It's been almost six months since the smashing debut of the Bitch, Moan and Wine Society, the shadowy (i.e. not website-enabled) tasting group/purchasing club spearheaded by "Treehugger" Dan Swartz of the eponymous bookstore/café chain and "Bottlehugger" Ben Frieday of Discover Budapest fame. And today we're thrilled to announce that we have decided to join the bitching, moaning and drinking as the club's official media sponsor, having convinced the co-chairmen of the club to adopt one small but crucial "bylaw."

This Friday, February 20th, the club will be holding its first-ever "Big Blind" tasting, of a selection of premium wines made from Kékfrankos. The idea behind the new format is simple, yet potent. Instead of pouring out a mix of different wines from bottles in plain view, participants will be sampling a group of comparable wines "blind," so they can let their own taste buds decide which one or ones they like best. In addition to all the practical benefits of letting the wines - rather than the labels - do the talking, this new format opens the door to even more wine-related fun of the sort club members have become accustomed to. Everyone will get to vote on the wines they have an opinion on, and the taster who pushes their palate to the limit and does best in guessing which wine is which will get a special prize.

Among the bottles being cracked are ones by Tamás Günzer, Béla Vincze, Ferenc Takler, János Frittman, András Ludányi,
Tamás Dúzsi, the Pfneiszl Pincészet and Remete-Bor/Vesztergombi József. There will also be chocolate fondue. Woo-hoo!

The price is Ft 3,500 for members, and Ft 4,000 for non-members, half of which can be applied to any purchases of 12 bottles or more made the night of the tasting. Due to the high turnout at previous tastings and the limited spots available, anyone interested in joining will have to sign up and pay in advance.

UPDATE: No need to pay in advance, but if you want to make sure there's a glass for you, reserve your spot by writing to wine AT bitchmoanwine.com. And if it's already booked up, don't bitch and moan too much, because we're only getting started.