When I started this newsletter, it was important to me that there would be some sort of social aspect to it. Rather than me speaking into a void, I wanted to create a place that would bring people together and also highlight the thoughts and ideas of my greatest influences (my pals!).
So, this week, I threw a party! It was disguised as a wine tasting but was really just an opportunity to get people together and have a drink.
The top 10 wines favored by my party guests ranked from most to least:
Bojo Do Luar Luiza Rose Pet Nat — the first bottle we opened and our chart-topper
Ferraro Maurizio #Secondome Bianco — maybe my favorite of the whole night, it was effervescent and acidic, but not overwhelming
De sol a sol Airen Esencia Rural — this one smelled like Sharpies and burned as it went down, which is something I actually really love
Sfera Rosato — if you’re looking for a non-fizzy, light, chilled red, this one is for you. Plus it comes in a liter so it gets extra party points
Bojo Do Luar Deu Bode — I’ve been off red wines since the weather started warming up, but this was a winner for me
Meinklang Mulatschak Osterreich Weisser Orange Wine — a classic you can likely find in any natural wine section
How it worked: I told my guests I’d have some wines picked out for us to enjoy, and I encouraged them to bring a bottle with them too. As they arrived, we labeled each bottle with a number that corresponded to a line on a scorecard pinned to the wall. While they drank, if there was a wine they particularly enjoyed, they could take a sticker and place it next to the wine’s number.
Some considerations: A handful of guests brought their favorite wines, while others chose based on label (a valid decision-making method in this house). Some arrived knowing exactly what they look for in advance while others were led by blind abandon. The wines I selected were decided based on variety (we had a white, rose, skin-contact, and red), all chilled to account for the weather, and had cute labels because if you didn’t already know, vibes are important.
What made our final list you see above were the wines that moved our guests to vote the most. However, there were some stunning NA options that did not rank, one bottle that was voted on but never actually opened, and plenty of others that we either didn’t get to or as the night went on we forgot to add to the scoresheet. In truth, if I’m going to make my friends participate in organized fun, the best I can hope for is that at a certain point in the evening, we abandon organization, and lean fully into fun.
My qualifications: I have none! Aside from spending the last several years weaving in and out of the alcohol industry for work. I threw several blind beer tastings for the food & bev editor the summer I interned at Paste Magazine. Spent a year working at Atlanta’s first post-prohibition distillery hosting tours and samplings every hour on the hour, conducting photoshoots, managing socials, and occasionally slinging drinks. And, most recently, I had a small stint as the social media manager for Truly Seltzer.
When it comes to wine, I have only a fondness, appreciation, and a desire to know more.
Drop where you fall within the vibe matrix in the comments!
I'm a vibe stabilizer sun / vibe curator moon
This is so cute! I love it