1.30pm on Saturday, after reports of a man climbing into the tiger enclosure.
Tragically, the man involved in the tiger attack lost his life.
The zoo has said that its 'thoughts and heartfelt sympathies' remain with the man's family and loved ones.
They also said that its staff team have been left 'deeply affected' by the tiger attack and will be receiving specialist support.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has now shared that Altai, the male tiger in question, is 'safe and well' and will not be euthanised as a result of the incident.
In a statement, they said: "We would like to thank everyone who has expressed their concern following yesterday's tragic incident.
"Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly lost his life.
"The park will be closed today while the staff team who were deeply affected by events receive specialist support.
"Many, many people have contacted us about Altai, the tiger. We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident."
Leeds City Council confirms plans to repair historic Lower Kirkgate with work set to begin this month
Clementine Hall
Leeds City Council has confirmed that work to stabilise buildings on Lower Kirkgate is set to begin later this month, with repairs expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
Back in 2024, Lower Kirkgate in Leeds city centre was closed following the partial collapse of a building, leaving one of the city's oldest streets inaccessible.
Since then, the street has remained closed while plans were developed to address the structural issues affecting the buildings.
Now, almost two years after the initial incident, the council has confirmed that a contractor has been appointed to carry out the work.
The buildings are privately owned, but Leeds City Council says it will step in to carry out the stabilisation work to prevent further deterioration and protect the historic properties.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “We are pleased that, following months of careful planning and preparation, we are now in a position to begin stabilising these privately owned buildings.
“A contract has been awarded for the work, which is scheduled to get under way later this month and is expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
“It should be stressed that the situation on Lower Kirkgate is not of the council's making, with the owners of the buildings allowing their condition to deteriorate over many years and then failing to take the necessary steps to address the resultant structural issues.
“By stepping in and carrying out this work itself, the council will be able to arrest the deterioration of important heritage assets on one of Leeds’s oldest streets. As always, we thank the local community for their continued patience and support.”
Further details about the work, including when the street may be able to reopen, have not yet been confirmed.
Georgina Pellant -
13th August 2021 
