FARM WINERIES COUNCIL WINE EDUCATION SEMINARS

SATURDAY and SUNDAY

Throughout the Day as His Fingers Allow

Master Guitarist, Boris Arratia

In The Classical Cafe

Enjoy the classical guitar sounds of Boris Arratia all day both days in the Virginia Wine Showcase Classical Cafe. Boris is a Washington DC area guitarist with over 20 years of experience. His vast repertoire of Classical, Jazz, Latin, Blues, and Modern Pop Music adds unforgettable elegance to the art of enjoying fine wine. He can also be found on the web at www.borisarratiaguitar.com

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SATURDAY & SUNDAY ON THE HALF HOUR

Hosted by Farm Wineries Council

The Vinifera Varietal Taste-Offs

Do you wish you could taste your favorite Virginia varietal from several wineries side by side? Come into our wine laboratory - now you can! We’ll be grouping the award-winners from the Governors Cup and other major competitions by varietal in tasting sessions all day. Taste the wines that are so good they are seldom brought out of the Tasting Room. Varietals for these exclusive reserve tastings include Chardonnays, Viogniers, Cabernet Francs, Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots and the Bordeaux-style Blends of Virginia. Taste-offs happen on the 30s in the seminar hall.

INCLUDED IN EVENT TICKET

11:30 - the Chardonnays                      12:30 - the Cabernet Francs

1:30 - the Cabernet Sauvignons          2:30 - the Viogniers

3:30 the Bordeaux-Style Blends          4:30 - the Merlots

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SATURDAY & SUNDAY AT 2:00

Joe David, Author

Gourmet Getaways

with The Ultimate Pairing of Virginia Wine and Comfort Food

Joe David, the author of Gourmet Getaways (50 top spots to cook and learn), will take center stage and answer the urgent question asked by almost every foodie in America, “What Makes Chefs Gods?”  David will discuss important cooking techniques and a special demonstration by noted chef, Jill Prescott, will tease your palate with a delectible winter soup. Paula Prado from Fabbioli Cellars will join in on the fun with the ultimate Virginia Wine and comfort food pairing.  Will it be memorable? Definitely. Delicious? Absolutely. Gourmet Getaways website www.gourmetgetaways.us

INCLUDED IN EVENT TICKET

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SATURDAY & SUNDAY AT 2:00

Jill Prescott

Ecole de Cuisine

Former PBS Cooking Host Jill Prescott (the founder of Ecole de Cuisine, Asheville, NC) will introduce you to what she learned in Paris. Trained in France, once personal friend to Julia Child, Jill has learned from the best and honed her skills the old-fashion way, studying at three of France’s most prestigious schools (Ecole Lenôtre, Ecole de Cuisine La Varenne, and Ecole de Gastronomie Française Ritz Escoffier). The reward for her years of dedication has resulted in her mastering professional cooking techniques that she can easily translate to the home kitchen. Visit the Ecole de Cuisine website at  www.jillprescott.com

INCLUDED IN EVENT TICKET

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SATURDAY AT 12:00 Noon

Julie's Ristorante & Provisto

LOBSTER FRA DIAVLO

Yankee Magazine, Bon Appetit and the Maine Sunday Telegram have all been talking up the delicacies of a certain Maine restaurant: "some say this is the best Italian food north of Boston"; "The best Italian Retaurant in Maine"; "There's nothing fancy about Julie's, just honest home cooking with fine ingredients and good value" - "Best Restaurant of New England". Come watch as Executive Chef Diane Wolfort cooks up a few scrumpteous Maine Lobsters, shows us the right way to take them apart, and serves up delectible bites with a perfectly paired sip of Virginia vino!  

INCLUDED IN EVENT TICKET

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SATURDAY AT 12:00 Noon AND SUNDAY AT 2:00

Elise Scott, Pearl Fine Teas

TEAOSOPHY

Tasting tea is an art perfected only through experience. Professional tea tasters must undergo years of training in order to develop their pallet. Full of flavor complexities and nuances, tea is generally described as having a foreground (top note), middle ground, and background flavor. These three flavor dimensions come together to create the tea's flavor profile. Teas grown in the same region have a characteristic flavor profile that allows you to compare the quality of teas from estates within the same region. Join Elise Scott, DC's first certified Tea Professional (one of 23 nationally) for a unique exploration of the delectible nuances of tea.

Visit the Pearl Fine Tea website at www.pearlfineteas.com

INCLUDED IN EVENT TICKET

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SATURDAY AT 1:00 AND SUNDAY AT 12:00

Dirty Todd, Todd's Dirt

IT IS TIME TO GET DIRTY WITH THE DIRT MAN

Learn all about the new exciting Todd's DIRT Seasonings with the creator of the seasoning Todd "The Dirt Man".  This is a seasoning made locally in Maryland.  This will be a popular and fun time tasting and laughing with the Dirt man, as he shows the many uses of his seasonings.  During this seminar Todd will cook some easy and tasty Dirty dishes for you to try.  Bring your glass for a before and after sip that demonstrates the complexity food brings to wine. Todd's DIRT is about three things.  Cooking should be Easy, Fun and Taste Great. "Remember, It is always a good time to get DIRTY!!" Visit Todd's website at www.toddsdirt.com

INCLUDED IN EVENT TICKET

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What IS and what ISN'T extra virgin olive oil? This seminar will open with an overview of the history and health benefits of olive oil and how its made. We'll discuss what to look for when shopping for EVOO (extra virgin olive oil). Participants will conduct the ultimate tasting of the four broad types of olive oil - mild and delicate, fragrant and fruity, olivey and peppery, and leafy green and grassy - to learn how to match the right olive oil with any dish you are preparing. Visit the All Things Olive website at www.allthingsolive.com

INCLUDED IN EVENT TICKET

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SATURDAY AT  2:00 AND SUNDAY AT  1:00

Mary Schellhammer, Spice Rack Chocolates

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CHOCOLATE

Spend some delectable time with chocolatier Mary Schellhammer of Spice Rack Chocolates exploring our 2 favorite subjects - chocolate and wine! During this endorphin-spiking seminar, Mary will answer questions like where does chocolate come from? Why do we love chocolate so much? What are the differences between chocolates? You will also learn Mary's  "3 Rules for Pairing Wine with Chocolate".  Then everyone will apply their newly learned skills to pair three different wines with some of Mary's chocolate creations. This is sure to be an exciting and popular hour so arrive early to get a good seat and bring your wine glass! Visit her website at www.spicerackchocolates.com

 INCLUDED IN EVENT TICKET

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SUNDAY at 1:00

Brad Somerford, Homemade Gourmet

4 Meals in 4 Minutes

Learn how to prepare 4 meals in 4 minutes™ that can go into the freezer for a fast grilling or a simple slow cooker meal any day of the week... no matter how busy you are! We bet this one will be our shortest seminar session! Visit the Homemade Gourmet website at www.homemadegourmet.com

INCLUDED IN EVENT TICKET

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SATURDAY AT  3:30

Andrew Stover, Vino50 Selections

ABCs: Emerging U.S. Wine Regions and Their Regional Delights

Sample artisan wines from Arizona, Idaho, Los Angeles County, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Southern Oregon and beyond as celebrated Sommelier Andrew Stover from OYA and SEI Restaurants and brain child behind Vino50 Selections guides an enlightening tasting tour through America's emerging wine regions. Stover holds a Sommelier Diploma from the International Sommelier Guild and a Certified Specialist of Wine Certification from the Society of Wine Educators. He has received countless media mentions for OYA & SEI's  eclectic wine programs, including the coveted Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington's Wine and Beverage Program of the Year nomination for 2007 and 2008. Visit Andrew's website at www.chiefwino.com

INCLUDED IN EVENT TICKET

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SUNDAY AT 3:30

Brandon Walsh, Hosted Wine Tasting, LLC

Virginia vs. The World "Blind" Wine Tasting Showdown

Come put Virginia Wines to the test by taking part in a blind tasting of some of Virginia's best wines against wines from all over the world. Wines include a VA Chardonnay vs.  a non VA Chardonnay, a VA Viognier vs.  a non VA Viognier, and a VA Cabernet Sauvignon vs.  a non VA Cabernet Sauvignon. This interactive wine tasting will allow you to compare then cast your vote for each wine varietal with winners being declared.  This wine showdown will be led by Brandon Walsh, owner of Hosted Wine Tasting, LLC (Herndon, VA).  Brandon studied wine at The Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley and has explored vineyards/wineries across the US, France, Italy, and Australia. Visit Brandon's website at www.hostedwinetasting.com

INCLUDED IN EVENT TICKET

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SATURDAY at 3:30

Glenn Coleman, Glenn's Gourmet Goodies

World's Best BBQ Sauce

The only BBQ sauce that’s not a BBQ sauce! They say it’s perfect for beef, pork, chicken, seafood, noodles, salads, as a marinade, even on bread like garlic butter. Add herbs, seasonings, bourbon or tequila! Try the Wasabi or Chipotle varieties. Visit the Glenn's Gourmet Goodies website at www.gggfoods.com

INCLUDED IN EVENT TICKET

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SUNDAY at 3:30

Jonathan Boroughs, Veritas Vineyards

The Ultimate Valentine Treat

When a winery does dessert you know it has got to be good! Join Chef Jonathan Boroughs as he spins up something delectibly chocolate, adds strawberries, then pairs it with the perfect wine. This is the feature Valentine segment Thursday, 28th at 9:00 am on WUSA Channel 9.  Sit in and taste what was cooked on TV ... This is the last seminar of the show - the “cherry on top” if you know what we mean. Visit the Veritas Vineyards website at www.veritasvineyards.com

INCLUDED IN EVENT TICKET

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SATURDAY at 4:30

Kaushika Patel, Catalyst Gourmet

Easy Elegant Desserts

Transform your next dinner party with an elegant selection of desserts infused with healing, beneficial spices. Discover how easy it is to create a fun dessert fondue, refreshing fruit trifle, delicious gourmet mousse and truffles that will make their hearts sing. Catalyst Gourmet Enhancers and Finishing Sugars transform these dessert favorites for this “Dessert Bar”. Visit the Catalyst Gourmet website at www.catalystgourmet.com

INCLUDED IN EVENT TICKET

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SATURDAY at 4:30

Charlie Adler, TasteDC

Wine Educator and Author of "I Drink On The Job"

Charlie Adler wants to turn wine education on its head. Currently completing a book for wine beginners called "I Drink On the Job", Charlie uses comic anecdotes, stories and life experiences to open up wine "Newbies" minds to a simple concept: wine should be a part of daily meals.  You can follow his updates at www.idrinkonthejob.com, or on Twitter at idrinkonthjob.  He can also be found performing wine tastings and cooking classes at TasteDC - www.tastedc.com.

INCLUDED IN EVENT TICKET

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THE JUDGING OF

THE VIRGINIA WINE SHOWCASE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD

Enter to Win one of our coveted door prizes by participating as a judge in the Virginia Wine Showcase People's Choice Awards. Experience the differences in winemaker styles as you judge the wines featured in the Virginia Wine Showcase. This exercise will result in eight Virginia wines receiving the presitigous Virginia Wine Showcase People's Choice Award for  "Best in Show" as judged by real people - the guests of the Virginia Wine Showcase. Door Prizes for judging include: Restaurant Gift Certificates, Weekend Getaways, Jewelry, Wine Accessories, 2 42" LCD TVs and more!