Friday, January 24, 2014

Jr. League Wine Tasting Party

This year marks 10-years that I've been a member of the Junior League of Charlotte.
No doubt, joining is one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Yes, it's a time commitment but I'm able to contribute to our community all while making lasting friendships.
 
We have monthly meetings but in the last few years they've converted a few of the meetings to in-home, small group meetings.
These are my favorite!!
 
Last night I attended a small group meeting at a member's home and it's by far the best I've ever been to.
After the business portion of the meeting, Mary Sherrill did a wine tasting that was also a competition!
She asked everyone to bring 2 bottles of wine under $10.
One that you would put in for tasting and to compete with and the other bottle would go into the prize pool.

Of course she had nibbles for all of us ladies.
What would a party be without cupcakes?
Wine tasting means there HAS to be cheese!
Back to the wine tasting.
So, how it works.
Everyone picks which bottle that they brought that they want entered into the competition.
Mary Sherrill kept track of who brought what and put all the wines in paper bags with numbers on them.
She knew that my bottle was, you say, #1.
The paper bag part is brilliant because then people can't be swayed by fancy labels or brands.
Smart.Smart.Smart.

Then we split into two groups.
Depending on what wine you chose to compete with you were either in the red wine room or white wine room.
It seemed most of the ladies brought and chose to taste reds.
Literally,
There were only 3 or 4 people in the white room.
(which also means there wasn't as much competition - sorta wish i would have been in that room)

The red group was so big that we actually split up into 2 groups in there.
Half of us tasted about 8-wines and the other half tasted the other 8-wines.
We had a sheet and rated them 1 to 10.
In the end the person who brought the favorite wines of the 3 groups(2 red groups and 1 white group), got to take home wine in the prize pool!
 
Giving there was 25 people there that means there were 25-bottles of wine split between 3 women to take home!!!
Gosh, I wish I would have won!
Such a fun idea for a party.
She said she has been to several parties like this with friends and that's where she got the idea.
Of course, this was my first rodeo but I am a huge fan and can't wait to get a group of ladies to do this with!


But, of course the highlight of the night was seeing this sign proudly displayed in her home.
Mary Sherril's husband is from the town of Shelby.
BTW - the winning wines were as follow:
White - Vinho Rose
Red - Smoking Loon Pinot Noir
Red - Cantina Del Grifone 1967 Toscana 2009

12 comments:

Tricia said...

Are you kidding me? That is so fun, and I'm now in love with this idea and stealing it. Seriously, this is fabulous. I've never heard of such a thing, and I agree about the paper bags. Especially since I usually buy wines for the fun label or fancy name. This is too cute. Thanks for the idea. Looks like you all had a great time. :)

MCW said...

That is such a cool idea!!! I will have to do it...and win. Ha

Mariel C. said...

This is SUCH a fabulous idea! We do this in a much smaller scale for our Champagne tasting on Thanksgiving. This is majorly stepping it up a notch!

Also, I work with Vanessa! I will have to talk to her about knowing you :)

Sara said...

What a fun idea! I may have to use this in the future!!

Did you go with Liberty School Cab? That used to be one of my favorites back when I was a cabernet girl. I've gotten super picky now and pretty much stick to Pinot Noir. :)

Annie said...

This sounds like a blast!!!

Allena said...

What a fun idea! If everyone brought red to a party I was at though I'd be in trouble - I like it white and SWEET! HA!

Rachel said...

This is so fun! We should do this with CLT bloggers one night. I love it! Also....I love that Smoking Loon that won!

Kate @ Daffodils said...

What a fun idea! I might steal this for a future party.

donna said...

Definitely doing this. I'll have to plan a spring get together.

Sara said...

This sounds like my kind of party! Next GTG???

starnes family said...

Cute idea for a wine tasting. Love this!

Ashley said...

I saw your post on fb and couldn't wait to find out what you brought and what won! I'm going to get these wines and then play the game haha