International Wine Competition Sets Stage for South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
Miramar Beach, FL (PRWEB) January 14, 2014 -- The first event of the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival will be held January 24 as a distinguished group of 27 highly qualified wine judges convene at Hilton Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort for the International Wine Competition. During the day-long blind judging process, more than 600 wines in 83 distinct categories will be critically evaluated in one of the most competitive, extensive and respected international wine competitions in the United States. Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded in each category.
“Respected for both the quality of wines entered and expertise among its judges, the blind competition literally measures the pulse of the wine industry and provides wine lovers, especially festival attendees, an exciting array of award winning wines to experience,” says John Morris, Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), Chief Judge and Director of the Wine Competition.
The judges’ panel is made up of vintners, educators, collectors, restaurant owners and wine-related media. The blind tasting will be conducted with many of the wines that will be shown and sold at the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival. Upon completion of the medaling process, an intense “grand showdown” of the most highly favored gold medalists will occur to determine a Best of Show White Wine and Best of Show Red Wine.
The medal winning wines become highly sought after during the spring charity festival, taking place April 24-27 in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. Proceeds from the festival support Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, benefiting children’s charities in Northwest Florida.
"Our international wine competition has garnered the reputation as one of the top annual wine events. The exceptional quality and diversity of the wines as well as the expertise of the judges is what sets us apart from the others," says Morris.
Festival founding partners include Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, Visit South Walton Tourist Development Council, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Wine World of Northwest Florida and Grand Boulevard at Sandestin®.
About South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is an annual charity event held the last weekend of April. The festival features a stunning showcase of the best wines the world has to offer. Celebrity wine producers and chefs present fine wine and food pairings from the world’s most famous appellations. The Savor South Walton Culinary Village offers a sumptuous array of foods to taste, wines to pair, as well as wine and food seminars, cooking demonstrations and live entertainment. The event is a major fundraiser for Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, which benefits children in need in Northwest Florida. For more information, including a list of attending winemakers and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.SoWalWine.com.
Stacey Brady, Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, http://www.grandboulevard.com, +1 (850) 837-3099 Ext: 3, [email protected]
Share this article