4th Annual Pinot Days 2008 Grand Festival Returns to San Francisco
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) June 2, 2008
The Bay Area Wine Project is proud to announce the 4th annual Pinot Days San Francisco. Pinot Days brings together more than 190 of the world’s best pinot producers, and over 400 of the best pinots on the market today. A series of educational seminars and special tastings are topped off by The Grand Festival wine tasting Sunday, June 29th, 2008, in the Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason in San Francisco. In addition, the Grand Festival also includes a silent auction offering a number of pinots and pinot-related experiences with proceeds benefiting the Tanzanian Women’s Sewing Project, a trade school for destitute African women, the work of which enables these women to sustain themselves and their families, empowering them for economic independence within a system of poverty and disease. Pinot Days Grand Festival is open to the trade only from 11am – 1pm and to the public from 1pm -5pm. Tickets are and are available at http://www.pinotdays.com or call 415-408-3360 for more information.
Pinot Days is designed to allow wine lovers and members of the wine trade to taste a variety of pinots representing every major growing area, including California, Oregon, New Zealand, Australia and Burgundy. From hard-to-find and the most critically acclaimed pinots, patrons explore new producers, find wines they love and can afford, learn more about terroir, clones, and up-and-coming vineyards, all while broadening their experience with this food-friendly varietal. “If you love pinot noir, and I do, Pinot Days is the place to be,” says Gary Pisoni of Pisoni Vineyards. This is a serious wine event that has no pretense; the environment is casual, showcasing the finest of wines without the attitude.
Can’t get enough Pinot in one day? Pinot Days San Francisco also offers several other intimate wine events to taste and learn more about this noble grape. Events include:
Producer Spotlight Tasting June 25, 2008; 6:30pm-9:30pm Golden Gate Room, Fort Mason. Cost 0. This years Producer of the Year Tasting features a night with Kosta Browne. A rare opportunity to join Michael Browne for an evening to hear how Kosta Browne came to be and taste for yourselves what gives it its rock star status. Space is limited.
Winemakers “Table Hop” Dinners June 26, 2008; 6pm – 10pm Isa Restaurant & Jack Fallstaff Restaurant. Cost 0. Meet the Winemakers as they move tables with each dinner course, and enjoy over 14 highly acclaimed pinots, perfectly paired with a four course, pinot-focused dinner. A unique experience to “go deep” with a few winemakers whose wines and personalities are paired with each dinner course.
Seated Focus Tastings June 28, 2008; Golden Gate Room, Fort Mason. Cost per seating.
Three regional focus blind tastings–each features 16 of the best producers’ efforts within the theme. Winemakers field questions, discuss their own wines and the uniqueness of the regions.
Best of Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Rita Hills and Central Coast, 1pm – 3pm
Best of Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley and Santa Cruz, 4pm – 6pm
Best of Russian River Valley and Santa Maria Valley, 7pm – 9pm
Sunday Seminar Series June 29, 2008; 12 noon – 2pm Landmark Building C, Room 235. Cost
Each Sunday Seminar Series has three parts (appellation, vineyard and misto), and each is moderated by professionals well-versed in the topic. Tastings begin with the pouring of 4 wines within the theme while attendees listen to a 10-15 minute lecture, followed by a 10-15 minute question and answer session. Space is limited to 40 per tasting. For complete information and tickets for all events visit http://www.pinotdays.com.
Pinot Days, the first Bay Area wine festival dedicated to Pinot Noir, is produced by the Bay Area Wine Project, a non-profit dedicated to the promotion of pinot noir. Founders Steve & Lisa Rigisich formed the non-profit out of their love for wine, especially Pinot Noir. Joined by friends Eric and Teri White, who help produce Pinot Days, their goal is to create unique and rich experiences for patrons by, featuring Pinot Noir exclusively and involving winemakers and winery owners to do the actual pouring. The Bay Area Wine Project hosts annual wine tasting events in San Francisco, Chicago, & New York. Beyond tasting and events, the organization’s website provides information about and access to wine-related events in the greater Bay Area, wine education opportunities and wine trivia– including articles about outstanding wine personalities, winery profiles, reviews of wine events, restaurant wine lists, formal tastings and more. For more information visit http://www.pinotdays.com.
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Loews Hotels Wine Line Returns to the Aid of Busy Cooks and Gift Givers this Holiday Season
New York, NY (Vocus) November 10, 2010
Looking for just the right wine to pair with this yearâs Thanksgiving turkey? Need an expert to recommend a red wine to complement the standing rib roast this Christmas Eve? Is there a drink that can stand up to Bubbyâs latkes? Want a great bottle of bubbly to pop open on New Yearâs Eve? The wine experts at Loews Hotels will be ready to take care of all these questions and more, with Loews Hotelsâ Wine Line from November 5, 2010 â January 1, 2011.
Before the holidays send one over the brink, they should put down the corkscrew, take a deep breath and visit Loews Hotels on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/LoewsHotels (âWine Lineâ tab). Post a question on our wall and have it answered by an expert. Knowledgeable, warm and unpretentious certified sommeliers will help guide cooks at home through their wine pairing or wine gift giving dilemmas, no matter their budget.
Four of Loews 15 certified sommeliers will serve on the Wine Line panel for the 2010-2011 holiday season, including Ellen Van Slyke, corporate creative director of food and beverage, Loews Hotels; Andrew Nielsen, director of food and beverage, Loews Philadelphia Hotel; Johannes Diele, director of food and beverage, Loews Vanderbilt Hotel Nashville, and Mark Bronke, director of food and beverage, The Don CeSar, a Loews Hotel.
Loews Hotels promises to respond to all questions within 24-hours, if not sooner. More information, holiday wine FAQs and pairing ideas will be available on the Loews brand Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/LoewsHotels. In addition, each of Loewsâ individual property Facebook pages, accessible through the brand page, will offer the wine line service, along with updates on holiday dining events at each hotel and news about holiday activities in their surrounding areas.
âFor years, loyal guests from across the country have been contacting our hotels during the holiday season, asking questions of our chefs and sommeliers,â said Jonathan Tisch, CEO of Loews Hotels. âWe have always answered those questions with great detail and expert advice, so the Loews Hotels Wine Line is our way of sharing the vast wine and food knowledge among our sommeliers and chefs with everyone. We are delighted to take some of the stress out of the holiday season whether youâre planning a special meal or looking to give a gift of wine.â
What lessons can be learned from the Loews Hotels Wine Line? Time will no doubt reveal stories and questions as entertaining as those posed to the Turkey Hotline over the years, but for now, consider these tips: While everyone knows that white wines go well with turkey, you may also want to consider a pinot noir, which has a bit fuller flavor than white wines. Because it has very few tannins, it will not overwhelm the meal. Also, keep in mind that salty or smoked foods are best served with sweet white wines such as a Riesling or Gewürztraminer.
âRegardless of what your wine dilemmas may be, weâll help you put the âcheersâ back into the season of cheer,â says Tisch.
Loews Hotelsâ team of sommeliers has put together a list of 12 suggested wines and uses in the budget category (approximate prices):
WHITE WINES:
Paco & Lola, Albarino, D.O. Salnes Valley, Rias Biaxas, Spain:
Pale straw color; bright and youthful; fresh notes of citrus; green apples, peaches and floral notes; refreshing and crisp on the palate; the perfect sushi and fresh seafood wine.
14 Hands, Riesling, Washington:
Wonderful aromas of apple blossom and tangerine with a hint of wet stone. Flavors of fresh peaches and Granny Smith apples fill the mouth with racy acidity and a juicy finish. A perfect pairing for spicy Asian dishes, or before dinner as a cocktail.
Walnut Crest by Emiliana, Valle Central, Chile:
Light, clean and crisp with fresh citrus and grassy aromas on the bouquet. Flavors of pear, kiwi and melon dominate the taste of this dry, fruit forward style wine that finishes with a zesty twist of lemon and grapefruit.
Chasing Venus, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand:
This fun white is a classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with flavors of grapefruit and gooseberry followed by a crisp and lingering finish. Chasing Venus focuses on what New Zealand does best: Sauvignon Blanc. The fruit source is from the Comely Bank and the Griggs vineyards in the heart of the Marlborough region. Try it with grilled fish.
Sonoma – Cutrer, Chardonnay, Russian River, California :
The Russian River Ranches is packed with fragrant aromas of ripe pears, pineapple and acacia blossom – perfect compliments to its crisp and firm structure. On the palate, flavor notes of fresh red apple, peach, apricot and melon seems to go on forever with just a hint of oak, leading to a rich, long-lasting, perfectly balanced finish. A perfect complement to poultry, fresh sea bass or halibut – especially when finished with cream or butter – or rich, buttery cheeses like young Gouda.
RED WINES:
Pinot Noir, Irony, Monterey:
Aromas of ripe, red cherry, vanilla and undertones of earthy clove and mushroom.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Geyser Peak “Walking Tree”, Alexander Valley:
Subtle aromas of luscious blueberry and blackberry that are refined and perfectly balanced with a long and elegant finish.
Zinfandel, Sanctuary “Mariah Vineyard”:
Full bodied yet elegant with flavors of blackberry, black licorice, white pepper and exotic aromas of mandarin orange.
SPARKLING WINE:
Domaine Chandon Brut, Sustainable:
Fresh and lively with a hint of pear, fig and honeysuckle; recommended as an aperitif.
Poema Cava, “Penedes” Brut, Sustainable:
Excellent value for this sparkler from the northeastern region in Spain. Ripe peaches with creamy texture and an elegant finish.
CHAMPAGNE:
Taittinger, Sustainable:
Complex with a nice bouquet of peaches and tropical fruit with a dry finish.
Henriot Brut Souverain NV, Sustainable:
A fine crafted wine, dry and rich with apple and apricot flavor, cream and vanilla on the finish.
Prices are based on current published retail prices and subject to change.
Have more to spend? Send us your questions and price range on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/LoewsHotels for ideas!
About Loews Hotels
Headquartered in New York City, Loews Hotels owns and/or operates 18 hotels and resorts in the U.S. and Canada, including the newest 414-room Loews Atlanta Hotel opened April 1, 2010. Located in major city centers and resort destinations from coast to coast, the Loews portfolio features one-of-a-kind properties that go beyond Four Diamond standards to delight guests with a supremely comfortable, uniquely local and vibrant travel experience. Loews boasts some of the industry’s most innovative and successful travel programs, including Loews Loves Kids for families and Loews Loves Pets for discerning animals on the road. For reservations or more information on Loews Hotels, call 1-800-23-LOEWS or check http://www.loewshotels.com.
Follow Loews Hotels on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Loews_Hotels.
Fan us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/LoewsHotels.
Contact:
Molly Mesnard/Gina Sisco
Redpoint Marketing PR, Inc.
(212) 229-0119
mesnard(at)redpointpr(dot)com / sisco(at)redpointpr(dot)com
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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest Returns To The Greig Farm For Itâs Fifth Year On September 8th, 9th and 10th, 2006
Red Hook, NY (PRWEB) February 21, 2006
WineRacks.com Inc, proud sponsor of the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest, is pleased to announce the 2006 dates for the Fest. The 5th Annual Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest will be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 9 and 10 this year. Once again, we will be returning to the beautiful Greig Farm in Red Hook, Dutchess County, New York.
We will kick off the Fest with a benefit Grand Reserve Wine Tasting on Friday, September 8th from 6 to 9pm. The Grand Reserve Tasting will feature pourings from select New York wineries of their special reserve vintages that are generally not available to the public. There will be hors dâeourves from great local restaurants and caterers, as well as an auction for to benefit the Ulster and Dutchess Countyâs Cornell Cooperative Extensions (CCE). A portion of the proceeds from the evening will benefit the fine educational programs of the CCE.
The Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest is a celebration of the bounty of New York state wines and food. We will bring together over 200 wineries, gourmet food, and fine art and craft vendors this year. Weâve also added an expanded Family Friendly area that includes a corn maze, a hay maze for the little ones, hayrides, apple and berry picking and more. There will be wine tasting, gourmet cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, wine seminars and great local music to fill the weekend with wine, food and fun for the whole family.
The weekend Fest hours are 11am to 6pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday. The event is held Rain or Shine under giant white festival tents. Parking is free.
For more information about the Fest visit our website at http://www.HudsonValleyWineFest.com.
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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
