[Sloper]

I know Mr A would be up for it but who else? 

One format could be a fixed donation, say £10 or 15 followed by a blind tasting of wines between £8 and £30 per bot with the winner gaining valuable bragging rights and the excuse why they can't climb for toffee the following day.  Obviously we'd need at least 10 participants so if you're keen let me know or if you've any counter suggestions eg a lash up at the Sheaf post them below.

[Houdini]

When?

I have a world of European wine (prices) at my fingertips, & could bring a case over in my luggage.  Hope to be in the UK in April (but that's not guaranteed).  I'll be bringing wine regardless.

€50 a bottle?  Obscene!  It's pish/tax.

And what do you mean by tasting?  I'm not entering a room of people who spit & not swallow!  Queers.

[Yossarian]

Why not get everyone to bring a bottle of something they think is interesting?

The bottle is then obscured in some way and the group can then discuss in depth.

I agree about the spitting. I try to avoid it...

[Percy B]

I know Graeme will back me up here, when I tell you that the common practise of spitting wine out is just not on. The 'tasting' process requires the wine to be kept inside the taster for as long as possible for a complete picture of the depth, complexity, finish, etc, etc. Experienced tasters can store a number of different vintages inside themselves at any one time. Spitting it out is an absolute no-no. And no chundering either (Mr Whitaker)!

[Houdini]

I'm liking this GrahamA charachter the more I hear.

[Yossarian]

I refer my learned friend back to my Bill Baker anecdote.

At every trade tasting I've been to I (and whoever I'm with) tend to be the only people not squirting juice into spittoons... And I always get fucking plastered, despite trying to avoid pouring any more than a thimbleful at a time.

[Houdini]

Do you cleanse your palate after each tasting w/ water?

[Sloper]

Why not get everyone to bring a bottle of something they think is interesting?

You mean you've still got some of that Albanian Rose?

There's nothing inherently wrong with the suggestion, the only problem with that is some people contribute a good deal more than others and there can be a subtle pressure to spend more than you would otherwise do so yours isn't the cheapest bottle there.  If we went down this route perhaps we could set limits of say £8 to £15?  Or for Houdini 30 euro for being a smug git when it comes to prices.

And as for cleaning one's palete, I always find a good pint of wife beater does the trick.

[Houdini]

 

Don't ever let it be said that I don't contribute.  I've dished out more pills, poppers, MDMA, acid, pot & pints on my wallet that I care or want to account for.    Like me, life's too short!


Seriously, if the chief has a special request that I know I can get significantly cheaper here, and the timing is right etc..  PM.  Nudge nudge

[Yossarian]

Water and Water biscuits tend to the usual...

That is a good point Slopes. I thought that I would just have a look in the cellar for something that needs drinking up. But maybe a kitty to be spent wisely would be a better plan.

Not Albanian rose, but I had a Georgian merlot a while back. It went quite well with salt and vinegar crisps, as I recall.