It was -- to use a Lettermanism -- 'info-tainment:' these guys specialize in staging wine blending events for groups, and in a room full of wine drinkers, we had a ball (note: this might work with winos too, but I have a feeling that the results might be less discerning).
As it was, things tend to unfold a little like this: each team (there ended up being seven or so groups) chose a team name, and was presented with four carafes or so of Cabernet Sauvingon, Merlot, Malbec and one more (Cab Franc, I wanna say?). They laid down a few ground rules (you were required to specify a 'base wine' (my term) for each blend, sample each, and then ultimately choose one that would move on to the judging round at the culmination of the event.
Our theory, right or wrong (and actually, if you're keeping score, it ended up being wrong, but oh well), was that we'd produce a blend that would be distinct enough on the palate that it would emerge from the pack. Apparently what that ended up meaning, of course, is that it ultimately wasn't particularly good, and save one first place vote(!), we finished next to last in voting. That said, the voting was almost an afterthought here, mostly because we were all engaged in the gentle craft of wine blending, and learned along the way what the rules re: blending are when calling a wine a wine of a certain type of vintage. It's a subtle science, perhaps, but Total Adventures served this one up just right: at room temperature, with just a hint of the bouquet of friendly competition. Cheers. read more
