STERLING MINOR PROVIDES
WINE TASTINGS
At each tasting I will be providing written and oral material about several of
these:
(1) the region, (2) grapes used, (3) producers, (4) the wines, (5) how to taste,
and/or (6) foods.
TWA stands for The Wine Advocate, a
publication of Robert Parker. Scores are as with school grades: 70 is failing,
but there can be scores below that.
The wines are my selections based on your theme
or similar request, and budget. The wines are obtained through the
purchase of the Host or another person; this is done by providing credit card
information to me, and my placing the order to the retailer for you. The
following examples are from Winter 2008-2009.
Example One.
A request is made for a tasting at a private home for 10 guests, at a cost of
$350.00 ($35/person).
| Wine | Food | Service |
| The theme is unoaked Chardonnay wines from
around the world. One bottle each of five wines: 2007 Gunn Estate (NZ) (TWA 90) 2005 Castillo de Monjardin (Spain) (TWA 89) 2006 The Wishing Tree (Australia) (TWA 88) 2004 Pommier Chablis (France) (TWA 89-91) 2005 Mer Soleil Silver (California) (TWA 90) Wine and Shipping Cost $160.00 |
I will provide suggestions for food items. Food may be provided by the hosts, or a good way in many groups is to have everyone bring pot luck. | For each person: paper plate; plastic fork and knife; paper napkins; six plastic wine glasses. What I brought is left at the home. |
Example Two.
A request is made for a tasting at a private home for 15 guests, at a cost of
$525.00 ($35/person).
| Wine | Food | Service |
| The theme is red wines of Australia and New
Zealand. Two bottles each of four wines: 2005 De Lisio Grenache, McLaren Vale (TWA 92) 2002 Possum Vineyard Shiraz, McLaren Vale (TWA 92-94) 2004 Massena GSM The Midnight Run, Barossa Valley (TWA 93) 2005 Gravitas Pinot Noir, Marlborough (TWA 88) Wine and Shipping Cost $275.00 |
I will provide suggestions for food items. Food may be provided by the hosts, or a good way in many groups is to have everyone bring pot luck. | For each person: China plate; fork; cloth napkin; water glass; four wine glasses. What I brought, I pack and take away. |
Example Three.
A request is made that I host a tasting at a my home, around my dining room
table, for 8 guests, at a cost of
$480.00 ($60/person).
| Wine | Food | Service |
| The theme is red wines of Northern Spain. One bottle each of six wines: 2006 Arrocal Arrocal, Tempranillo (TWA 89) 2005 Acustic Monstant, Grenache (TWA 92) 2004 Mendoza Seleccion Personal, Tempranillo (TWA 92) 2004 Muga Especial, Tempranillo (TWA 94) 2005 A. Palacios Les Terrasses, Carignan (TWA 95) 2004 Mas Romani La Bassetta, Grenache (TWA 96) Wine and Shipping Cost $250.00 |
Each person receives a plate with pieces of bread; strawberries; seedless grapes; cubes of melon; two small brownie chunks; 8 cubes of cheese. Extra bread and cheese. | For each person: China plate; fork; cloth napkin; water glass; six wine glasses. |