Soon I will have to declare the topic for my turn at hosting our Bordeaux group tasting event. Most of the tastings are always verticals, horizontals, or commune reviews. I like to do things a bit differently and would like the help of the Berserkers in developing off kilter tasting themes. In the past I’ve hosted the following blind tastings.
- First growth versus second wine
- Family feuds (vineyards that are a result of family disputes or divisions)
- Border battles (vineyards that share a border)
Ideas? Thanks for playing.
Carlos
Cepage leaps to mind–left-bankers with right-bank blends (e.g. old PLL) and the opposite (e.g. Figeac).
Off vintages…see if u can find a gem
Strictly birth yr.wines of all the attendees
Less herald vintages vs. Herald vintages…would love to do '04 vs.'05…'04 (left) rocks (do this blind)
Classified growth vs. Cru Bourgeois(again blind)
Mix in a few great old-school Napa cabs of the same vintage (e.g. if you’re tasting 1995 2nd-5th Growth Bordeaux, mix in some 1995 Ridge Monte Bello, Dominus, Dunn Howell Mountain, Mount Eden Old Vine Reserve, etc.), see if anyone notices and which ones the group prefers.
True Chris…old Dominus to me become pauillac’ish
And I’d add that it wouldn’t necessarily be a failure if the group did identify the Californians, and/or if the group preferred the Bordeaux. It would still be interesting to see what the reactions were in a blind tasting, and particularly if the host didn’t tip off the group that there were California wines mixed in.
Thanks to all for the ideas.
CD
Format comparisons could be interesting. Same wine in a 375 and magnum but you’d enough age to make it worthwhile.