The Future of Wine Tastings

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What do you miss most about pre-pandemic life? For me, definitely traveling to the wine regions and talking to the winemakers! It's been a year since I last stepped into a vineyard...luckily, I found another way to “travel” without having to buy a plane ticket - just because we may not be able to go right now doesn't mean they can't come to us! 

In my last blog, I talked about 5 wine trends to watch out for in 2021 where I mentioned virtual platforms and streaming live experiences are going to thrive. VIVANT is one of these virtual wine experience platforms, and quite honestly, my favorite one so far. It takes you around the world to taste sustainably produced wines, to learn with expert wine advisors in real-time, and to enjoy the gorgeous wine regions.

So, what is VIVANT? Behind the name — French for “living, alive.” VIVANT is a virtual wine experience platform that blends engaging interaction, personalized education, and lively entertainment. It is the first interactive online platform to connect winemakers, consumers, and expert wine advisors in streaming live experiences. Here you will meet the most interesting people in wine, discover sustainably made wines from different regions, and learn to taste like a pro with their interactive tasting method. Unlike the “traditional” virtual tastings, VIVANT is taking it to a whole new level by making it more fun and personal, redefining how consumers learn about wine, and supporting a more sustainable future for the industry.

I joined the “White Wines of Bordeaux” and tasted six wines with the wine advisor. The session brought a new generation of winemakers looking to make their mark championing these lesser known-gems, from lively dry whites to mouthwatering sweet wines. First of all, can we talk about this tasting kit? So elegant and beautiful! Quite frankly, I was skeptical at first as I have had some bad experiences with tubes before, the wine just didn’t taste good, not sure if something went wrong when they were packaging or they got damaged during transport. But these wines taste as good as they look! Six 100ml tubes designed for two people - they could also make a perfect date night at home! 

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During the session, we learned the white grape varieties, the winemaking, the main appellations, as well as harvest time & techniques, from both the wine advisor and the winemakers themselves. For me, nothing compares to experiencing wine through the eyes of passionate winemakers and educators. The Interactive Tasting Method guided by the advisor really allows us to assess the wines, i.e. select the aromas we smell from the wines, then compare the results, the wine advisors are also available to answer any questions - really makes it fun and easy to learn! The whole experience was personalized and engaging, in a way that is unlike any other virtual tasting I’ve ever tried. Here’s a quick look at the wines we tasted:

  • Château Ferran Entre-Deux-Mers Tradition 2019

  • Château Peybonhomme-les-Tours Le Blanc Bonhomme 2018

  • Château Haut-Bergey Blanc 2016

  • Château Guiraud 2015

  • Château Guiraud G 2019

  • Château Guiraud Petit Guiraud 2017

 Depending on your level of knowledge and interests, they offer wine experiences from fun family gatherings and date nights to deep, serious sessions for wine geeks. There is truly something for everyone!

 This article was created in partnership with VIVANT.