Reviews: Wine Spectator’s Grand Tasting
WINE HAPPENINGS:
The Venetian Hotel, site of the Wine Spectator’s Grand Tasting
This extravaganza has to win the award for the best wine tasting event in Las Vegas (or just about anywhere else for that matter…!!!) Promoted by the Wine Spectator Magazine on the evening of May 5, and hosted by the Venetian Hotel, this annual event gives locals a chance to sample some of the finest wines in the world. Wine Spectator charges $200.00 for tickets purchased prior to the event and $225.00 at the door. Expensive, but when one considers the wine available for tasting, it actually represents quite a bargain.
Upon entering, patrons received a book listing all the wineries present along with space for tasting notes, a pen, a souvenir tasting glass, and the latest issue of Wine Spectator magazine. After that you were on your own to sample row after row of knockout wines.
In all, approximately 217 winemakers uncorked some of their finest wines for the affair. Many of the most prominent vintners from Bordeaux poured their best chateau wines. For example, Lafite Rothschlid opened their 1999 estate wine. Mouton Rothschild brought their 2001, from Chateau Latour, their 2001, from Chateau Margaux, their 1999, and Chateau Haut-Brion brought their 2002. I think I liked the 1999 Margaux the best of all the Bordeaux wines.
Many other prestigious estates from all over the globe came with some of their finest offerings. A very partial list of California growers representing included Joseph Phelps with their 2003 Insignia, Caymus with their 2004 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, and Robert Mondavi with his 2004 Estate Cabernet. Italian makers included some of the best; Bruno Giacosa, Ornellaia, Ca’Mecanda (Gaja), Castello Banfi and Casanova di Neri. Spain, Australia. Chile and Argentina all had a multitude of well known producers attending. The tasting also had a good selection of nice champagne and sparkling wines available. Bollinger, Roederer Estate and Chandon all had open bottles ready to sip.
As in previous years, the Venetian served a grand buffet of food to complement the wines. Seared ahi, buffalo tenderloin, duck, hams, ravioli, various salads, and lots of deserts and cheeses filled the banquet tables. The staff made the food available throughout the evening, so everyone in attendance had ample opportunity to sample all the food as often as one felt the need to eat. Billed as an appetizer buffet, in reality it’s a full meal and then some. The room seemed less crowded than last year’s event, perhaps because of competition from the De La Hoya-Mayweather fight.
Unfortunately, the event only lasted from 7-10:00 pm. Three hours does not allow sufficient time to taste all the most desirable wines represented at the tasting. Before I knew it, the lights were flashing, signaling the end of event. I had taken one twenty-minute break from tasting to eat, and ended up tasting 27 different wines. I counted about 15 more wines that I would have really enjoyed tasting, but simply ran out of time. How many times does one get to taste so many fine wines under one roof on a single night…???
That’s what the Wine Spectator’s Grand Tasting provides, a very rare opportunity to sample some of the world’s finest wines in a elegant setting, all in one fantastic evening. Try to make the scene next year…
Upcoming Events...
June 1, Friday: Buoncristiani wine tasting at Del Frisco’s Doule Eagle Steakhouse beginning at 7:00 p.m., with all four Bouncristiani brothers/winemakers in attendance. Cost $155.00 per person, all inclusive. Call (702)796-0063 for reservations.
June 12, Tuesday: Cakebread Vineyards dinner at the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas. Wine dinner with representative of Cakebread present. Celebrating Cakebread wines and dinner at the Medici Cafe beginning at 6:00 p.m. Cost, $180.00 per person. Telephone (702)567-4700 for reservations.
June 16, Saturday: Wine seminar with sommelier Norma Poole from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Includes visit to local UNLV vineyard, wine tasting, and lecture about viticulture. Cost, $50.00 per person. Call (702)568-8673 for details.
June 21, Thursday: Wine dinner at the Mon Ami Gabi steakhouse in the Hotel Paris on the Las Vegas strip, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Cost, $95.00 per person. Telephone (702)944-4224 for reservations and details.
June 23, Saturday: Wine Walk at the Monte Lago Village at Lake Las Vegas. Stroll along the village streets of Lake Las Vegas, sample over 30 wines poured by over 20 different retailers in the village, from 6-9 p.m. Cost, $30.00 per person, $50.00 per couple. No reservations required.
June 26, Tuesday: Wine dinner featuring the wines of Gary Ferrell, Russian River master of pinot noir, at the Sonoma Cellar Restaurant located at the Sunset Station Casino, 1301 West Sunset Road, Henderson beginning at 6:00 p.m. Telephone (702)547-7777 for reservations. Cost, $95.00 per person.
The Venetian’s road to the
Grand Tasting...
Grand Tasting...
Above, the buffet; left monsieur Herve’ Berland of Mouton Rothschild, all at the Grand Tasting...
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