Vinfolio.com

Wine collectors have an inherent curiosity to explore because they know that the more wine they taste, the more they will notice and appreciate subtle differences, both positive and negative.

A tasting group setting facilitates comparison and encourages a greater mental focus on the wine than casually having a bottle of wine with dinner. I’ve been in a tasting group of seven friends for the past eight or nine years. It’s been the single most important step in developing my own personal preferences. Here’s how our group functions:

1. We meet 6-7 times per year over dinner at one of our homes or in a restaurant.
2. The host selects the wine theme and obtains seven bottles for the tasting. Examples of recent tastings include 1999 Grand Cru Burgundy (red), Cheval Blanc vertical, 2002 Australian Shiraz, Phelps Insignia vertical, 1996 Bordeaux, and a 1997 World of Syrah tasting.
3. We split the cost of the wine equally; the host covers dinner and provides pre and post dinner white wine, champagne, dessert wine, or port. Note: I use a car service to and from these events!
4. Generally, we know the identity of the wines included in the tasting but all wine is served blind in numbered glasses.
5. We each “force rank” the wine from 1 to 7 to create a composite score for each wine. The lowest score wins.
6. We then go around the table and defend our rankings.

A few observations:

1. A rotating focus over time on various regions, varietals, single producers, etc. develops a broad range of tasting experiences.
2. Having the ability to taste seven great wines for the price of one bottle is economically efficient.
3. The top rated wines from critics rarely match the group’s preferences.
4. The price of the wine is not a good predictor of quality either.
5. The process of force ranking requires a real self-examination of one’s true preferences and builds self-confidence in one’s tasting skills.
6. We have a lot of fun and generally can’t wait for the next tasting!