An exciting new trend in global dining are blindfolded tastings, which offer a unique dining and drinking experience.
Whether food-focused or wine-centric, these sensory moments allow participants a new way to enjoy tasting menu items and sipping wine selections.
The following are just a few examples of transporting experiences available around the globe.
Napa Valley Wine Academy’s Blind Tasting Class
Every Monday, the Napa Valley Wine Academy leads a one-hour blind tasting workshop.
Participants learn about wine structure, grape varieties, and the influence of climate and weather conditions and the wine style.
Led by a Master of Wine candidate, three wines are compared and contrasted during the experience.
Gili Lankanfushi’s Dining for the Senses
Diners are blindfolded and transported to a secret location on the island for a sensory supper.
With feet in the sand and cutlery in hand, guests are invited to take a leap of faith as their private chef serves up a surprise four-course dinner menu.
With the blindfolds on, diners will experience the heightening of all other senses – from the aromas of the food to the sounds of the waves and are invited to guess the dishes as they taste each flavor.
The server also engages with diners with different activities to test the senses – such as guessing flowers based on scent or identifying fruits based on touch.
The Beaumont Hotel, London – Blind-Folded Wine Tasting
Blind-folded wine tasting at The Beaumont Hotel in London’s Colony Grill Room.
Sommeliers Giorgio Scavarelli and Antonio Verrando take guests on a fun-filled exploratory wine journey, with the aim of introducing them to new and perhaps unfamiliar grape types and wine styles.
For €50 per person, the sommeliers pour four wines that correspond to the selection of dishes ordered.
Guess the wines served (name and vintage), the wine flight is free! Insider’s tip: Scavarelli is a native of Piedmont, so you might want to level up on your Nebbiolos and Barberas before the experience.