Winter Wine Festival 2011

Details
Parent Category: Other Festivals
Category: Food/Wine
Published on Monday, 17 January 2011 19:45
Written by Lynne Shannon

The 7th Annual Winter Wine Festival runs January 14 to February 27, 2011 at theWentworth by the Sea Hotel in New Castle, New Hampshire.  

This luxurious historic hotel is the perfect setting for everything Wine appealing to  interests ranging from the newbie and the I-only-know-what-I-like enthusiast to the serious connoisseur. The annual popular features are back:

The Festival kicks off with the Grand Tasting Reception, when attendees get to sample hundreds of wines from around the world, along with food from several of the Seacoast’s top restaurants (accompanied, of course, by delightful music).

Valentine's Day brings back Veuve Clicquot Champagne Grand Vintner's Dinner, this year with Wentworth’s own Executive Sous Chef Matt Louis, and each course of this dinner paired with a delicious glass of sparkling Veuve. What better meal to celebrate the Day for Lovers!

Other Grand Vintner's Dinners include:

Frog’s Leap Winery Grand Vintner’s Dinner
with founder/owner/wine maker John Williams
This is Williams’ first appearance at the Winter Wine Festival. Frog’s Leap wines are organically grown and naturally fermented, and “John has made Frog’s Leap winery a leader in sustainable winemaking practices, from organic farming to solar energy.”

J. Lohr Vineyards & Winery Grand Vintner’s Dinner
with co-owner Shauna Troy and
Guest Chef Jonathan Cartwright of The White Barn Inn
Chef Jonathan Cartwright returns for his fourth star-studded wine dinner at the Festival. Shauna Troy is New England regional manager and co-owner of sustainable J. Lohr Vineyards, which just received the prestigious and coveted Wine Enthusiasts 2010 American Wine of the Year.

“Black Diamond Truffles & Coastal Pinot Noirs” Grand Vintner’s Dinner
with Guest Chef Adam Savage of Sagamore Resort,
Jann Cotter of Jackson Family Wines & Susan Rice Truffles
Susan Rice Black Truffle Diamonds returns to join Chef Adam Savage in creating a menu featuring the coveted black truffle in every course.  Jann Cotter of Jackson Family Wines will pair each course with pinot noirs from Cambria, Byron, La Crema, Hartford Court and Kendall Jackson. 

Bogle in Blue Jeans & Rockin’ Rombauer “Not So Grand” Grand Vintners Dinner
Jim Teegan of Rombauer and Robbie LaBlanc of Bogle Vineyards team with Wentworth’s Executive Sous Chef Matthew Louis for a casual evening with dancing.

This year’s Seminars are:

Spanish Wines & Regions Tasting – with certified Spanish Wine Educator (WSET) Steve White of M.S. Walker.

Discover the Villages of Southern Rhône – Sheila McGovern from Vineyard Brands discusses the villages of Chateau de Beaucastel, Coudoulet de Beaucastel, Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Vinsobres, Cairanne and Cotes du Rhone.

Port is for Lovers – The many varieties of port are explored through a tasting of all styles with Sheila McGovern from Vineyard Brands with the Symington Family Ports: Warre, Duoro’s single largest vineyard owner.

Organic, Biodynamic & Sustainable Wines – Explore and taste the world of organic wines with Paul Chartrand of Chartrand Imports

Other events:

Sommelier Smackdown: Certified Sommeliers Sarah Mackinley vs. Jess Sutton
Sarah and Jess face off as they match wines for a four course meal prepared by Executive Sous Chef Matt Louis.

Cooking Demonstration: Wine Pairing with Popovers
Executive Pastry Chef & Certified Master Baker Steve James
Master Baker Steve James instructs how to make strudels, from savory to sweet, and pair them with the perfect wine.

Flight Nights let attendees relax with selected flights of wine and their compatible hors d'ouevres, along with a guest wine connoisseur, and the sounds of live jazz.  A Riedel Glass Demonstration is presented by Riedel Glas Austria, makers of wine glasses and decanters, on January 19.

The Bubbles and Jazz Sunday Brunches are hosted by Piper Heidsieck (January) and Domaine Chandon (February).

The Grand Closing Celebration finishes off the Festival with the last chance to experience all of the wines featured throughout the event, for those who just couldn’t be everywhere at once!

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Families First.

For further information, visit www.northeastwinefestivals.com and select "Winter Wine Festival".


7th Annual Winter Wine Festival
January 14-February 27, 2011

Wentworth-by-the-Sea
A Marriott Hotel & Spa
588 Wentworth Road
New Castle, New Hampshire
603-422-7322
www.wentworth.com