Grape Debate: Grenache-based blends – West London Wine School
Tuesday 8 September 2015
,
Join us for a tasting like no other! Three tutors at West London Wine School are to be pitched against each other's wits in a mayoral-style debate defending the Mediterranaen super-star, Grenache (and Grenache-led blends), but from three different countries. Jimmy Smith, founder of the school will be championing France (such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape), whilst WSET tutor Quentin Sadler will be fervently defending classic Spain (Rioja and Navarra) and wine school tutor Shane Jones will be of course lashing superlatives about the New World (Barossa).
Your vote will count to see who will be crowned the King of Grenache (and Grenache based blends)
To read a review on our first Grape Debate on Pinot Noir please click here.
To read a review on our previous Grape Debate on Riesling please click here.
THE SETTING:
Before the tasting you will be asked to provide your preference of Grenache from Spain, France and the New World. These results will be collated and displayed in a classic election bar chart on the projector. You'll gather around, and at the front of the room stand three lecterns propping up the three tutors. The compere will introduce the evening and each tutor will launch into a short Introduction outlining their Grenache manifestos. The wines must be a majority of Grenache in the blend (51%+)
THE TASTING:
Then the tasting begins for three rounds:
Round 1: Grenache-based wine under £15Round 2: Grenache-based wine between £15-30Round 3: Grenache-based wine between £30-50
With each round each tutor will present their wine, tasting it with everyone and explain why it is the greatest and exciting in that category. At the end of each round the floor will be open for questions from the floor (that's you guys!). Expect difficult questions, nervy answers, robust remarks and aggressive quips as each tutor attempts to out-wit the other.
THE FINALE:
There will be a chance of a game-clinching closing statement from each tutor. Then you will be asked to write down your new preferences again from Spain, France and the New World and we'll display the new set of results on the election bar chart – the tutor with biggest swing of results will be crowned the King of Grenache.
This is a tasting that will be extremely fun, different and energetic but will also open your eyes up to the diversity of one specific grape variety across three different nations. There will be plenty of wine to go around, plenty of interaction, and a great way to kick off your weekend (you can skip out Friday)
This is the seventh in our Grape Debate series.