Eve's Wine 101

Fess Parker Winery Unveils Newly Renovated Tasting Room

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LOS OLIVOS, Calif., /PRNewswire/ — The Fess Parker family is pleased to announce the debut of their renovated tasting room, which reopened to the public on April 2, revealing a more modern design that pays homage to the family’s roots and supports the winery’s more elevated tasting experiences.

 

Established by the late Fess Parker in the 1980s, the multigenerational family owned and operated Fess Parker Winery has built a reputation for crafting exceptional Rhône and Burgundian wines from Santa Barbara County. Since opening its expansive tasting room and winery in the early 1990s, Fess Parker Winery has remained a top destination in the region, welcoming guests to enjoy high-quality wines from its picturesque location along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail.

Looking to create a more contemporary experience for guests while incorporating the family’s unique history, the Parker family embarked on a tasting room refresh that would become the next evolution of the presentation of the brand. To bring their vision to life, the family hired Oliva Villaluz of Oliva Villaluz Design, who worked closely with siblings Eli Parker and Ashley Parker-Snider to conceive and execute the new look, which included updates of both interior and exterior spaces.

“After 30+ years, it was definitely time for a refresh,” explains Parker-Snider. “We knew we wanted to create an environment that would feel a little bit grand, yet still welcoming and comfortable – all while giving visitors a sense of place and meeting the needs of our elevated hospitality experiences.”

The floor-to-ceiling fireplace remains the centerpiece of the tasting room interior, which is now surrounded by comfortable chairs and a communal table to give the room a lounge-like setting. Beside the Fireplace Room are two semi-private tasting areas catering to more intimate wine experiences, including those showcasing the family’s robust library collection of wines, going back over two decades.

Additional decorative touches in the tasting room include a mural of the Fess Parker Home Ranch, showcasing the 714-acre property founder Fess Parker purchased in 1988, as well as a stunning Kodiak Greenwood photograph of Mr. Parker’s favorite spot on the ranch, which is printed on metal and hung as a tryptic above the fireplace. Memorabilia from Mr. Parker’s acting days – including the guitar he auditioned for the role of Davy Crockett with and an original copy of the lyrics from “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” with edits in the margin – are also included in the space, as a nod to the late patriarch’s roots.

Outside, tasting areas are reconfigured to further accommodate the winery’s shift towards more elevated, private tasting experiences while taking advantage of the area’s picture-perfect weather. New outdoor tasting bars were added to maximize usage of the spacious grounds, while new shade sails, outdoor furniture, and plants create a comfortable, appealing environment in which to enjoy the wines year-round.

Finally, the existing prep kitchen was updated with state-of-the-art appliances, allowing the winery to enhance their hospitality programming and accommodate a variety of special events.

“With the redesign, our goal was to create a warm space that invites guests to make lasting memories, but one that also allows them to connect to the people behind the wines and place,” says Parker-Snider. “We feel like the end result will stand the test of time. It’s something our folks would be proud and excited about, and something we hope the next generations will be excited about for years to come.”

About The Fess Parker Family Portfolio

Since the late 1980s, Fess Parker and his family have cultivated a world-class hospitality portfolio around the beauty and bounty of Santa Barbara County. The Fess Parker Winery is focused on the grape varieties best suited to the region’s unique growing conditions – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rhone wines – with its vintages consistently earning 90+ point ratings from top critics around the world. In addition to a waterfront hotel in Santa Barbara, the family honors their late patriarch’s legacy by hosting guests at the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn in Los Olivos, the heart of Santa Barbara wine country. For more information, please visit www.fessparker.com.

The Nth 2022 Ultimate Whisky and Spirits Experience: Celebrating 10 Years of Flavor, Distinction and Luxury

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The Nth Ultimate Whisky and Spirits Experience is back with a bang for its glorious 10th anniversary celebrations, to be held once again at the beautiful Wynn Las Vegas Hotel and Resort showcasing the very best our beloved Whisky and Spirits industry has to offer.

There’s no getting away from the fact that the past two years have been as troubling, uncertain and disruptive for the Whisky and Spirits industry as they have been for any other. We’ve seen no shortage of events rescheduled, cancelled, or switched to being held online… so it gives us an enormous amount of pleasure to be back in our spiritual home Las Vegas doing what we do best.

As our 10 year anniversary special, and as our triumphant comeback, we’re pulling out all the stops on the 22nd and 23rd of April 2022 and providing an experience unlike any other. If whisky and fine spirits make your world go round, there’s simply no better place to be.

Nth 2022 is more than just a celebration of fine whisky – it’s a voyage of discovery, a journey into the heart of what makes this world-beating spirit so very special, and an opportunity to take your passion to new heights. What’s more, it’s a chance to share this passion with like-minded individuals, new friends, and experts gathered from around the world, joined together by an unrivalled enthusiasm for sheer excellence.

World class exhibitors, resplendent dinners, meet and greets, Master Classes, Super Pours, High Roller Lounge, opening of new releases, High Roller package (for those seeking to truly make the most of their Nth 2022 experience) justifies its reputation as the world’s leading fine Whisky and Spirits event.

A COVID-Secure Celebration In Style

On the one hand, the team behind the Nth 2022 are keen to ensure that the experience exceeds all expectations in a way befitting all good 10th anniversary celebrations. On the other, we want to ensure that all of our guests and delegates feel safe, remain protected, and that guidelines are adhered to with the latest healthcare advice.

Nth 2022 is, after all, an interactive experience; one at which whisky and fine spirits lovers from across the nation and the globe can come together in celebration, and get up close and personal with their favourite labels. As such, Show Founder Mahesh Patel has been working tirelessly to ensure the safest measures have been taken, with no compromises made when it comes to spectacle and sophistication.

The result? An interactive exhibition experience, which surpasses any of the ten years of whisky convention excellence that has gone before. By working alongside Wynn Resorts, and by adhering to a wide array of health and safety guidelines, we’ve designed Nth 2022 in a way that will keep delegates safe without ever interrupting the pleasure and enjoyment that sits at the heart of the event. The Nth 2022 will go ahead exactly as it should: as a joyful celebration of whisky and spirits. After all, you wouldn’t expect – and don’t deserve – anything less.

A Thrilling Array of Vendors and Exhibitors

There are many reasons why aficionados of fine spirits have The Nth 2022 marked on their calendars as an unmissable date, and just as many reasons why guests will be flocking to Wynn Las Vegas from across the globe. Our exclusive High Roller Experience comes with a stunning array of master classes, super pours, gifts, dinners, networking and tasting some of the world’s most expensive new releases of spirits in the world. However, at every Nth Experience the real big draw is the chance to explore what’s on offer from our incredible array of guest vendors and exhibitors, who represent the absolute cream of the crop of the spirits world. As you’d expect from a 10th anniversary celebration, this year’s event has truly gone the extra mile to include representatives from the world’s most prestigious and exciting distilleries.

We’ve invited exhibitors from Scotland, Japan, the USA, France, and even further afield this year, bringing them together for your pleasure right here in Las Vegas. Guests at The Nth 2022 will be able to pick up tips from the masters, peek behind the curtain of some of the world’s greatest producers, and get up-close-and-personal with some absolute wonders from their archives and cellars. From The Dalmore to Bowmore, Glenlivet, and Glenfiddich, and from The Macallan to Michters and countless others in between, it’s a deep dive into the greatest names and hidden treasures of the industry.

Super Pours and Once-in-a-Lifetime Drams

If the Nth experience is known for one thing, it’s that it gives whisky connoisseurs the chance to truly tick off their spirits bucket list in flawless style. The Nth 2022 has truly upped the ante when it comes to the list of Super Pours on offer this year, with an awe-inspiring list of whiskies and Spirits being brought out for your tasting pleasure and sensory fulfilment.

We’re keeping the list of Super Pours available at The Nth 2022 under wraps for the time being… but recent years have seen incredibly rare and precious whiskies (such as G&M Private Collection Mortlach 1954, Glenfiddich Grand Cru, Dalmore 35YO, Last Drop 1870 Port, and The Glenlivet Atlantic 1965) being poured to rapturous applause. Trust us when we say 2022 features bottles that are right at the top of the wish-lists of the world’s greatest whisky fans, and they’re surely not to be missed.

Master Classes with Industry Icons

The Master Classes at The Nth have always been one of the biggest draws to this industry-defining showcase of fine spirits, and Nth 2022 is shaping up to be the best yet when it comes to panels and seminars hosted by the world’s most celebrated experts. Delegates at last year’s event were able to join Whisky Master Classes including: The Urquhart Family, The Dalmore distillery, William Grants and many more….

Here’s to Ten More Years!

The past ten years of The Nth have been an incredible journey; a chance to rejoice in the love and appreciation of the world’s finest spirits, educate dedicated whisky fans and deepen the joy that masterful distillation can bring.

On the 22nd and 23rd of April 2022, we’re coming together at The Wynn Las Vegas to not only celebrate the zenith of whisky and fine spirit production, but also to celebrate the journey The Nth has been on.

2022 is going to be a year to remember right across the spirits industry – it’s the year of the comeback, the defiant return to form, and of new ambitions and new ideas. The Nth 10 Year Anniversary experience is sure to be the highlight, and we can’t wait to see you there.

For Tickets and Event information please visit www.universalwhiskyexperience.com

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VINEXPO INDIA AND SIAL INDIA HOST THEIR FIRST EXHIBIT IN NEW DELHI

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SIAL India and Vinexpo India hosted their first exhibit in New Delhi from 9th – 11th December 2021 at Pragati Maidan. The show, which was one of its first kind in India in the B2B space, was jointly organized by InterAds Exhibitions, Comexposium and Vinexposium.

The Government of Meghalaya partnered SIAL India for this edition which was inaugurated by Ms. Amanda Strohan, Deputy High Commissioner Embassy of Canada, Mr. Matthias Radosztics, Deputy Head of Mission at the Austrian Embassy, Mr. Eric Fajole, Trade Commissioner and Director of Business France for South Asia Embassy of Paris, and Mrs. Rebecca Suchiang, Chief Secretary of Meghalaya. The three days of show had 119 exhibitors, 80 B2B meetings and saw over 7500 visitors from across Delhi-NCR.

The show hosted interesting masterclasses with experts from the F&B industry. An exceptional program of culinary events: demonstrations, live cooking classes with renowned chefs such as Mr.Manjit Gill, President, IFCA hosted a cooking demo of forgotten Indian recipes whereas Chef Manisha Bhasin hosted a cooking demo for sustainable cooking. The maiden Vinexpo India show in Delhi had participation from 15 wine and spirit companies. The exhibitors included the only dedicated State Wine Board in the country, the Karnataka Wine Board.

“It’s been a wonderful experience with SIAL. We have been recognised and able to meet with different people to introduce our products. Thanks to SIAL for choosing us and shortlisting our products. We are also proud to be the bronze prize winner of the SIAL Innovation Awards”, said a spokesperson of Condor, an exhibitor at the show.

Kartie, a winemaker from Mizoram said, “Vinexpo India has been a great experience! The masterclass has proven to be truly beneficial. The event has been truly informational and knowledgeable. Looking forward to more events like this in the coming years.”

The show hosted a program of masterclasses and tastings for the visitors. Throughout the 3 days, besides the cooking demos, there were Hosted Buyer Meeting, Conferences, Award Shows and Vinexpo Challenge.

Vinexpo India will now co-locate with SIAL India next on 10-12 May, 2022 in Mumbai, the economic capital of India and a major gateway for international trade. Mumbai’s economy is growing fast and its wine and spirits market is booming with a potential of 300 million consumers.

Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium, commented “The success of the first edition of Vinexpo India in New Delhi encourages us to open doors to more territories in India. I am very much thrilled by the perspectives of launching Vinexpo India in Mumbai as soon as May 2022, it is an important milestone for the future.”

For more information, visit Vinexpo India

About Vinexpo India

The launch and establishment of Vinexpo India in 2021 was a first for the global wine and spirits industry. This B2B event is designed to connect producers from around the world with distribution and retail players in a market with strong potential. Vinexpo India is drawing on Vinexposium’s high standards, coupled with close collaboration with its local partner Inter Ads Exhibition and hosted in co-location with SIAL India, the global B2B platform dedicated to the food industry.

About Vinexposium

Owned jointly by Comexposium and Vinexpo Holding, Vinexposium is the world’s leading organizer of wine and spirits trade events. Vinexposium offers an enhanced range of high-performance events, tailored to different market segments, with a portfolio of iconic and recognized events: Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, Vinexpo America, Drinks America, Vinexpo Hong Kong, WOW! Meetings, Symposium “Act for change”, Vinexpo Shanghai, Vinexpo India and WBWE Amsterdam, as well as Vinexpo Explorer and World Wine Meetings.

2021-2022: An eventful season ahead for Vinexposium

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Vinexposium is boosting the recovery of the wine and spirits trade in the global arena by hosting seven in-person events over the next nine months. Economic activity is promising to resume and Vinexposium is readying to orchestrate a raft of pivotal business gatherings. The group will be travelling to today’s and tomorrow’s key markets to maximise interactions between wine and spirits producers from around the globe and qualified buyers. Drawing on its digital development and its long-standing support of the industry, Vinexposium is ready to help drive export sales for industry members through a complete roster of dedicated events.

Autumn

The group’s next event, the World Bulk Wine Exhibition (WBWE), which now embraces all wine and spirits categories, is due to take place in Amsterdam on November 22 and 23. It brings together all strands of the bulk wine industry, a segment which now covers 34% of wine exports across the globe (source: OIV 2021). Vinexpo Shanghai, scheduled from 20 to 22 October, will not be running due to health restrictions in China which do not allow Vinexposium to guarantee a high-performance return on investment for its clients. The end of the year will be marked by the launch of Vinexpo India from 9 to 11 December in New Delhi, which will be held concurrently with SIAL India. Vinexpo India’s mission is to provide the spark for producers from around the world to establish relations with distributors and retailers in a high-potential growth market.

Winter

Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris will be the first major international event of 2022 for the global wine and spirits industry. Highly anticipated for its ability to generate business meetings, it will take place from 14 to 16 February at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and will bring together all of France’s wine regions along with an extensive variety of international wine regions. The event is set to mark the return of in-person events within the industry. The following month, the destination is North America with Vinexpo America and Drinks America slated for 9 and 10 March in New York. The two co-located events will bring together the entire beverage alcohol industry. Vinexpo America will be exclusively aimed at wines, whilst Drinks America, a new addition to the Vinexposium calendar, will focus on spirits and all beverage alcohol.

Spring

Vinexpo Hong Kong, the strategic platform for business in South-East Asia, will be held from 24 to 26 May at the HKCEC for a three-day event where meetings, discoveries and engagement with importers, distributors, sommeliers and international producers will set the tempo. Vinexpo Bordeaux rounds off the season in June, once again flying the international flag across the city in a renewed format combining off-beat encounters, trade meetings and industry-consumer prospective insight.

“We are delighted to be rolling out for the first time under the Vinexposium banner, an events calendar packed with marketing opportunities! Through our seven forthcoming events, our clients will finally be able to get back to the in-person events that are absolutely essential for tasting and conviviality. 2022 will most certainly be a celebration, honouring business and the world of wine and spirits”, comments Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium.

“With its events set to resume, Vinexposium is fully prepared to provide producers and buyers with support through its range of international business experiences. There is no doubt in my mind that going forward, the group will more than ever before offer a crucial source of business for the wine and spirits industry”, adds Christophe Navarre, chairman of the Vinexposium board.

An events calendar catering to each continent

  • 22-23 November 2021: World Bulk Wine Exhibition (WBWE) in Amsterdam
  • 9-11 December 2021: Vinexpo India in New Delhi
  • 14-16 February 2022: Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris
  • 9-10 March 2022: Vinexpo America and Drinks America in New York
  • 26-28 May 2022: Vinexpo Hong Kong
  • June 2022: Vinexpo Bordeaux

The group is also preparing to ramp up its digital portal Vinexposium Connect to maximise the scope of its events and provide an even greater service to the industry 365 days a year, across the entire globe.

For more information, visit Vinexposium.com

About Vinexposium

Owned jointly (50/50) by global events organiser Comexposium and Vinexpo Holding (owned by the Bordeaux-Gironde Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CCIBG), Vinexposium is the world’s leading organiser of wine and spirits trade events. Vinexposium brings together an extensive range of high-performance events catering to different market segments through its portfolio of iconic, recognised events: Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, Vinexpo America, Drinks America, Vinexpo Hong Kong, Vinexpo Bordeaux, Vinexpo Shanghai, WBWE Amsterdam, as well as Vinexpo Explorer and World Wine Meetings.

Vinexpo America and Drinks America Plan A Joint Debut In New York, March 9-10, 2022

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Where the wine and spirits world meets in America: Vinexpo America and Drinks America plan a joint debut in New York, March 9-10, 2022

PORTLAND, Maine – Diversified Communications and Vinexposium has announced two co-located events—Vinexpo America and Drinks America—that will reunite the beverage alcohol industry in person, under one roof, in 2022.  The trade-only expos will be held March 9-10, 2022, in the new Hall 3 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Together, they promise to attract top buyers and decision makers from across North America, the largest and fast-growing beverage-alcohol-consuming market in the world.

Vinexpo America is a repositioning of the former Vinexpo New York, which for three years served as the premier international exhibition for wine and spirits professionals in North America before a 2021 pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In its new form, Vinexpo America will focus exclusively on wines, with representation from all of the world’s top-producing regions.

Drinks America is a brand-new expo created in response to a forecasted continuing rise in consumption of spirits and ready-to-drink beverages. It will feature a wide array of spirits, beer and sake from producers across the globe as well as beverage alcohol accessories and services.

Both events will provide U.S. and Canadian buyers access to new and established brands that are looking to expand distribution, network and meet with existing customers in North America. From conferences to master classes, two full days of educational programming will address issues relevant to both the wine and spirits worlds.

For attendees, Vinexpo America | Drinks America offers the advantage of one registration for full access to both shows’ exhibits, programming and events—a great value that also optimizes efficiency as they can meet with producers from around the world in one location over two days.

Exhibitors will benefit from visibility to all buyers, decision makers and influencers from both events, plus unlimited free guest invitations. A new business matchmaking service will facilitate one-to-one meetings during the two-day exhibition.

“We’re excited to renew our partnership with Vinexposium and come back to New York in 2022 with a brand-new, greatly enhanced offering,” said Mary Larkin, president of Diversified Communications USA. “Bringing together Vinexpo America and Drinks America in a single meeting place will enable us to serve the entire U.S. wine and spirits communities—an especially welcome opportunity after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the industry’s major exhibitions in 2021.”

“The launch of our events in the United States in 2022 is designed to coincide with the resumption of trade between Europe and the USA. Under a new name, Vinexpo America aims to embrace the entire North American market, alongside Drinks America. It has become crucial to offer our customers a comprehensive business platform that matches the scale of the American continent and includes spirits, craft drinks and beers alongside wine,” stresses Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium.

More information regarding the 2022 event will be announced in the coming months.

About Vinexposium

Owned jointly by Comexposium and Vinexpo Holding, Vinexposium is the world’s leading organiser of wine and spirits trade events. Vinexposium offers an enhanced range of high-performance events, tailored to different market segments, with a portfolio of iconic and recognised events: Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, WOW! Meetings, Vinexpo America & Drinks America, Vinexpo Hong Kong, WBWE Asia, Vinexpo Bordeaux, Vinexpo Shanghai and WBWE Amsterdam, as well as Vinexpo Explorer and World Wine Meetings.

About Diversified Communications

Diversified Communications is a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities, and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products, Diversified Communications connects, educates, and strengthens business communities in over 15 industries including: renewable energy, healthcare, natural and organic, food and beverage, and technology. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA, with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third-generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.divcom.com

Clarion Events Food & Beverage Group Offers Reinvented Live Events

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Trumbull, CT – Clarion Events Food & Beverage Group, trade show producers of several leading restaurant and foodservice industry events, is thrilled to announce that the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo and Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show will both be taking place as scheduled in August and September 2021, respectively. Free registration will be made available to qualified foodservice professionals. Registration for both events will open in June.
“While the restaurant and hospitality industry has been hit hard by the global pandemic, we are thrilled to see the light at the end of the tunnel and make plans to bring the industry together in both Anaheim and Orlando,” said Tom Loughran, Vice President for the Clarion Events Food & Beverage Group. “As a way for us to support the industry we are picking up the check and offering free registration to all qualified foodservice professionals who will have access to our new education program offering five Summits as well as to the trade show floor which will showcase industry vendors and aisles of new products and services.”
Based on attendee and market feedback, the five new Educational Summits will feature content focused specifically on the needs of: Independent Restaurateurs, Small to Mid-Sized Chains, Retail, Contract Foodservice, and Technology at each of the events. Each of the Summits will focus on similar topics, geared toward the particular segment they represent. Some themes include social media and marketing, human resources, leasing and development, financing and accounting, operations, and technology.  For more information, visit www.westernfoodexpo.com/education-tracks.
Additionally, there will be COVID-specific focused sessions to show what opportunities there are for rebirth and growth that can come from such a challenging time. These sessions will focus on Re-evaluating Leasing and Negotiating Contracts, Post-COVID Opportunities and Franchising and Growth Strategies. The events will also offer operator-focused education providing peer learning from those operating restaurants daily. Attendees will also hear from industry-thought leaders and consultants who can provide firsthand knowledge and insight.
The trade shows will also feature many of the special events attendees have come to expect including Center Stage Culinary Demonstrations, the Torch and Beacon Award Presentations, as well as panels of industry thought-leaders and C-Suite executives. Rapid Fire and Hip Sip Competitions with local chefs and bartenders and Beverage Focused panel with members of the ‘Bar Rescue’ Team are also being planned. For information on participating in these events, contact Lauren Selman, Conference Manager at lauren.selman@ifbta.org.
The live trade shows and education programming will take place at the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, August 22-24, 2021 at the Anaheim Convention Center, CA; and The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show  taking place September 19-20, 2021 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL.
Clarion Events (https://clarionevents.com/) produces 37 events across 13 sectors of both trade and consumer events. The Food & Beverage Group includes the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York, The Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show, Healthy Food Expo, CoffeeFest and The NGA Show. Clarion Events, backed by The Blackstone Group, has become one of the fastest growing event companies in the U.S. with aggressive growth through both acquisition and launch. Clarion acquired PennWell in early 2018, bringing 4 Tradeshow 200 events into the U.S. portfolio and super-charging the already rapid growth. Clarion Events has offices in Trumbull, CT; Kennesaw, GA; Boca Raton, FL; Tacoma, WA, and Fairlawn, NJ.

Vintage Eve Circa Jan 2018, “Wine 101: The Demise of the Dinner Party”

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Cruising a foodie group on Facebook one member’s query kind of stuck out in my mind. It was something like, “Does anyone do dinner parties anymore?” About half of the comments, if not more, said no. Due to pets, small dining spaces, children, busy schedules and a lack of ideas.

Bushman Kitchen – overlooking our Napa Valley vineyard (We wish!)

That lack of ideas on what to do for a dinner party got my mind racing. I never run out of ideas. Granted we have a kitchen made for entertaining, and a home that has managed events for up to 75 people, but the size of our kitchen isn’t where our dinner party ideas stem from.

It stems from our interests not only in food preparation and presentation, but also with the wine and/or spirits we want to serve to complement our meals.

If we go back a few decades we began as young married couples often do: experimenting in the kitchen. I happened to share my kitchen with a firefighter that was used to cooking for a dozen or more crew members. Hence, we always had too much. (Truth be told this is still a problem!) We had pals that lived close by that were more than willing to come up for a ready made meal, bring wine, and our Thursday Night Dinners began.

Every other week we walked over to see the Andrews, and they came over to our house on the weeks when it was our turn. Eventually other friends got wind of our dinners and they grew – with more couples and more wine than we really wanted to partake in on a week night.

Fast forward to our third home in Awesometown. Our kitchen prep area is probably four or five times greater than the kitchen was in our starter home was. And now we knew that the kitchen was where the action was. Ed had become an excellent cook, as most fire fighters are, and I was happy to be his sous chef.

Now we plan monthly dinner parties, with a rotating set of pals (as we are all so busy everyone is not always free) and still enjoy the menu planning as well as pulling wines from our cellar to pair. Over the years I have also enjoyed hosting meetings for the different events I’m working on, as well as a monthly Brainstormer’s Group – and these are mostly potluck with some kind of wine or spirit tasting I throw in for fun.

These are the different ideas we’ve tried over the years:

  • We did a large wine event with five different tasting stations where guests moved from room to room, outside to inside, and returned to the kitchen for the final pairing.
  • Hosted a jam-making class!
  • The “Buck Bar” idea borrowed from Lesley and David Solmonson’s book “The Twelve Bottle Bar” where guests are prompted to replace the vodka in a Moscow Mule with rye, bourbon or scotch, and the lime with orange or lemon. Just crafting your own cocktail with all the bartender tools is fun!
  • Pot lucks with everyone bringing one of their prized homemade dishes – can’t ever go wrong with that.
  • Gin or vodka tastings – those are not so usual – after dining.
  • After dinner put on a movie like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off that you can talk over.
  • I’ve done chocolate tastings where I’ve guided guests to go from dark to light, with some wine and port as well, to see how the chocolate flavors develop and change when we study them.
  • An adult Pinata with tiny plastic booze bottles.
  • Make friends with restaurant owners – they make you want to up your game!
  • Play Apples to Apples, or any easy to play game for families, after dinner.
  • Wine and Junk Food pairing. We like popcorn and sparkling wine and chocolate candy with Zinfandel – with a lot in between. You have to do some experimenting before you plan this one.
  • After a dinner: blind wine tastings, single varietal tastings, aroma lessons…

So if you were on the fence about planning a fun dinner party I hope this article helped to get your creative juices working. And if you need more assistance, or a really fun guest, you know where to find me!

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

CELEBRATING THE 10th ANNUAL ULTIMATE WHISKY AND SPIRITS EXPERIENCE -NTH 2020 APRIL 24 – 25, AT WYNN LAS VEGAS

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The Universal Whisky Experience presents to you the Nth 2020, the World’s Premier Luxury Whisky and Spirits Experience. Hosted at The Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, this master event showcases the best brands of both whiskies and spirits from all over the world. We are the only event in the world where you get to sample the most premium, rare, unique and expensive whiskies and spirits from all the major houses worldwide.

Celebrating a milestone year with its 10th Anniversary celebrations at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, you will find an experience to deliciously overwhelm your tasting senses. Indulge in exceptional whisky tasting opportunities, mingle with master distillers, blenders and mixologists and learn more about the whisky and spirits world in the most unique event of its kind.
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Universal Whisky Experience and the Nth –founded By Mahesh Patel back in 2011 is excited to bring this event to Wynn Las Vegas as a reflection of the past 10 years and the amazing journey it has been for us all. Showcasing some of the world’s Most Expensive Bottles, Unique Master Classes, Luxurious settings and meeting new great friends. The Nth 2020 Experience will be the start to a new revolution in Whisky and Spirits Tasting around the globe.

Come celebrate with us and walk down memory lane enjoying our Amazing Journey since 2011 –https://universalwhiskyexperience.com/amazing-journey/

The Nth has a reputation for curating unforgettable experiences for whiskey aficionados. “This year we have raised the bar. We have sourced a selection of the world’s most expensive and rare whiskies for tasting. We are also introducing new events, dinners and sessions to the schedule that will truly wow our guests” says Patel.
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This years’ experience will include a few surprises:

  • Start of the Tenth Anniversary Celebration Special Master Classes
  • High Roller Lounge Featuring the most exclusive super pours for tasting
  • Showcasing world’s most expensive bottlings from all over the WORLD
  • Grand Finale with over 200 whiskies and spirits under 1 roof at the Nth Main tasting event

Guests can enjoy a menu of exclusive experiences, including:

  • The rare “Super Pours” representing whiskies and spirits valued at more than$300 a dram
  • A stroll-around tasting featuring the world’s most distinguished and coveted whiskies and spirits
  • Direct access to meet the makers of the best whiskies and spirits in the world with Exclusive New Launches
  • Wines, Champagne and delicious hors d’oeuvres

Two experience levels are available to purchase:

  • High Roller Experience –Friday, April 24 – Saturday April 25, 2020

The premium package includes exclusive access to all show events and tastings including: High Roller Lounge featuring exclusive High Roller Super Pours, Private Events with other High Rollers, One-on-one meetings with brand ambassadors, The Nth main tasting event, Master Classes, Dinner Reception, High Roller Gift bag, cigars and more…

Purchase Tickets here:

https://universalwhiskyexperience.com/high-roller-ticket-2020/

  • Connoisseur Experience – Saturday April 25, 2020

Guests seeking a high-touch experience with a few extra indulgences without going over the top will enjoy the Nth main tasting event, tasting all Whiskies and other Fine spirits, Super pours, hors d’oeuvres, and receive a cut crystal Glencairn tasting glass.

Purchase Tickets here:

https://universalwhiskyexperience.com/connoisseur-experience-ticket-2020/

Martha Stewart, Antoni Porowski and others join USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience Tour 2019

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McLean, VA – USA TODAY NETWORK Events, part of Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), announces that the USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience 2019 tour with Martha Stewart kicks off Saturday, September 7 in Brooklyn, New York. Additional cities and dates include Detroit, September 14; Indianapolis, September 28; Cincinnati, October 5; Louisville, October 19; Las Vegas, October 26, presented by MGM Resorts International; Scottsdale, November 2 & 3; Los Angeles, November 9; Chicago, November 16; and closing in Naples, November 23.

“This marks the third year for USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience,” said Andy Yost, chief marketing officer for USA TODAY | Gannett. “Our readers already rely on us for authentic, expert content to tell the story of food in our communities and this is brought to life with USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience’s inspiring culinary showcase that connects participating brands with passionate audiences. We’re thrilled to continue to give consumers direct access to talented chefs, restaurateurs, wine and spirit experts and their products.”

USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience is an engaging culinary exploration in each city of the tour where fans and connoisseurs alike taste and celebrate wine and food and see national and regional gourmet leaders at work. These events give sponsors the opportunity to directly and powerfully connect with patrons.

Martha Stewart will appear in Naples, presenting a limited-ticket seminar plus meet and greet, as well as a cooking demonstration for all Grand Tasting guests. In addition, all patrons can enjoy samples from Martha Stewart Wine Co.

Renowned chefs such as The Food Network’s Chopped stars Alex Guarnaschelli and Scott Conant, Netflix Queer Eye star Antoni Porowski are special guests on the tour.  Brie and Nikki Bella, also known as The Bella Twins of WWE fame and stars of reality TV show Total Bellas on E!, join the tour with their Belle Radici wine brand.  Global wine authorities include SommSelect cofounder Ian Cauble, among only 274 Master Sommeliers worldwide and star of Netflix docufilm “SOMM,” and David Lynch, sommelier, two-time James Beard Award recipient and editorial director, SommSelect.  Guarnaschelli will appear in Brooklyn, Detroit, Scottsdale, Indianapolis and Louisville. Conant will be a special guest in Cincinnati, Los Angeles and Chicago. Porowski will be a special guest in Brooklyn Scottsdale, Los Angeles and Chicago.  The Bella Twins and Cauble and Lynch appear in all 10 tour stops.  Special guest chefs for Las Vegas will be announced in the coming months.

Central to each USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience is the Grand Tasting, a flavorful exploration of special chef recipes, wines, craft beers and spirits with diverse gourmet personalities and restaurateurs. Grand Tasting and VIP Grand Tasting tickets include access to a schedule of cooking demonstrations and wine seminars; VIP tickets add early entry and a special lounge with exclusive drinks and bites. In addition, limited-ticket seminars and meet and greets are available with special guest chefs Stewart, Guarnaschelli, Conant, Porowski and others, and sell out quickly.

Tickets are available at WineandFood.USATODAY.com/ Early ticket purchase is recommended as most USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience events sold out in 2018. Consumers and participating brands can engage with USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience on social media via #WFE and @usatodaywinefood.

R Entertainment of Scottsdale, Ariz., which co-developed and produced Scottsdale-based azcentral Wine & Food Experience in 2015, produces the national series in conjunction with USA TODAY.

Sponsorship or participation opportunities are available by contacting Todd Wienke, TWienke@usatoday.com or Mike O’Donnell, mikeod@r-entertainment.com.

Artisan Cheese & Craft Beer in Vermont’s Lake Champlain Region This August

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Curd nerds and growler geeks can now find fulfillment as they travel with Cheese Journeys on its inaugural adventure to northwestern Vermont, August 8-13, 2019, to some of America’s favorite creameries and breweries, including award-winning Jasper Hill Farms & Cellars and the “Best Brewery in the World,” Hill Farmstead Brewery. The journey will aptly include an exclusive experience at the 11th annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival at historic Shelburne Farms on August 11, 2019.

Officially kicking off the tour in the city of Burlington, food trippers will enjoy a convivial signature cocktail featuring a local spirit and brew, followed by a short introduction to food photography before heading to a leisurely dinner at one of the city’s best restaurants.

The next day travelers head to Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom to visit renowned Jasper Hill Farm, one of America’s most innovative and successful artisan cheese businesses. An exclusive visit to the creamery with founders and brothers, Andy and Mateo Kehler, will not only include tasting some of the most prized cheeses in the US and abroad, but will also provide an opportunity to learn about their philosophy of cheesemaking, affinage, and sustainability. A stop at Jasper Hill’s Randi Albert Calderwood Cropping Center, the Farm’s state-of-the-art hay drying facility which allows the company to produce much of their herd’s own feed, contributing to the true taste of Jasper Hill’s products, underscores the meaning of “terroir.”

A behind-the-scenes tour of the Burlington Farmers Market will offer an overview of many of Vermont’s best artisan producers of cheese, meats, cider, and even veggie fermenters. Mad River Distillers and Lake Champlain Chocolates are just two of the several specialty food makers that will be visited. During an exclusive Vermont Cheesemakers Dinner, including cheesemakers (naturally) and the director of the Vermont Cheese Council, Tom Bivens, guests will learn about the Vermont cheese scene in more depth.

At the 11th annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival, idyllically located on the shores of Lake Champlain, travelers will enjoy VIP admittance as they meet up with nearly fifty cheesmakers as well as local wine, craft beer, and numerous other food and beverage purveyors in attendance. Presentations about farmstead and artisan cheesemaking, cooking demos, workshops, and educational seminars are all awaiting at the festival.

A return to Shelburne Farms with a cheese-tasting and tour of the grounds, as well as a stop at Shelburne Vineyards to enjoy their award-wining wines will add to the appreciation of this region’s agricultural heritage and diversification.

Finally, no cheese venture to Vermont would be complete without a stop at Vermont Creamery, one of the country’s best-known goat dairies. Company president, Adeline Druart, will reveal how co-founders, Allison Hooper and Bob Reese, developed their highly-acclaimed fresh and aged goat cheeses, cultured butter, and other European-style dairy products 35 years ago.

Cheese Journeys founder, Anna Juhl, will lead this adventure throught the back country of Vermont, accompanied by two co-hosts: Tenaya Darlington, author and academian who goes by ‘Madame Fromage,’ and Jeff Roberts, author and one of Vermont’s food-scene experts. Believing in the importance of cheese education, Curds & Co (Brookline, MA), The Cheese Shop (Concord, MA), and Fairfield Cheese Company (Fairfield, CT) are collaborating with Cheese Journeys on this trip. FREE travel to and from Burlington, VT is available at each of these three locations.