2000 Guigal Cotes de Rhone, France ($15)

This was drawn at a party where I was hired to be the sommelier for the evening. After tasting the guests through a number of bottles from the host’s collection, I split everyone into two groups. I then bagged two different wines (which had already been opened and tasted by many of the guests). The members of each group filled their glasses with their respective group’s unknown wine and then drew a picture to represent their impression of it so that the other team could guess the wine. Everyone had a blast! And, what’s more, Group A guessed that the above picture (drawn by Group B) represented a syrah. Then, they promptly specified the Guigal Cotes de Rhone! Following this, Group A displayed their picture and David (of group B) guessed immediately and without hesitation that Group A’s wine was the 2001 Querciabella Chianti Classico. And, he got it right! It was a ton of fun and a huge success. (If anyone was there and would like a copy of this picture, just e-mail me!) Thanks to everyone!

- BAS