Vinamericas, Inc., The Wine Marketing CompanyTM is proud to present the 6th Annual Florida International Wine Challenge (“FIWC”), Florida’s leading wine competition. Slated for Thursday, June 24 and Friday, June 25, 2010 at The Palms Hotel & Resort (3025 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach), professional judging will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with tastings open to the public from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. each day.
Offering more than 400 wines from 15 countries, the Challenge will repeat last year’s successful “two bottles free with dinner” promotion for ticket holders making reservations at Essensia at The Palms Hotel & Resort. Corkage fees will be waived at the restaurant after 6:00 p.m. as an exclusive promotion for wines chosen from the tasting – a valuable incentive to accompany à la carte or prix-fixe menu options.
Admission per person is $60 per day or $100 for two days (not including dinner), featuring an unlimited wine sampling to benefit the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation and the Melanie Finley Ovarian Cancer Foundation. To purchase tickets or for more information, please call 1-866-998-8466 (VINO) or visit www.fiwc.net.
“We are thrilled that the 2010 Florida International Wine Challenge will bring together the widest range of respected and influential wine industry professionals from across the country and abroad,” said Michael A. Schaefer, executive director of FIWC. “It takes a lot of talent, experience and dedication to taste hundreds of wines from around the world in this type of environment, and our team is both qualified for and excited about this Challenge.”
In 2009, wineries from more than 16 countries including Portugal, Argentina, Chile, Austria, Germany, United States, Brazil, South Afric
a, Uruguay, Lebanon, Australia, New Zealand and Armenia submitted their wines to win one of the coveted medals awarded by the FIWC tasting board.
FIWC Professional Wine Competition
All wines will be tasted in a preliminary “Pass/Fail” round on the first day. On day two, passing wines will be graded for gold, silver or bronze medals. All the wines earning a gold medal will be re-tasted in a third and final round for the “Best-in-Show” award. Gold and silver medal winners will be featured in the “Collector’s Club” of the 2010 Miami International Wine Fair, October 16 and 17, 2010.
FIWC Public Wine Tasting
After the professional competition is conducted, the wines sampled by the judges will be offered to consumers, trade and media for the chance to make their own judgment. A portion of proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation and the Melanie Finley Ovarian Cancer Foundation. Guests dining at Restaurant Essentia will be encouraged to choose any two bottles from the wine competition floor to complement their meals; 10 percent of all sales from prix fixe menus orders will also benefit these local charities.
More about Florida Breast Cancer Foundation
Florida Breast Cancer Foundation (FBCF) is a 501 (c) (3) grassroots organization with the mission to end breast cancer through advocacy, education, and research. FBCF works statewide to raise awareness and mobilize Floridians to ensure sufficient public funding for breast cancer research, quality health care for all without fear of discrimination, and an environment free of carcinogens. FBCF is the only organization in the State of Florida with the End Breast Cancer license plate. All monies raised stay in the State of Florida to support advocacy, education, and research programs for Florida residents and institutions. For more information visit www.FloridaBreastCancer.org.
More about the Melanie Finley Ovarian Cancer Foundation
The Melanie Finley Ovarian Cancer Foundation is a grassroots charitable organization that raises money for Ovarian Cancer education and provides direct financial assistance to young women who have been diagnosed with this disease. Ovarian Cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among U.S. women. Each year more than 22,000 women are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and over 15,000 women will die. By helping young women become aware of ovarian cancer symptoms, Finley hopes to make a difference. For more information, call 954.336.6733 or visit www.mfocf.com.