For immediate release

July 25, 2007

 

 

The South Florida Business Journal and Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler are inviting wineries to compete in the inaugural American Fine Wine Competition and Gala Dinner, which they are hosting. The competition will take place at the world class Boca Raton Resort & Club on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 22 and 23. It will feature 350 wines competing against their own varietal. The Gala Dinner will be held on Thursday, Oct. 25. Some of the competing fine wines include: Frank Family Vineyards, Bouchaine, Turnbull, Keenan, Marietta, Seghesio, Titus, Ballentine, Thomas Fogarty, Merryvale, Markham, Peju, Ruston, Black Bart, Picket Fence,  Carrefour Vineyards, Lambert Bridge, Reynolds Family, Robert Young, Justin, Trouchard, Chappellet, Philip Togni, Robert Foley, Selene, Cliff Lede and Donum Estate.  All wines entered meet specific criteria and are of the utmost quality.

 

A panel of 16 blue ribbon judges will include Philippe Cherruault, Sommelier, The Four Seasons; Andrew Lampasone, Owner, Wine Watch; Chip Cassidy, Crown Wine & Spirits; Virginia Phillip, Master Sommelier, The Breakers; Delius Shirley, restaurateur, Ortanique; and Charlie Arturaola, Sommelier & Wine Educator among others.

 

A Gala dinner will be held at the Boca Raton Resort & Club following the judging. All competition wines will be available for tasting and will be poured by 20 “Wine Angels”, all of whom are knowledgeable about the wines being poured. The dinner will be open to the public (the judging is closed) but seating is limited. The cost for the dinner is $250 per person or $2,500 for a table of 10. The dinner will include:

 

·         A silent auction to benefit Kids in Distress 

·         Video presentation of wine country 

·         Live entertainment 

·         Two “Pure” Fortessa wine glasses for each guest  

·         Four course gourmet dinner with fine wines

"This is an opportunity to showcase American wines without debating Old World versus New World stereotypes. It will simply be the best American wines showing their finest against their own neighbors. Should be interesting and fun!" Virginia Philip, Master Sommelier, The Breakers Palm Beach. 

 

“This is an exciting and important event- I am surprised it has not been attempted before. Because of the quality of wines and judges, this will become one of the most prestigious wine competitions in the US”, Monty Preiser, Publisher, Preiser Key to Napa.

 

Sponsors of this exclusive event include Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, Attorneys at Law, Capital Hill PC, The Prakas Group, LaSalle Bank, Baseline Engineering and Land Surveying, Cross Keys Capital, Boca Raton Resort & Club and Fortessa Crystal. Additional sponsorships are available.