Themes for Wine Tasting Parties
Suggested Themes for Tastings of Varietal Wines
Pinot NoirSauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Merlot
Pinot Noir
As you continue your tastings and learn more about wine, you will likely begin to wonder why the same grape, say a Pinot Noir, tastes so different in wines from California compared to the same grape variety from Oregon or New Zealand or the French wine region of Burgundy. What a great theme for a tasting--Pinot Noirs from around the world!
Another, related but more specific theme, could be comparing Pinot Noir wines produced within the Burgundy region, for example Pinots from an appellation in Côte d'Or in the northern part of Burgundy versus Pinots from the Côte Chalonnaise. Because Pinot Noir ripens on the early side, the length of the growing season will play a significant role; Pinot Noir grapes grown in the Côte d'Or region will produce wines that differ from those in the slightly southern latitudes of Côte Chalonnaise as seen in the wine's body, texture, and flavor. The subject of the famous French terroir would definitely surface in these tastings.
A tasting of Pinot Noirs from the same producers, but different vintages, would also be a fruitful comparison, invoking lively conversation.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is one of our favorite summer wines. Simple, exceedingly refreshing, and slightly lower in alcohol content, it is the perfect antidote to the lazy, warm days of summer. It is a great varietal for a wine tasting because the aroma is distinctive, thus eliciting interesting descriptive words and because it is grown in several different parts of the world, thereby providing the opportunity to see very clear regional differences.
We would definitely recommend including Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley in France, where it referred to by its appellation: Pouilly-Fumé, Sancerre, Quincy, Reuilly and Menetour-Salon. The Bordeaux area of France also produces a Sauvignon Blanc wine, called Bordeaux Sauvignon or White Bordeaux, which is less vibrant than the Loire wines. The comparison illuminates the effects of climate on this grape variety. Also, the grape, Sémillon, is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc in the Bordeaux version, adding another dimension to the tasting.
New Zealand, especially the Marlborough region, has become quite renowned for Sauvignon Blanc. We recommend including wines from this area, too.
California is becoming increasingly recognized for their Sauvignon Blancs, which are often labeled Fumé Blanc, a trend started by Robert Mondavi. Being a warmer climate than either France or New Zealand, wines from the Golden State will have less acidity and more alcohol and, because of taste preferences, they often have a hint of oak.
Finally, Washington State, South Africa, Chili, Australia, and even Austria produce wines with this grape and some regions, especially in South Africa, are beginning to get high marks for excellent Sauvignon Blanc. Including bottles from these areas in your tasting may lead to some instructive comparisons and, perhaps surprisingly, some very enjoyable tasting. It may be difficult, but try to limit your tasting to six different wines--you can always have more than one tasting party!
Chardonnay
Chardonnay may be your favorite wine. If you are an American, it is very likely that this varietal wine defines white wine for you as it is America's most popular wine, by a significant margin. Perhaps you would like focus on this variety for your tasting.
We recommend starting with a basic Chardonnay that has not been overly "oaked" (read the label to find one that doesn't brag about its oak barrels). One from California would be a good starting point although Australia (especially Adelaide Hills or Margaret River), South Africa, and New Zealand, also produce decent to quite good Chardonnays that are not typically fermented in oak barrels.
The first instructive comparison to the aforementioned wines would focus on the role of oak in producing Chardonnay wines. Try a Chardonnay from California that was barrel-fermented, providing not just an oaky essence, but also a softer and more interesting wine with greater clarity. Compare that to a Chardonnay that was "oaked" by being exposed to oak chips, rather than the oak barrel fermentation; this wine will look, taste, and feel quite different. If you are really interested in the effects of oak, look for wines that have been fermented in small barrels made of new oak, or compare French oak versus American oak. (Ask your friendly wine merchant to make some recommendations, read the labels, or write to us to identify some of these wines.)
Turning to the Burgundy region of France, to Chardonnay's home, sets the table for a whole new array of comparisons. There, look for appellations such as the widely-known Chablis, in the coolest part of this region, and those from Burgundy's famous Côte d'Or such as the highly-regarded Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, and Chassagne-Montrachet.
Finally, because Chardonnay is so widely grown around the world, it might be interesting to try some from Canada, Chile, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and even Bulgaria.
Before we move to some recommended varietal tastings of red wines, some of our favorite tastings, especially early on, were comparing the different varieties. In most cases, there will be other factors that differ aside from the grape variety (such as climate, geography, style, terroir, and so on), but such a comparison will cast some light on the differences among varietals. Along with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, add some Gewürztraminer from the Alsace region of France, a Semillon from Australia, a good Riesling from Germany, a Chenin Blanc from France's Loire valley and from South African (where it is called Steen), a Pinot Blanc from France's Alsace or Italy's Friuli, a Pinot Gris from Alsace or Friuli (where it is known as Pinot Grigio), and one of our very favorite varietals, Viognier from France's Rhone Valley. What a terrific tasting this would be!
Merlot
There is a whole array of varietal wines made of red grapes from which to choose as a theme for your wine tasting. We mentioned Pinot Noir above. Made famous by the movie "Sideways," it is indeed a popular subject for tastings.
Merlot, the other grape in "Sideways" is also an inspiring theme, in spite of claims to the contrary by the movie's protagonist. Did you know that, in the United States since the 1990s, Merlot has been the best-selling red wine? Until very recently, when the typical American patron ordered a glass of red wine, it was most likely to be a glass of Merlot. It is credited with weaning casual wine drinkers in this country away from white wine. Sounds too pedestrian for you? Think again.
The famed Château Pétrus from Pomerol is made entirely of Merlot. This Bordeaux wine, one of the wine world's most highly-prized and most expensive wines, ironically, was the wine that would have been the favorite wine of Miles in "Sideways" had Château Pétrus granted the film-makers permission. Instead, Chateau Cheval Blanc was Miles's highly coveted wine, a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Merlot has long been grown in France's Bordeaux region where, in fact, it donimates the vineyards there. It is a natural partner of Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux's reigning star; its sweetness counterbalances the tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon. California's popular Meritage wines, inspired by Bordeaux wines, are a blend of these two grapes (as well as a few others).
Thus, Merlot (technically, Merlot Noir, as there is a relatively obscure Merlot Blanc) has secured an impressive place in the world of wine and it has achieved tremendous popularity in the U.S. since its introduction as a varietal in the early 1970s. Popularity led to overproduction, a lot of pretty bad Merlot, and sentiments such as those expressed by Miles.
For a very interesting wine tasting, we recommend a Merlot-based Bordeaux, and a few good Merlots from California, Washington State, and perhaps Chile. To liven up the tasting, include some less expensive Merlots (the sort to which Miles was referring) from California and perhaps Italy or Southwestern France. Finally, depending on how many bottles you will open (or for another tasting), consider including some Cabernet Sauvignon and a blend of the two grapes from Bordeaux or California. What a terrific tasting! You could make a night of it and show the movie as well as do a little tasting without food and a little with food. Unlike Merlot, which stands well on its own without food, Cabernet Sauvignon, in our opinion, is best enjoyed with a little food. (By the way, how do we get on your invitation list?)
You can see that the possibilities for themes centering around varietal wines are practically endless. The same is true with those that revolve around wine regions.