When you are making the decision to higher a wine educator for your event or attempting to host your own event you need to think about a few details.
- Is your goal education or drinking great wine? The average wine educator in the Minneapolis market is going to pour you mediocre wine and charge you a ton to do the education. When it costs $80 per person about $20 of that is going into the wine for most educators.
- Is it bring a bottle or would you rather host the event? This is a big one. Every group I have ever been in will have some really generous members however every group has the cheapskate coming in at a discount. Most of your friends will do the last minute purchase at Total Wine and under perform at the event. Hosting your event with the right help is always the way to go but remember the right help.
- Are you looking for a mix of newer and older vintages? The event below offers some vintages with some age which is far more educational than a bunch of pop and pour newer vintages.
I have provided you an amazing lineup of South American wines that would provide an enjoyable night for you and 11 of your closest friends. See below for pricing and details on how you can host this type of event.
Malbec & Malbec Blends
2005 Cuvelier Los Andes Grand Vin (Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco)
Cellar Tracker: 90.3
Parker: 94 (This wine is a good starter wine as it has some age but is not in the pedigree of the later Malbec Wines which are Icons from Argentina)
2007 Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino (Argentina, Mendoza)
Cellar Tracker: 93.7
Parker: 97, Wine Spectator 94 (This wine is showing much better than the 2008 version and hence why I would feature it)
2010 Achával-Ferrer Malbec Finca Mirador (Argentina, Mendoza)
Cellar Tracker: 92.1
Parker: 95 (Benchmark producer of Malbec with some age on it)
Bordeaux Wines
2005 Viña Cobos Cabernet Sauvignon Bramare (Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo)
Cellar Tracker: 91.5
Parker: 92 (Inexpensive Cabernet $40, do these age?)
Bordeaux Style Blends (Side by Side Tasting of 2 Vintages)
2001 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor (Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto)
Cellar Tracker: 91.6
WS: 95, Parker 93 (Number 4 on the Wine Spectator Top 100 in 2005)
2012 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor (Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto)
Cellar Tracker: 93.1
Suckling: 98, Wine Spectator 95
2006 Bodega Catena Zapata Nicolás Catena Zapata (Argentina, Mendoza)
Cellar Tracker: 92.5
Wine Spectator 93, Parker 97 (This is the most famous Bordeaux Blend in Argentina)
2010 Bodega Catena Zapata Nicolás Catena Zapata (Argentina, Mendoza)
Cellar Tracker: 92.3
Parker: 95 (Comparing vintages of this Icon)
2011 Terrazas de Los Andes Cheval des Andes (Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, Vistalba)
Cellar Tracker: 92.4
Parker 94, Wine Spectator 93 (Usually the 94 Parker wines are better than the 98 as they tend to be more balanced and less over the top).
Pricing
Yes I don’t work for free so no I will not be providing all the easy to access videos, maps and where to buy these wines. Here is how to host this event and save a ton over hiring a local wine educator although I would love to offer this event to you.
Wine: $750 (Easy delivery)
Glassware Rental: See my site.
Maps, Videos & Tasting Notes: $50 fee.
Food: I think your guests can prepare dishes since you are providing everything else.
Total Cost if you Host: $1,000 (Add me for $200. Love to taste these wines).
Cost if a wine educator was doing this (not me): $1,800 to $2,000.
Local Wine Educators don’t pour this caliber of wine hence the crazy price tag.