Table & Vine Sponsors WGBY's Annual Wine Lover's Dinner and Wine Tasting Weekend
02/29/2008
WGBY BRINGS A TASTE OF THE LAND DOWN UNDER TO THIS YEAR’S WINE LOVER’S DINNER AND WINE TASTING WEEKEND
An exquisite seven-course, Australian gourmet dinner, more than 300 wines, and an never-ending array of specialty foods are the main features of WGBY’s spectacular two-day Wine Dinner and Tasting scheduled for February 28 and 29 at the Springfield Marriott.
Among the delicacies being served at the WGBY Wine Lover’s Dinner, set for February 28th from 6 to 10 p.m., are curry seared barramundi raised and donated by Australis in Turners Falls, MA served with black rice and coconut cream, Mediterranean salad with grilled haloumi, and Pavlova with fresh berries and cream.
“One of the unique things about our Wine Dinner is the measures our wine committee and the executive chef at The Marriott take to ensure attendees enjoy an extraordinary meal,” said Charley Rose, director of corporate support & special events for WGBY. “We test the entire menu for presentation and flavor to make sure each dish is right and will be properly paired with appropriate wines.”
According to noted wine educator and volunteer Chair of the WGBY Wine Committee, Jim Holsing, the seven course wine dinner has a wine selection heavily stocked with Australian wines in the dozen or so offered with four Shiraz or Shiraz blends including the Clarendon Hills Moritz Vineyard Shiraz. Also of interest is a Tobruck Woodcutter's Semillion, a d'Arenberg Olive Grove Chardonnay which is a blend of Marsanne and Viogner, and for desert an Australian Muscat and Australian Tawny Port.
On Friday, February 29, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Springfield Marriott WGBY’s Wine Tasting, the largest in western New England, will offer more than 300 wines from thirteen countries and seven states in addition to a wide variety of specialty and gourmet foods. The Tasting is sponsored by Table & Vine, The Republican and Umass Continuing and Professional Education.
"Of particular interest this year are the increased number of wines from below the equator that are worth a try,” said Holsing. “Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa are particularly well represented with grapes like Shiraz, Pinotage, and Malbec. Tastings are a great opportunity to try new wines rather than trying the same ones over and over.”
According to Rose, there is more being offered than exceptional wine at the tasting.
“Something people might be surprised to learn about our wine tasting is that it goes beyond an enormous selection of wine, and includes an equally impressive array of food from a wide range of area purveyors.” Rose added. From local artisan and imported cheeses to smoked meats, locally made salsas, fish and sausages, the food compliments the wines perfectly and makes for an extraordinary evening out with family and friends.”
Tickets for the dinner are $135 per person and $125 for WGBY members and for the tasting, $45 per person and $40 for WGBY members. All proceeds support the programming of WGBY, public television for western New England. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.wgby.org/wine, or by calling 1-800-838-3006 All participants must be at least 21 years old.
WGBY (www.wgby.org), a community supported public broadcasting organization, connects the people of western New England to events, ideas and each other through national PBS programming and locally produced series and specials. With an additional four digital television channels, video on demand, podcasting and streaming video, WGBY is one of the region’s most accessible community institutions, providing lifelong learning opportunities for all.
