The Miami Wine and Food Festival to benefit United Way of Miami-Dade presents Best in Glass Wine Challenge, a comprehensive, blind and rigorous wine competition, judged by more than 30 of South Florida’s premiere sommeliers and wine directors including: Allegra Angelo of Michy’s and Sra. Martinez; Mackenzie Parks of Sugarcane and Sushi Samba; David Mokha of Fontainebleau Miami Beach; Erik Saccomani of Casa Tua the Hotel; and Cynthia Betancourt of Azul at Mandarin Oriental.
The two-day challenge will take place at the new School of Culinary Arts at Miami Dade College on Jan 9-10, 2011. Wineries need apply by Dec 1, 2010. The challenge is aimed at awarding wines that are affordable and appeal to consumers. Winners will be featured at more than 30 of South Florida’s premier restaurants and hotels during Best in Glass month, which will run from mid-March through mid-April.
The challenge will culminate at the 16th annual Miami Wine and Food Festival (April 14-17, 2011), benefiting United Way of Miami-Dade, where award-winning wines will be featured at the festival’s Saturday night Winner’s Circle dinner. Every year, under the direction of James Beard award-winning wine and food writer, Lyn Farmer, the festival draws thousands of foodies and wine enthusiasts and has raised almost $10 million for charity.
“The Best in Glass Wine Challenge is an exciting addition to the Miami Wine and Food Festival, and aims to feature the world’s best wines through a unique competition, judged by local experts for local drinkers – it’s a win-win for everyone,” Lyn Farmer, festival director, said.
All entered wines will be evaluated by panels of judges, selected from the top sommeliers and hotel and restaurant wine directors in South Florida. Judging will take place in rounds preliminary, semi-final and final. Each wine will be tasted blind and evaluated by at least two panels of judges, with all judges tasting finalist wines for the top awards. The competition reserves the right to add sub-categories where the number of entries requires more specific listings, as well as the right to re-classify wine entries in the event a category does not receive at least five entries.
For more information visit, www.miamiwinefestival.org, or call 305-646-7111.