Richmond Blind Wine Tasting

Few grapes are as versatile—or as misunderstood—as Riesling. Often associated with sweet wines, Riesling is actually one of the world's great wine grapes, capable of producing styles that range from bone dry and crisp to lusciously sweet, as well as sparkling wines and even rare dessert wines. Its naturally bright acidity gives Riesling remarkable freshness and balance, regardless of style.

Although Germany is Riesling's historic home, the grape thrives in cool-climate wine regions around the world. Today you'll find outstanding examples from Alsace in France, Austria, Australia (especially the Clare and Eden Valleys), New Zealand, Washington State, New York's Finger Lakes, Canada, and many other regions. Each reflects its unique climate and soils, offering flavors that may include citrus, green apple, peach, apricot, white flowers, honey, and sometimes the distinctive mineral character for which Riesling is famous.

Join us for an evening celebrating this remarkable grape as we taste Rieslings from around the world! If you want to take a deep dive into how these wines are labeled (e.g. "Trocken" means "dry), here is resource: https://www.wsetglobal.com/knowledge-centre/blog/2025/decoding-german-riesling-a-guide-to-quality-and-styles

Please bring:

1. A bottle of Riesling wine in the $25-35 range.
2. A plain, brown paper wine bag (the kind they give you at the shop when you buy your wine. If you have a few extras, please bring them too.)
3. Four wine glasses
4. Optional: a snack to share

There are only 12 spots available for this event, so sign up right away! If your plans change please be sure to change your RSVP so that someone on the wait list can attend.

I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to my home in Short Pump! The exact address will be posted in the comments a day or two before the event.

Cheers,
Mark

Few wine traditions can rival the history of Greece. Vines have been cultivated there for more than 4,000 years, and today a new generation of winemakers is introducing wine lovers to an incredible variety of native grapes found nowhere else in the world. From the volcanic soils of Santorini to the cool mountain vineyards of the mainland, Greek wines are known for their vibrant acidity, food-friendly character, and distinctive sense of place. Whether you're already a fan or completely new to Greek wine, this blind tasting is a wonderful opportunity to discover just how diverse—and delicious—these wines can be.

Please bring:
1. A bottle of Greek wine (red or white) in the $20–50 range to contribute to the blind tasting.
If your budget permits, please consider bringing an Assyrtiko from Santorini. These typically retail in the $40–50 range and are widely regarded as some of Greece's most celebrated and distinctive wines, thanks to the island's unique volcanic terroir.

Please skip Retsina when selecting your bottle. Retsina is a traditional Greek wine flavored with pine resin, a style that dates back thousands of years when resin was used to seal wine vessels. Its distinctive herbal, piney flavor tends to inspire strong opinions—people usually either love it or hate it! We'll have one bottle available to sample together at the end of the evening.

2. A plain brown paper wine bag (the kind the wine shop gives you when you purchase your bottle). If you have a few extras, please bring those too.

3. Four wine glasses

4. Optional: A snack to share.

There are only 12 spots available, so be sure to reserve yours soon! If your plans change, please update your RSVP as early as possible so someone on the wait list can join us.
We can't wait to welcome you to our home in Forest Hill for an evening of great wine, good conversation, and a few surprises.

The exact address will be posted in the event comments and emailed to attendees a day or two before the tasting.

Virginia's wine story stretches back more than 400 years, making it one of the oldest wine-producing regions in North America. From the early vineyard experiments encouraged at Jamestown to Thomas Jefferson's dream of producing world-class wines, Virginia has developed a thriving wine culture that now includes more than 300 wineries. Thanks to the state's varied climate and soils, Virginia excels with grapes such as Viognier (the official state grape), Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Petit Manseng, and the native Norton, producing wines that are as diverse as they are distinctive. Join us as we celebrate the rich history and remarkable flavors of Virginia wines!

Please bring:

1. A bottle of Virginia wine in the 25-35 price range.
2. A plain, brown paper wine bag (the kind they give you at the shop when you buy your wine. If you have a few extras, please bring them too.)
3. Four wine glasses
4. Optional: a snack to share

Considerations:
*On street parking is free and plentiful
I look forward to welcoming you to my home! The exact address will be posted in the comments a day or two before the event.
Cheers,
Mel

If there is one wine region that has uniquely captured the hearts of serious wine enthusiasts, it is arguably Bourgogne. Reds made primarily from the famously demanding Pinot Noir can be extraordinarily complex, elegant, sensual, and expressive of place, while its Chardonnays can be just as captivating—ranging from steely and mineral to rich, layered, and profoundly elegant.

Burgundy rewards attention. These are wines that can change noticeably in the glass, revealing new aromas, flavors, and textures as they open. A few unhurried minutes between sips can make the experience completely different.

For this tasting, we’ll depart from our usual blind format and take a guided tour through Burgundy, with wines selected to showcase the very best terroirs. Michael will choose and purchase the wines, and everyone attending will share the cost with us.

Together, we’ll explore where the wines come from, what makes each one distinctive, and just how differently Burgundy can express its two great grapes, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

And because Burgundy’s wines deserve Burgundian food, I’ll be making bœuf bourguignon for dinner. All you need to bring is four wine glasses.

This will be an intimate gathering, a seated tasting limited to just 8 people, with plenty of time to enjoy the wines, the food, and the conversation.

Come curious and ready for a little trip through Bourgogne—no passport required.

The cost for this tasting is $153 per person, and 100% of this will be used to purchase the wines and meal ingredients. To join us, RSVP to the waitlist and we’ll then contact you with Venmo instructions. Attendees will be added into the event in the order that payment is received.

Refund policy: We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel, we’ll gladly refund your payment if we’re able to fill your spot. Because we purchase the wines in advance, we’re not able to offer refunds otherwise. If we need to cancel the event, refunds will be issued promptly. If we need to postpone, you’ll have the option of receiving a refund if you cannot attend the new date.