About

The Rules

• A deathmatch dinner party minimally of a cocktail and three courses to pair with wines.

• The total for the three wines the Sommelier chooses must not cost more than $75.

• The Sommeliers will each get the same menu information, including a list of primary ingredients. 

• No personal preferences should be considered in the pairings.

This love of food, wine, and good company led us to some fantastic dinners at great restaurants that lasted hours. We would be having such a good time we closed restaurants and had people sweeping around us.  We've had managers come to the table and hint subtly (and not so subtly) that they need our table.  Our favorite experience was when a parking attendant came into the restaurant to tell us he needed to get home to his family ("Who eats dinner for 4 hours?!" he said). 

We don't remember who said it first, but somewhere along the line, we decided we could make delicious meals at home and not worry about a time limit.  This led to fun nights of cooking for each other, and over the years, we have surprised ourselves at the levels to which we have taken our skills. 

Then came the wine pairings. It started by asking for advice on wines from our favorite stores and ended up in a competition to determine which was the best pairing. Each couple brought suggested wines, and one night, in an attempt to finalize which wine went best, Dennis blurted out, "The waitress is coming, and you can only choose one. Ready set, go!" 

Each person held up the wine they liked best.  

That was the beginning of the Sommelier Death Matches.