Sure, drinking wine is fun, but have you ever blended your own?

You can make this happen by attending the Wine Blending Experience at the Ritz-Carlton right here in Charlotte.

Sound daunting? It’s not at all. Every Wednesday – Saturday, the Ritz team hosts a wine blending session right outside the Hidden Wine Room (located in the Ritz lobby.) The program is lead by Jeniffer, a certified sommelier who has A TON of wine of knowledge. She walks you through each step, teaching you about wine along the way.

Each station is staged with five wine glasses, two beakers, a pipette, and a sheet for note-taking. First, you’ll sample five grape varietals (one at a time, of course): Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Grenache. Jeniffer will tell you how to properly taste the wine, but the note-taking is completely subjective (taste? color? palate? finish?) – and taking good notes will help put things into perspective when blending.

Next, Jeniffer will walk you through creating four blends using the five grapes you sampled. Each blend will result in a few sips of wine so you can compare and choose your favorite.

And choose wisely because finally, you’ll bottle your own creation! Jeniffer will again give you the proper measurements to fill your empty bottle. I enjoyed blend #4 the most and happily named my wine “Eat Drink Drunk.” Get it?

I should also mention that small bites are served during your wine blending adventure. If you drink every sip poured, you’re definitely gonna need some snacks. I recommend lining up a designated driver or using Uber/Lyft to stay safe.

The Wine Blending Experience at the Ritz is a must-try for wine lovers or those just looking to do something unique in Uptown Charlotte. I’m very much looking forward to opening my creation at home sometime soon.

Where: 201 E. Trade Street, Charlotte
When: Wed. – Sat. with various sessions between 3 and 10 PM
Cost: $65 per person
Book: Visit the Hidden Wine Room or call 704-547-2244. Walk-ins are also allowed if space is available.
Perfect for: Girls’ night out, date night, or private group experiences

This post was created after a complimentary Wine Blending Experience. All opinions are my own.