Sun WineFest 2011

[Steve Mirsky]

The 8th Annual Sun WineFest returns to Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun Casino January 28 -30th. This is hands down the largest food and beverage extravaganza in New England and it’s right in my backyard! The hub of activity centers around the Grand Tasting Event held on both Sat. & Sun. (Jan. 29 -30) 12-5 p.m.. Here attendees get to sample more than 1,000 fine wines and specialty beers paired with signature dish tasting portions from some of the region’s finest restaurants. Along with trade exhibits in the Convention Center, main stage events include celebrity chef demonstrations from the likes of Bobby Flay and Todd English, a Grape Stomp, and the 7th annual Mohegan Sun Oyster Open.

$70 for a one-day pass.  Weekend passes $110. Tasting portions come with an extra nominal fee.

Additional events throughout the weekend requiring separate admission include:

Celebrity Chef Dine Around

Indulge in an evening of delectable dishes prepared by world-famous chefs and cookbook authors like Jasper White, Bobby Flay, Donatella Arpaia, Todd English, and Robert Irvine. Each dish will be paired with extraordinary wines with winemakers on-hand to meet and greet guests.

Saturday 7:30-11pm. Tickets $175 per person.

Elite Cru Tasting

So you may be asking, “What exactly is a cru?” It’s simply a French wine term for “growth space”. Get up-close-and-personal with some of the best winemakers in the world in the Mohegan Sun’s Cabaret Theatre. Sample select vintages from premium wineries like Silver Oak Napa Valley, Antinori Solaia, Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia, Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot accompanied by tasty hors d’oeuvres.

Saturday 3-5pm.Tickets $200 per person include a Grand Tasting ticket for the day as well as a complimentary Bottega del Vino stem.

Whiskey & Bourbon Tasting

New this year and presented by Beam Global Spirits and Wine at Leffingwells Martini Bar, guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres under the world’s largest indoor planetarium dome and taste a variety of fine bourbons including Maker’s Mark, Booker’s, Knob Creek and Jim Beam. To accentuate the experience, a dedicated space will be set aside for a premium cigar sampling hosted by Davidoff.

Weekend Kickoff, Friday 6-9 pm. Tickets $75 per person.

Bubbles & Bon Bons

Also brand new and capping the weekend in The Cabaret Theatre, Bubbles & Bon Bons will offer the ultimate pairing of high-end champagnes, chocolates and cheeses.

Sunday 6-9 p.m.. Tickets $95 per person.

Check out Sun WineFest 2011 for the complete lineup and event info.  Stay in the loop at facebook.com/sunwinefest and twitter.com/sunwinefest.

photo courtesy of Sun WineFest 2011