Comparative Wine Dinner
Old World vs New World, poured side by side and put to a vote. A structured tasting dinner built on head-to-head matchups — same grape, two philosophies, the table decides which world it lives in.
What it's for
Put the Old World / New World debate to a live vote so the table stops theorizing and starts tasting.
The guest's job
Bring two bagged bottles of the same grape — one European, one not — and keep them blind until the host calls the reveal.
The vote
Best wine blind, best value, biggest surprise, and the one you’d actually buy tomorrow.
The reveal
Unbag in pairs — Old World first, then New World — so the gap between preference and expectation lands at full force.
Food & drink spine
Charcuterie and mild cheese to open; roast chicken or a clean protein for the main — nothing that competes with the flight.
Conversation fuel
"Does terroir actually taste like anything, or is it a story we’ve agreed to believe?"
How it flops — steer around it
Unbagged bottles at the table. If anyone sees a label, the whole premise dissolves.
A structured tasting dinner built on head-to-head matchups. Each course pairs an Old World wine against a New World counterpart so the table can taste the difference and argue about it.
Why it works
A clear structure plus a vote gives everyone a role and a reason to have an opinion. Disagreement is the point.
Food
Charcuterie and cheeses; roast chicken; mushroom risotto; beef tenderloin or short ribs; blue cheese and pear tart with ice wine.
Drink
Cremant d'Alsace vs Champagne-style sparkling; Sancerre vs Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc; German Riesling Spatlese; Burgundy Pinot Noir vs Oregon Pinot Noir; Barolo finale; ice wine dessert course.
Voting
Best wine, best value, biggest surprise, the wine they would buy tomorrow.
Conversation prompts
Does terroir actually taste like anything, or is it a story we tell? Which bottle would you serve a skeptic?