Plans for Annual New Orleans Wine & Food Experience Uncorked

Edited by Madelyn Miller

When discussion of over 15,000 glasses of wine being poured, from 1000 different wines, from over 200 winemakers is overheard in the Crescent City it can only mean one thing… The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (NOW&FE) is preparing for its annual extravaganza.

Oenophiles & Foodies Invited to Raise a Glass to NOW&FE's Sweet Sixteen
May 23 to May 27

Mark Needham, 2007 NOW&FE Board President, states, "NOWFE is a showcase of the world's premier wine producers, local and regional chefs and culinary personalities. We intend for the 16th annual event to be a celebration of wine and food, as well as a salute to our city's triumphs over the past sixteen months."

Internationally recognized as one of the leading wine and food festivals in the world NOW&FE will present its most spectacular schedule of events May 23 – 27, 2007.

World class wineries from around the globe and New Orleans top culinary artisans will be showcased at NOW&FE's signature events, as well as at numerous seminars. This exciting five-day event kicks off Wednesday, May 23 rd with Vintner Dinners at over twenty of the city's most celebrated restaurants and culminates with the Bubbles and Brunch event on Sunday, May 27th. The expanding Royal Street Experience and the two-day Grand Tastings are but a few of the highlights during NOW&FE. A full program listing and ticket information can be found at www.nowfe.com

"This year we have plans to enhance our most popular events as well as adding new and exciting opportunities for attendees," reveals Howard Brown, Chief Operating Officer-- Wines Unlimited. Brown continues, "as always wine seminars will be offered at several locations during the event and will offer one-on-one interaction with wine makers and world-class chefs."

Vinola! NOW&FE's new premium tasting event is a rare opportunity for 150 wine enthusiasts to mingle with notable winemakers, while sampling up to 120 elite wines from around the world. On Thursday, May 24 th, Muriel's Jackson Square, will host 30 winemakers pouring their most revered and highly rated wines; each exceeding a retail value of $75.

Several featured seminars of the 2007 schedule include:

Artisan Cheese with Chef John Folse – Classic wine and cheese pairings presented with on-site preparation of traditional cheese-based recipes, incorporating both Chef John's own cheeses and several other Southern favorites.

Blind Tasting Tactics 101 - Learn how the pros do it, then, test your own palate! Rebecca Chapa, D.W.S., C.W.E., Rubicon Estate Ambassador & CIA Adjunct Instructor, introduces a standard tasting methodology that allows you to decipher the origin of a wine. Enhance your own tasting ability and watch as an expert gets put to the test. You will discover that with practice, you too, can taste wine like a professional!

Local Shrimp with Chef John Besh – Put on your shrimpin' boots and join world-renowned chef John Besh, Chef/Owner of Restaurant August & Besh Steakhouse, and New Orleans' own Kay "the Shrimp Lady" Brandhurst for some local flavor and jumbo fun!

All of the Dirt on Pinot Noir - Discover what difference soil, geography and climate can make in a Pinot Noir's profile. Winemakers and friends, Joe Davis of Arcadian Winery and David Graves of Saintsbury, will discuss and demonstrate the difference terroir makes when making the perfect Pinot. Moderated by Glenn LeBlanc, CEO, Avenue Wines, Inc.

SAKE: Not Just for Sushi Anymore! Ed Lehrman, importer and owner of Vine Connections will deliver the ABC's of selecting, serving and enjoying Japanese Ginjo Sake, the "Drink of the Gods." Taste premium chilled sake, explore its rich traditions, and discover what the buzz is all about!

VOILA… Rabbit Anyone? Chefs from four outstanding New Orleans restaurants will pull the rabbit out of the hat and work their magic with innovative dishes. Moderated by New Orleans Food Authority, Tom Fitzmorris.

Tango with Argentinean Malbec! What makes the Malbec grape as sensual as the dance itself? A panelist of experts will guide you through the rhythm of this noble varietal.

What Sideways Didn't Tell You - What do Petrus, Cheval Blanc and other world renowned Bordeaux wines have in common with the wine "Miles" refused to drink? You might be surprised to learn that Cheval Blanc, the prized bottle of wine in the movie, was a Merlot based wine, as are many famous wines from Bordeaux. Taste for yourself how magnificent Merlot can be!

NOWFE is a non-profit organization. Proceeds from the 2006 event benefited the Louisiana Restaurant Association's School-to-Career Program, The University of New Orleans School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism, The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, Delgado Community College Culinary Arts Program, New Orleans Firefighter's Fund, Crescent City Restaurant Re-Birth Project, Emeril Lagasse Foundation and the Walter G. Links Junior Foundation.

The full program is listed on the NOW&FE website along with a link to purchase tickets

NEW ORLEANS FAVORITES OF THE TRAVELLADY

FOR MORE INFORMATION

HELPFUL WEBSITES
www.neworleansonline.com
www.neworleanscvb.com

TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

Instead of waiting till next year's Mardi Gras to rally for the city, invest in something that truly shows your support. Find things from New Orleaners.
Available online at b-native.com .

WHERE TO STAY

Harrah's
www.harrahs.com
#8 Canal Street , New Orleans, LA 70130 (504)533-6000

Hotel Monteleone
214 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130-2201
www.hotelmonteleone.com

Chateau Sonesta Hotel New Orleans
800 Iberville Street
New Orleans, LA 70112 504-586-0800
800-SONESTA

http://www.travellady.com/Issues/April05/1391WheretoStay.htm

WHAT I WISH I HAD KNOWN BEFORE I WENT TO NEW ORLEANS

There are two kinds of people who go to New Orleans, those who want to party and those who don't. If you don't plan to stay up all night, be sure to express that preference when you check in and request a quiet room, perhaps on a courtyard. Or consider staying outside the quarter if you value a good night's sleep.

I stayed at a to-be-nameless hotel (not in the hotels recommended above) in the quarter and called down to the front desk because of all the noise. They were prepared. They sent up earplugs. That was not enough. Two sleeping pills and six hours later, I learned there was a long list of people who wanted to change rooms. I waited (and slept) all day in my room waiting for another room, wanting to be sure not to loose my place on that special list. The helpful front desk person told me that more people than usual had called down to complain the night before.

MOST LITERARY TIME TO PLAN YOUR VISIT

The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival celebrates its anniversary—usually the last weekend in March. Weather is cool, reception is warm, topic is hot.

BEST FICTIONAL BOOK ABOUT NEW ORLEANS RESTAURANT SCENE

Prime
By Poppy Z. Brite
Three Rivers Press
www.crownpublishing.com

http://www.travellady.com/Issues/May05/1473Prime.htm

BEST PLACE TO GET ONLINE FOR FREE

201 St. Charles in the food court
Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm

Free internet access at Krystal's on Bourbon with a $5 purchase

BEST "BLUES" EXPERIENCE

Blue cheese Burger at Rmeoulade's
309 Bourbon Street

BEST SHOPPING ADVICE

And Madelyn's favorite stores
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/May05/1351Iatesomuch.htm

BEST LOCAL PLACE TO SHOP

RHINO
(which stands for right here in New Orleans)
504-523-7945
www.rhinocrafts.com
A non-profit educational organization whose purpose is to expand public knowledge of and stimulate public awareness in contemporary Louisiana fine crafts.

Bywater Art Market
Affordable Local and Regional Art
3rd Saturday of every month
Markley Park—Piety and Royal Street in Bywater 504-944-900

BEST SPAS

EarthSavers.

Several locations and all good for you and the environment. My manicure lasted for three weeks—a record for this frequent traveler who is moving luggage constantly and typing on my computer.
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/April05/1353ForgetVoodoo.htm

Belladona
2900 Magazine
504-891-4393
Some of the most creative spa treatments in the world plus a zen retail store. Enjoy tea in the meditative garden. The classiest way to relax with a massage, sauna, hydrotherapy, hot tub and more.

http://www.travellady.com/Issues/February05/1248NewOrleansBelladonnaDaySpa.htm

Arie
In the Monteleone Hotel
214 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130-2201
www.hotelmonteleone.com

GREAT GUIDEBOOKS

FEET ON THE STREET
Rambles Around New Orleans
By Roy Blount, Jr.
Crown Journeys
www.randomhouse.com

INSIGHT GUIDES NEW ORLEANS
From Discovery Channel
www.insightguides.com

ACCESS NEW ORLEANS
HarperResource/Access Press
www.harpercollins.com

NEW ORLEANS
EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES
Over 700 pictures
DK PUBLISHING
WWW.dk.com

EATING NEW ORLEANS
From French Quarter Creole Dining to the Perfect Poboy
By Pableaux Johnson
Countryman Press
www.countrymanpress.com

2005 NEW ORLEANS RESTAURANTS
With bonus Nightlife section
ZagatSurvey
www.zagat.com

STORIES IN STONE: A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography
Written and photographed by Douglas Keister
Dead men may tell no tales, but their tombstones do—and now there is a book that will help anyone become an expert on just what it is they are trying to tell us. Graveyard tours and funerary architecture are HUGE in New Orleans so you may want to study up.
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
www.gibbs-smith.com

NEW ORLEANS COOKBOOKS

Brenan's Cookbook
By Pip, Jimmy and Ted Brennan
Brennan's cookbook features a collection of the restaurant's famous recipe, a history of the restaurant (including information about the early family), and a history of the building (it was built by Edgar Degas -- the famous French painter's great-grandfather) as a residence.

Arnaud's Restaurant Cookbook
New Orleans Legendary Creole Cuisine
By Kit Wohl
Pelican Publishing Company
www.pelicanpub.com

Uglesich's
By John Ugleich
Pelican Publishing Company
www.pelicanpub.com

FLAVORS OF LOUISIANNA
AUDUBON PLANATATION COUNTRY COOKBOOK
By Anne Butler
Pelican
www.pelicanpub.com

BEST BOOK FOR MUSIC BACKGROUND

Triksta
Life and death and New Orleans rap by
Nik Cohn

Triksta has already gone to press when Katrina struck. Within a few hours, the world Nik Cohn had lived in and written about was largely destroyed, but its people, for the most part, survived.
Alfred A. Knopf
www.aaknopf.com

BEST MUSIC TO GET YOU IN THE NEW ORLEANS MOOD

American Blues
Celebrate the Soul and spirt of the blues with some of America's greatest contemporary blues artists
Putumayo World Music
www.putumayo.com

Mississippi Blues
A musical journey down the Mississippi River with classic blues from Memphis to New Orleans
Putumayo World Music
www.putumayo.com

HELPFUL MAP

MAPQUEST NEW ORLEANS City Map . This large scale detailed street map folds up to 2"x3"

Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer who loves New Orleans. Read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com, www.carladynews.com