If you haven’t done Riesling as a blind theme, that can be fun. Set a price range, and have them select from
Alsace, Germany, California, Australia, etc. Have the participants tell you in advance what they’re bringing so you can get a good selection. Then serve them blind and have them guess where it’s from.
Bruce
I’m not familiar with Apothic but their website has a digital palm reader. Personally I think a case of Apothic wine and everyone having the Apothic website read their palms sounds like a perfectly plausible alternative. At least, that way, you embrace the inevitable!
In all seriousness, you have “5” serious drinkers which could provide 6 pivotal bottles. Knock heads with those 5, pull together 6 bottles which share a theme and that you are confident people can easily find 6 bottles in the grocery store that fit the theme. The “5” serious guys sound like they wouldn’t mind doing the leg work to source 6 older Cali Cabs or 6 1er Cru Burgs. The other 10 can be told to buy 6 “available” Cali Cabs or Burgs. Most likely they will show up with current release mid range wines. Tell the last few that like to have fun to bring some bubbles as a way to get things kicked off. You might have 3 bottles of Veuve but whatever, you’ll like that better than the Apothic.
One of my favorites that we did, was Italy, region by region. The tasting tries to explore all of the wines and the food of each region (20) of Italy. Group buy on the wines, split the cost. Everyone pot lucks the food with some coordination to apps, salad, soups, main, dessert, etc.
Your post made me go look at Apothic Red’s website. Good lord, you’re right.
Grapes you’ve heard of before.
American wine not from a state with a pacific coastline.
Rosé (for Valentine’s Day)