At Sauvage, wine needs no label

At this Geneva bar, which has become one of the neighborhood’s liveliest spots, a unique event now invites patrons to rediscover the pleasure of blind tasting. Three nights a week—Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays—a bottle appears on the menu, completely concealed beneath a black sock. It’s impossible to see the label, the cap, or even the cork. Only the shape of the bottle might occasionally offer a clue to the most observant patrons.

Called “Vin Mystère,” the concept is based on a simple idea: tasting without preconceptions. The selected wine changes regularly and can be white, rosé, orange, red, or sparkling. The goal is to encourage customers to step outside their comfort zone and discover wines they might never have ordered on their own. Once the glass is poured, it’s time for the challenge. Grape variety, region, appellation: everyone is invited to put their knowledge—and, above all, their senses—to the test. The most talented tasters don’t leave empty-handed. Anyone who correctly identifies the wine wins a bottle to share at the table.

Beyond the fun aspect, the experience encourages interaction between customers and the team at Sauvage, while putting the focus back on discovery. It’s a concept that already seems to be catching on, as the restaurant recently celebrated its first winning table. Now it’s your turn…