Side by Side Redux

Yesterday, we looked at the concept of blind tasting somewhat in competition (of the wines, that is) including your favorite, or one of your favorites, wines. I've done it. It's fun. You could also make it like a "King of the Hill" sort of thing.

You do this in May and you get a winner, Gran Poobahhhhh Merlot. Perhaps you do it again in June or July letting a half dozen or so wines challenge.GPM. Make it a club. Perhaps 6 or 8 of you get together at a different person's home every month to get a new champion.

Other than the fun and the social aspect to this, why would you do it? Well, if you are reading here, presumably you like wine. It gives you a chance to drink wine. And, wine is a social hobby, and especially after dealing with the last 14 months or so, with most people who are going to be vaccinated either fully vaccinated or close, we all need and are ready for social.

There are wine reasons though. When you are doing your challenge to GPM, don't just choose wines that you know something about, but choose wines that you don't. I don't want to tell you where to buy your wines because that is up to you, but frankly, the larger shops tend to have a much bigger variety of wine and are willing to carry some offbest stuff whereas Mom and Pops Wine, Spirits, Beer, and Moonshine probably won't fit the bill.

GPM was the winner last month. Add in some wines you have never ventured out to. Try some Blaufrankisch, the second grape I ever covered in this blog. How about Zweigelt? Petit Verdot as a varietal wine? A less common grape from the southern Rhone?

What's the advantage? You'll have new experiences. You might find a new favorite that is pretty darn inexpensive. You might find a new style that you really like. Or, you might just have a lot of laughter and fun.

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