Can you get Around the World in 80 Sips?

On Friday Feb 8th in San Francisco, we participated in and enjoyed, 80 Sips from around the World at Around the World in 80 Sips. Ok we probably had a few more but who was counting.
The event was held at the Golden Gate Club in San Francisco, which is a Nice facility and well laid out for this type of event. 
The majority of the wines were mostly in the 5-7 range and  ****, all decent drinking wines with a few very good one's mixed in, some of which were only poured for the VIP crowd. We participated in the VIP plan mostly to get the extra time to taste the wines but some exclusive wines were a bonus. There was also another level of exclusivity with the Sherry Room. No sherry but some quite exclusive wines and sparkling. Rumor has it that they even had appetizers of substance. The regular event had carrots, radishes and some cheeses and breads. Thin pickings really. 

With VIP early entry passes we were in like Flynn and getting to taste some of those exclusive offerings from some vendors. The extra hour afforded by the VIP tickets was good to get through a number of choice offerings prior to the fashion expressive San Francisco masses pouring in, which did start to happen after 8. From 6:30 to 8 it was relatively easy going getting a taste. Regular admission started at 7:30 and by 8 it was quite busy.
We did enjoy the event and even used our super powers to save one vendor the embarrassment of pouring a corked bottle (come on people quality control. You open, you taste, you pour or you pour out).     

Given the size of the crowd it was still quite civilized and not to hard to get a taste. The relatively young and hip crowd seemed to enjoy the offerings and there were plenty to be enjoyed. The event was done at 9 and at 9 it was done full stop.

We will be looking forward to next years as we would "go back" if invited...

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala