If you've been following Barberry Garden, you might have noticed a new addition this year. Alongside our usual event coverage, we've expanded to include 'external' events – those I attend as a participant rather than an organiser. In 2022, my focus was primarily on our own events and intimate gatherings with friends. However, 2023 marked a shift as I began documenting a wider range of experiences, capturing data from many external events I attended.

Thus, I present to you a complementary yearly report, dedicated to these external events. This is in fulfilment of my earlier promise. Dive in and enjoy the additional insights from a year well-celebrated in the wider wine world!

P.S. If you haven't already, be sure to review the report on our 'internal' events. Consider this article a sequel, extending the narrative with a focus on external events. It provides a fuller picture of our year in wine.

Events

Interestingly, the number of external events covered this year matches the number of events I organised: 31. This doesn't represent all the events I attended, as there were times I chose to leave the laptop behind and fully immerse myself in the experience.

• Home Party Vol. 2
• Home Party Vol. 3
• Chenin Blanc Party by Vova Ulianov
• Bourgogne Party by Vova Ulianov
• Champagne Party by Vova Vol. 1
• Jura Party by Vova Ulianov
• Clos du Tue-Boeuf Party by Mykola Chobanu
• Home Party Vol. 4
• Qvevri not Qvevri by Ivan Omelchenko
• Champagne Party by Elena and Roma Vol. 1
• Rural Bubbles Party by Vova and Mykola
• They came from Friuli by Alessio
• Gamay Battle by Vova and Mykola
• Champagne Party by Elena and Roma Vol. 2
• Mythopia vs World
• Bourgogne Party Vol. 1 by Vova and Mykola
• Sicily by Vova and Mykola
• Champagne Party by Elena and Roma Vol. 3
• Notorious Friuli by Vova and Mykola
• Mtsvane Estate @Lo
• Bourgogne Party Vol. 2 by Vova and Mykola
• Vinul Moldovei by Dimitry Grachov Vol. 1
• Champagne Party by Anna Vol. 1
• Sangiovese by Vasyl Velykanskiy
• Champagne Party by Anna Vol. 2
• Stella di Campalto by Maksym Demchenko
• Burgundian Grand Cru Grandeur
• Home Party Vol. 5
• Small Growers: 45 years past the revolution
• Red Spain by Vasyl Velykanskiy
• Bordeaux: 5+1

Examining the distribution of events across the months sheds light on some of the quieter periods for Barberry Garden-hosted events. It turns out, summer was a bustling season for attending external events, which accounts for the lull in our own. November, on the other hand, seems to have been quite demanding on my kidneys, with a packed schedule of wine-tasting!

Participants

While my approach to external events was a bit more relaxed, I primarily recorded data from those who shared their scores with me. Even though I wasn't as meticulous, the records show 64 unique participants and a total of 293 participations over the year. While not exhaustive, this data provides a glimpse into the extent of engagement at these events.

Now, let's move forward and explore some more intriguing metrics.

Most active participants

Vova Ulianov's status as the most active participant is hardly surprising, given my frequent attendance at events he organised. While he wasn't the lead at these gatherings, often deferring to Mykola Chobanu or Roman Remeev, it partly explains their notable presence too. It's heartening to observe the crossover of many top participants who also engage with Barberry Garden events, reflecting a vibrant community of wine enthusiasts.

Retention

Before we delve into the cumulative retention chart of our events, let me clarify why I consider this metric a critical gauge of community health. Each bar on this chart represents the number of individuals attending up to that many events, with subsequent bars either maintaining or decreasing in height. The pattern of this decline (or stability) is telling.

1. Slow Decline: This could indicate a natural attrition rate. Members may naturally move on over time due to evolving interests or commitments. A gentle slope is expected, but a sharp decline may signal underlying issues worth exploring.
2. Steep Initial Drop, Then Flat: A marked decrease initially, followed by a flat chart, suggests many try the community once but don't return. It could mean an unhealthy community that fails to create its core.
3. Flat Line with Little Variance: If the chart is relatively flat across all bars, it suggests there is a core group of attendees who consistently participate in most events. This is generally positive as it indicates a loyal base. However, if the group is very small, it might also indicate an unhealthy situation, as the lack of fresh blood can stagnate the community.
4. Sporadic Drops or Increases: Variability in attendance can be attributed to the specific appeal of certain events or external factors affecting participation. This requires a deeper look into individual events and external context to understand fully.

It's crucial to recognize that the real interpretation of retention charts necessitates an understanding of the community's specific goals and values. For instance, while some communities may find a steep initial drop concerning, others might see it as an acceptable pattern, particularly if continually attracting new participants aligns with their objectives. This context is key in making sense of any retention data. Bearing this in mind, let's proceed to look at the cumulative retention graph for all events I've data for.

Given that the external events I've recorded largely occur within somewhat overlapping yet distinct communities, it's unsurprising to observe a decent level of retention. However, considering these communities vary and are not entirely the same, analyzing retention specific to individual hosts might yield more nuanced insights. This approach would allow us to understand the unique dynamics and attendee loyalty within each specific group.

Retention on events organised by Vova Ulianov

In 2023, Vova Ulianov launched a private channel named 'Люди люблять вино,' cultivating a small yet dedicated wine tasting community that grew to 27 members. For an intimate setting like wine tastings, typically hosting 10-12 people per event, having 20-30 active members in the channel is ideal. It strikes the right balance between ensuring full attendance and allowing for some participant rotation. Vova's decision to maintain this exclusivity by removing inactive members further solidified the channel's purpose and goals, contributing to its high participation rate and retention.

However, it's worth noting that this community has since become inactive. Vova, along with his friends, has embarked on a new project, which I have yet to experience.

Retention on events organised by Andrii Sierkov

This community has its own unique charm. Andrii, a sparkling wine enthusiast, enjoys hosting casual gatherings in his apartment. It's an informal affair where each attendee typically brings a bottle for a blind tasting. Given the community's very intimate size, it's hardly surprising that retention is notably high.

Retention on events organised by Anna Zinchuk

Anna, alongside her friends, has ventured into organising private events, each extending invitations to their respective circles. This approach has resulted in an intriguing retention pattern within this emerging community. The graph reflects a core group of attendees who consistently participate, bolstered by a steady influx of new faces, maintaining a dynamic and engaging atmosphere.

However, it's important to recognize that with only five events to date, the data is somewhat limited. While the initial patterns are promising, they provide just a glimpse into the community's dynamics, and more time and events are needed to draw definitive conclusions.

Retention on events organised by Roman Remeev

My involvement with events organised by Roma is limited to just three occasions, making any attempt at drawing conclusions from the retention chart quite preliminary. Initially, I anticipated a retention pattern similar to Andrii's gatherings, with a consistent group of attendees. However, the data surprisingly suggests a "Steep Initial Drop, Then Flat" scenario. Nonetheless, it's critical to acknowledge that with only three events accounted for, the dataset is too small to form a comprehensive understanding or confirm trends.

Ratings

I feel it's important to reiterate: ratings are subjective and come with limitations. They should be taken with a grain of salt and not viewed as absolute indicators of quality. Remember, just because event A is rated lower than event B doesn't imply it's inferior. Ratings don't capture the full spectrum of our experiences and emotions. Additionally, many events are curated with various themes and purposes in mind, not solely to showcase the 'best' wines.

Despite the caveats with ratings, I've still got plenty of data to share! So, let's dive into some graphs and see what stories they can tell about our year in wine.

Events

Before we unveil the top events, allow me to present another graph I've meticulously prepared, illustrating each event and its respective average score.

I must say, the data is quite captivating! It sparks numerous questions and avenues for exploration. However, before we delve into these more profound inquiries, let's first break down the data by some hosts to gain a more detailed understanding.

Events organised by Vova Ulianov

Observing the host-specific data is revealing; unlike the broader trend seen in the general graph, the linear regression here shows a slight downward trajectory. Focusing on the events organised by Vova, I'd like to highlight a couple of points regarding the average scores. Firstly, the inaugural event was exceptional, effectively sparking the Люди люблять вино community. Despite its impact, the average score didn't surpass a 4.0. Secondly, it's important to remember that not all events aim for the highest ratings — 'Rural Bubbles' serves as a prime example, focusing more on the experience (of a single bottle) rather than the score.

Events organised by Anna Zinchuk

This is the second and final host with a particularly interesting event score graph. Across five events, we've observed a general upward trend in average scores, with a slight dip during the second event likely due to a few less stellar bottles. But let's take a moment to appreciate the figures here: the lowest average score is a 4.299! These numbers are impressive, almost unbelievably high, reflecting a consistently high quality of wine selection and experience.

Top events

I can sense the anticipation building to reveal the top 12 external events of the year! After examining Anna's events, you might expect them to dominate the leading spots. But prepare to be astonished! Stella di Campalto, quite deservedly in my view, claims the top position! Interestingly, the score might have even been higher if not for the inclusion of a welcome drink that, while educationally valuable, didn't quite match the others in ratings. The excitement is palpable as we look over this thrilling lineup of top-tier events!

Value of events

But let's shift our focus to the Quality Price Ratio (QPR) of these events. It's one thing to elevate ratings by featuring significantly pricier wines, but it's another to discern the value they bring. How much does price contribute to the perceived quality? This is where the QPR comes into play, offering insights into the balance between cost and enjoyment. However, there's a caveat: for events organised by Anna, I don't have the pricing details for most of the wines, so they're absent from the upcoming QPR graph. Bear this in mind as we delve into the numbers.

This QPR graph only reinforces my feeling that the formula needs refinement. In my opinion, Stella di Campalto is worth every hryvnia spent. So, I've resolved to dedicate the long, challenging winter to perfecting this formula amidst the shellings. I'll share the results with you once complete. I must admit, the current graph is disappointing. While I could rush in a new formula untested, I'd rather ensure its accuracy and relevance. Please bear with me as I work through these improvements.

It's also worth mentioning that despite my concerns with the current QPR graph, there are some events that I believe are accurately placed according to their value. This observation further underscores the need for a nuanced and reliable formula to consistently reflect the true quality-price relationship of events.

Wines

While I've opted to keep some of the more detailed analyses from the events graph private, let's move forward to the wine ratings. Throughout the 31 events, we've savoured 242 wines, 232 of which were unique. To streamline our rankings and prevent repetition, only the highest average rating has been considered for the few wines that featured more than once. This approach ensures that our list showcases the most exceptional wines from our year of tastings. Now, with anticipation, let's explore the top 40 wines that made a mark!

Top 40 wines

Let's dive in with a thrilling revelation! Almost all the wines by Stella di Campalto that we tasted this year have secured spots in the top-10! What an astounding achievement!

Now, prepare to behold the top-40 wines. To give you a clearer visual understanding, I've created two versions of the list: one colour-coded by event and another by host. This dual perspective should provide a fascinating insight into our year's finest selections.

1. Coloured by event

   I'm pleased to see that wines from 10 different events have made it onto this top-40 list, reflecting a wide variety of exceptional tastings throughout the year. It's interesting to note, however, that some events have a particularly strong presence, occupying a significant portion of the list. This diversity and dominance offer a glimpse into the standout moments and collections that have defined our year.

2. Coloured by host

   Reflecting on this list, it's evident that Anna's events have set a high bar, almost monopolizing the top spots – a testament to the quality she and her friends bring. This dominance certainly sheds light on my earlier references to miracles and generosity associated with Anna's contributions, as mentioned in my previous article. She is a wine fairy, after all.

3. Regional spread

   Now, turning our attention to the regional distribution: in Barberry Garden, the top 40 wines came from 6 countries, with Sicily and Champagne notably prominent. But in this external events list, the landscape is quite different. Stella di Campalto stands alone as the Italian representative. Astonishingly (or not), more than half of the wines are from Champagne, while the remaining spots are divided between Burgundy and Bordeaux (5 and 8 spots, respectively). This distribution might seem a bit monotonous compared to the variety we've seen in Barberry Garden, yet it's undeniable that many legendary wines hail from France, particularly these regions.

4. Grapes

   The distribution of grape varieties among the top-40 wines closely aligns with the regional breakdown. Given the stringent appellations of these celebrated wine regions, it's no surprise that the varietals reflect the typical and revered grapes of Champagne, Burgundy, and Bordeaux. This correlation further underscores the influence of terroir and tradition in these storied wine-producing areas.

Wines for normal people

One might critique the top-40 list as being more of a showcase (I am flexing) than a practical guide, noting the limited accessibility of these high-ranking wines. Indeed, many of these bottles are rarities, not typically found on the shelves of local wine shops like Good Wine (it's not called Excellent Wine, after all). Considering that many unique selections are introduced at events organized by Anna, let's pivot and explore the top-40 wines excluding those specific events. However, I'll keep the Stella di Campalto wines in the mix, given their relative availability and presence in locations such as Garage and Good Wine.

Jokes aside, let's press on with our exploration of data and delve deeper into the fascinating world of wine statistics and trends!

Geography

Having delved into the nuanced world of wine ratings, we now turn our attention to the geographical tapestry of our tastings.

After the extensive 22-country tour with Barberry Garden, the coverage of just 11 countries in an equal number of events might seem modest in comparison, as if we've all suddenly become Hobbits, reluctant to venture far. Thankfully, a handful of enthusiastic individuals have ensured our journeys extended beyond the well-trodden paths of France and Italy. The regional diversity, while more concentrated, remains intriguing.

Now, let's consult the map, which only emphasizes our narrowed travel scope. Zooming into Europe, the dominant frequency of French wines becomes starkly evident – 162 instances, far outstripping Italy's 46, our second most visited viticulture locale. The map, brightly coloured, underscores just how often our palates returned to France.

Grapes

Upon viewing the regional distribution, one might anticipate a similarly narrow selection of grapes. Yet, the diversity is pleasantly surprising — we tasted 71 distinct grape varieties across 31 external events, which, while not as expansive as the 112 varieties in Barberry Garden this year, is still quite varied.

Unsurprisingly, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir lead the charge, with a nod to their strongholds in Burgundy and Champagne. However, nestled within the list are some intriguing varietals, adding an unexpected twist to our grape exploration.

Locations

Reflecting on the various venues that hosted this year's external events, it's clear that Garage stands out for its exceptional contribution. Its welcoming and event-friendly atmosphere has made it a favorite spot, hosting a significant number of our gatherings. A hearty bravo to Garage for being such a pivotal and accommodating location for our wine community!

Last words

With our journey through the data now complete, I'd like to express profound gratitude to everyone who welcomed me into their wine tasting events, to all participants who contributed to the data collection, and to the resilient Kyiv wine community for thriving despite the challenges of war. Your spirit is truly inspiring.

Looking ahead to 2024, my engagement in external events will likely echo my approach with Barberry Garden — with continued participation, albeit perhaps slightly scaled back to balance the intensity of the past year. I'm excited about a few nascent ideas that may influence the external event landscape, but for now, they'll remain under wraps until the time is right. After all, wine is a passion project, not my sole endeavor.

Till the next sip, cheers and see you around!