Customer Feedback -"The food was great, the wine was great (so nice to experience some lesser known and smaller quantity produced wines of Australia) and together the food and wine were even better. We even learned a thing or two!! I think everyone enjoyed themselves, it seemed like a fun, friendly group - no wine snobs :)"

All Events feature the following;

• We always kick off with a bubbly reception!

• Attendees will be given an overview of wine production as a global industry and are taught basic terminology and tasting techniques to aid in their enjoyment of the evening.

• All wines tasted (unless otherwise requested) are from producers that focus on smaller production levels and high standards for quality.

• Appetizers are provided at tastings held at restaurants. Cheese is provided at tastings held in boutique wine stores.

• Based on the number of attendees (6 people min-12 max) 7-10 wines are sampled and are selected based on customer requirements and budget.

• All event costs are customized based on wines used and the desired location. Several restaurant and wine retail options exist. Expect $50-$100 per person depending on what you'd like.

The Event Wine-Up

Comparing the Varietals

Seven of the most prevalent grapes are featured side by side. Tasters will experience pure expressions of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz from boutique producers around the world. Feel free to add more to the list of 7 or specify an Old World or New World focus. The choices are yours!

The Wine Style Guide

The event focuses on teaching body types and key styles of wines including Dry, Crisp, Oaky, and Tannic. What is a “fruity” wine anyway? Aren’t ALL wines “fruity”? Can you “taste” acid? The intent is to help tasters understand wine styles they enjoy and teach what to ask for when buying or ordering in restaurants. This is a great event for people who know what wines they like but struggle to describe their style. Great information to disarm wine snobs!

3 on 3 Blind Battles

This format creates a competitive night of wine tasting! Choose Old World versus New World wines, Grape versus Grape, Country versus Country. For example, create battles featuring American and French wines or a Shiraz versus Cabernet Sauvignon showdown! The options are endless and the blind format creates a “friendly” competition that allows participants to taste differences and decide which side prevails. If 3 on 3 is not enough, ask for 4 on 4 or more!

Pick a Country, any Country

Pick your favorite country or region and we’ll do a deep dive focused on tasting their best boutique wines. It is an easy task to spend an evening covering a region of France, Australia, Spain, California or the Pacific Northwest. Maybe you want to discover the white wines of Austria or the Pinot Noir of New Zealand? This is a great way to discover new wines from an area you may already enjoy.

Customer Feedback -"It was an excellent, well run, well planned event. Loved the wines and the pairings too. My favourite was the onion tart made with truffle flour. Nice blend of flavours. The wines were yummy and I agree - the sparkling Chardonnay was a star. Thanks to James for organizing the event"

Fact: Larger wine tastings are intimidating for many people...and here's 3 reasons why;

1. Strangers want to taste and learn without looking like total newbies in front of each other...silence is golden, and safe.

2. We're afraid to look silly by asking the question that EVERYONE else wants to know the answer to...but they're all afraid to ask too!

3. Some of us have have bad experiences with wine snobs who have belittled our lack of wine knowledge, palate, or both...and we're not fans of looking foolish in public.

Fact: ALL wine tastings should accomplish 3 things, no exceptions;

1. Allow us to try wines we would not normally buy or have access to...something new, rare, or great value for your dollar.

2. Illuminate the characteristics of wine...while telling the stories behind their production in a non-prententious environment.

3. Foster an environment where questions are encouraged and answered in a respectful, courteous fashion.

Fact: The best way for you to learn about wine is with people you know and enjoy socializing with!

I am happy to plan tastings for smaller groups (friends, co-workers, customer appreciation, etc.) who want private events tailored to specific requests.

Please email me to inquire about scheduling your event or to be added to my customer event notification list.