West London Wine School Grape Debate: Cabernet-Merlot Blends
Wednesday 4 February 2015
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Join us for a tasting like no other! The three tutors at West London Wine School are to be pitched against each other's wits in a mayoral-style debate defending the mighty Cabernet-Merlot blend but from three different countries. Jimmy Smith, founder of the school will be championing Bordeaux, whilst Quentin Sadler will be fervently defending California and Cherie Agnew, our resident Kiwi, will be of course lashing superlatives about New Zealand.
Read a review on a previous Grape Debate on Pinot Noir – click here
Your vote will count to see who will be most convincing about their Cabernet-Merlot blends.
THE SETTING:
Before the tasting you will be asked to provide your preference of Cabernet-Merlot from Bordeaux, California and New Zealand. 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 Cabernet-Merlot manifesto.
THE TASTING:
Then the tasting begins for three rounds:
Round 1: under £12.50Round 2: between £12.50-25Round 3: between £25-50
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 preference from Bordeaux, California or New Zealand and we'll display the new set of results on the election bar chart – the tutor with biggest swing of results will be lauded as the most revered on the Bordeaux blend!
This is a tasting that will be extremely fun, different and energetic but will also open your eyes up to the diversity of a specific blend across three different regions. There will be plenty of wine to go around, plenty of interaction, and a great way to wind down to the weekend!