Instead of the usual sponsor reception cash bar and hors d'oeuvres, Dan, co-director of the Simplicity research consortium brought in Nicole and John from the Boston store of Best Cellars to do a guided wine tasting. The line-up was Chimney Creek Sauvignon Blanc, Lurton Very Viognier, Ovalle Grand Selection Carmenere and Nederberg Cabernet Sauvignon. I think my favorite was the Viognier--not that I'm any expert. Fine cheeses, fruits crackers and chocolates were on hand to clear our palettes. Nice things about Best Cellars are that they specialize in accessible wines that cost cost no more than $15, and they have a store in D.C. What was special about the tasting was the presence of several MIT professors. Dan ranked everyone's wine favorites in a matrix on the whiteboard and there was lively discussion on the business models of wine selling. This is what I'll call a super smart wine tasting.

- mike lee - cambridge, ma