Monday, March 15, 2010

Rare & Fine Wine Auction Preview

Largest Auction in the Southwest Celebrates Silver Anniversary

The Wine & Food Foundation's signature event - The Rare & Fine Wine Auction - will take place on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the Four Seasons Austin. (Tickets and more info by calling 512.327.7555.) This year, the auction celebrates its 25th anniversary with a stellar collection of rare vintage wines, luxury travel packages, private wine dinners, and collectible fine wines.

Here's a sampling of what you'll find on the auction block this year:

Bond 2006 Terroir Portfolio
5 Magnums (1.5 L) one each

2006 Bond Melbury
2006 Bond Quella
2006 Bond St. Eden
2006 Bond Vecina
2006 Bond Pluribus

Estimated Value: $3,500


2007 Pride Mountain Vyds Cabernet Sauvignon
1 Salmanazar (9L) Etched Bottle
Signed by Owner Steve Pride

"With ample structure, blue-black fruit and great aging potential, this phenomenal wine is reminiscent of past vintages of the Pride Mountain Reserve Cabernet. The nose expresses gorgeous flavors of cassis, black raspberry compote, cocoa and blueberry. The mouth is firm yet round, with intense flavors that evolve in the glass and balance the wine's structure."
Rated 90 Robert Parker

Estimated Value: $2,500


"Back Home Again" Dinner for Four at Jerry Jeff & Susan Walker's Home

Take advantage of this rare opportunity to spend an evening with a Texas music legend. Susan and Jerry Jeff Walker welcome you and three friends to their Clarksville home to share a home-cooked meal prepared by their personal chef, excellent wines from the Walker's personal collection, and maybe a little country music, too.

Must be scheduled on a mutually agreed upon date prior to April 30, 2011.

Estimated Value: $3,500


1982 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild Pauillac
1 Bottle (.750 L)

"This wine remains one of the legends of Bordeaux. The creme de cassis, underlying floral note, full-bodied power, extraordinary purity, multi-layered texture, and finish of over a minute are a showcase for what this Chateau accomplished in 1982. The wine is still amazingly youthful, vibrant, and pure. It appears capable of remaining fruity and vibrant in 2082!"
Rated 100 Robert Parker

Estimated Value: $1,500

Stay tuned for more lot previews from this year's Rare & Fine Wine Auction.

Tickets? More Info? Visit us at http://www.winefoodfoundation.org/ or call the office at 512.327.7555.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

An Evening with Karen MacNeil


An Evening with Karen MacNeil
The Carillon hosts exclusive fine wine dinner to benefit Foundation

Austin, Texas (March 1, 2010) - Karen MacNeil, beloved TV personality and author of the popular Wine Bible, is coming to Austin for the 25th Annual Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival. Susan and Ed Auler, Founders of the Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival, will act as hosts for this dinner, celebrating the Festival’s 25 year anniversary. This exclusive dinner will be held Sunday, April 18th, at 6:30 p.m. at The Carillon in the AT&T Events Center. Proceeds will, in part, benefit The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas.

Only 16 guests will be able to share this memorable evening at the table with Karen, with an outstanding four-course dinner prepared by the Carillon’s acclaimed Executive Chef Josh Watkins.

Reservations (only 16 places/seats are available) are $200/person, including four courses and all wines. Reservations may be made by contacting the Foundation office (512) 327.7555 or pay online by visiting www.winefoodfoundation.org.


MENU

First Course
Warm Artichoke Salad
Fingerling Potatoes, Fennel and Parsley Chips

Second Course
Asparagus Leek Soup
Jonah Crab, Crème Fresh and Lemon Zest

Third Course
Brioche Crusted Rack of Lamb
English Pea Risotto, Whole Grain Mustard, Tomato Confit

Fourth Course

Chocolate Terrine and Lemoncello Gelato
Coriander Cream, Crystallized Cilantro, Caramelized Orange

Thursday, March 4, 2010

WINE 101: Brush Up or Send a Friend!

Sip, Taste, Learn.

Every year, The Wine & Food Foundation offers a series of wine education classes through our 'Foundation Academy' program. Classes vary in subject matter and knowledge level, and occasionally include food pairings.

This spring, we're kicking off the Foundation Academy series with WINE 101. As you might expect, this class is designed for those with limited wine experience. Wine Instructor Brenda Audino of Twin Liquors will lead guests through a fun and interactive (read: drinking!) approach to learning the basics of wine. The class will feature six wines (six different varietals!) and focus on things the wine novice might be interested in learning.

How do I taste wine? What are the aromas and flavors to identify? How do I know what to order at a restaurant or what to pick out for dinner at home? How did I read this wine label? (Yes, there are ways to read wine labels other than determining if they are pretty or not!)

WINE 101 will take place at Twin Liquors Marketplace at Hancock Center (1000 E. 41st Street) on Thursday, March 11th. Hors d'oeuvres will be included. Even if you're a wine pro, we find that there's always something to learn about the complex world of wine. WINE 101 is highly recommended as a gift for clients, customers, friends, and family.

WINE 101 Twin Liquors Marketplace (1000 E. 41st Street) Thursday, March 11, 2010 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM $30 Foundation Members, $40 General Public Tickets at (512) 327.7555 or http://www.winefoodfoundation.org/.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Louis Jadot Burgundy Dinner

Featuring Jacques Lardiere, Director of Winemaking
Mirabelle Restaurant, Austin
Wednesday, March 3, 7:00 p.m.

The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas invites you to meet one of the most notable winemakers in Burgundy history, Jacques Lardiere, and share a stellar showing of wines and cuisine. The dinner will be held on Wednesday, March 3 at 7:00 p.m, at Mirabelle Restaurant in Austin.

Admission is $85.00 per person, tax and gratuity included. (Please note that refunds are not available.) - CLICK HERE TO SEE MENU AND PURCHASE SEATING

Jacques Lardiere is a legendary Burgundy winemaker for Maison Louis Jadot, one of the most important and famous Burgundy houses.

The Jadot family owns plots in some of the most prestigious vineyards on the Côte de Beaune; holdings were increased to the Côte de Nuits in 1985 with the acquisition of the illustrious Clair Dau estate and Maison Champy in 1989.

Jacques Lardière is Jadot’s technical director and he is a brilliant winemaker always producing pure wines that are expressive of their individual terroirs. For the volume that Jadot produces, from Grand Cru to Bourgogne, the quality level is exceptionally high and the Jadot label is a guarantee of quality and terroir.” Robert Parker

Proceeds from the dinner will support TexSom; the two-day educational conference hosted by the Texas Sommelier Association. Guests will be served by expert Texas sommeliers.

The 2010 Texas Sommelier Association’s annual TexSom conference (for both trade and the general public) will be held August 14th and 15th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Dallas. Visit the Association website http://www.texsom.org/ for upcoming details. Last year over 30 Master Sommeliers attended the conference, providing a broad range of classes and topics.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Red, Red Wine. Stay Close to My Heart.

February is American Heart Month and in honor of your ticker, The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas is serving up two spectacular classes with heart-related themes.

First, join us this coming Tuesday, February 9th for TEAM CUISINE: Cupid in the Kitchen. Food plus wine equals love, right? This class takes place in one of Texas Culinary Academy's state of the art kitchens and is instructed by Chef Kevin Quinn. Team Cuisine offers a hands-on opportunity to cook in a fun, small group setting. In honor of Valentine's Day, Chef Quinn will take a few cues from Cupid, helping participants prepare a few recipes that are perfect for this romantic holiday. (Class attendees are not required to prepare the entire menu!)

Chef Quinn will be joined by TCA Wine Instructor Jane Nickles, who will discuss a few featured wines that are guaranteed to get you in the mood for romance! Among the wine picks is a Graham Beck Brut from South Africa and a Mud House Pinot Noir from New Zealand. As for food, Chef Quinn will be helping guests serve Pan Seared Strip Steak (heart healthy!) and Hearts of Palm Salad.

Cooking not your style? Much prefer to drink wine and have food served to you? No problem. Don't miss our Heart Health for Wine Lovers class on Thursday, February 11th. We are thrilled to be teaming up with Heart Hospital of Austin to present a session on heart health and wine benefits. Cardiologist Earl Dixon, MD, will lead guests through a casual seminar on the links between good heart health and wine drinking. Don't worry. During this class, drinking is definitely permitted and Twin Liquors will be providing some wonderful red wine selections. Light hors d'oeuvres will also be served. This event will take place at Twin Liquors Marketplace at Hancock Center.

For more details on Team Cuisine and Heart Health for Wine Lovers or to purchase tickets, visit The WFFT website here.

Cheers!