Ahhhh! Sunshine and great weather....the perfect time for wine aficionados to check out the local Wine Tasting Scene here in L.A. I recently had the opportunity to visit the first "Wine Riot Tour", March 25-26th., held at Santa Monica Place on the third level. This might have been their first Riot Tour in the U.S., but there were enough wines to please even the fussiest pallet. Wines were featured from all over the world including South Africa, Portugal, France, and Germany just to name a few, with California amply represented.

The principal here is simple, you don't need a ton of cash to drink awesome wines, and that a small amount of knowledge can go a long way, which is just one of the many ideas behind Second Glass President, Founder Tyler Baillet & CEO, Co-Founder Morgan First, the company that brings you and sponsors Wine Riot. Wine Riot has consecutively sold out for the last two years in Boston. Both Baillet and First have deemed their U.S. tour their Launch Event for Los Angeles. The company not only helps people discover their favorite wines, but remember the ones they like forever.

For one night only Canada Food Netwook host Chef Guy Rubino (Made to Order) came toHollywood to dazzle the Los Angeles press with culinary delights. In Hollywood style, he served Sashimi then went on stage to play rock music as we ate the first course.

 

 

March 27, 2010, 1:00 - 2:15 PM. Seminar #1 : Sommeliers speak out: Guidelines for pairing wines with local dishes.
In this session we will take two signature dishes from bay area eateries and discuss which wines would pair best with them.  You’ll learn the keys to pairing wines with foods and how different bridge ingredients might result in surprising wine recommendations. 

 

When: February 12th

Held at the Oregon Convention Center, the Showcase is attended by over 2,000 people who gather to taste over 300 varieties of wine, dozens of gourmet cheeses, hot hors d’oeuvres, and other specialty foods. Guests receive a complimentary wine glass, and a tasting book to guide them through the wide selection of wines and provide a place for them to rate each wine they taste.

Website: http://www.bgcportland.org/get-involved/special-events/wine-and-cheese