MIAMI, Nov. 12  -- The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food
Festival, presented by Food & Wine magazine, returns Thursday, February 21- Sunday, February 24, 2008, bigger and bolder than ever. The Festival has grown into a one-of-a-kind celebration of wine and food, complete with a who's who roster of celebrity chefs and culinary personalities including Jamie Oliver, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Rachael Ray and Giada De Laurentiis, to name a few. This year, more celebrity hosted events and wine and food tastings are available than ever before.
    For individuals who would like to focus their time at the Festival on
sampling incredible wines in the company of some of the world's most
renowned sommeliers and winemakers while learning about what makes a great wine, the Festival offers a bonanza of options. With ticket prices ranging from $45 - $200, these seminars offer many insights into the world of wine as well as the secrets of spirits -- with opportunities to sip bourbon, taste tequilas and even learn the genesis of great classic cocktails. Following is a breakdown of some of the wine and spirits seminars and tastings offered throughout the Festival. For a complete listing of events and times, please refer to the calendar of events at
http://www.sobewineandfoodfest.com.
    "The 2008 wine seminar program is more impressive than ever with
seminars tailored to everyone from novice to aficionado," stated Mel Dick,
President, Wine Division, Senior Vice President of Southern Wine & Spirits of America. "Having the endorsement of Wine Spectator as a top tier sponsor and host of the wine seminar program really validates the caliber of our wine program."
    For those that want to start at the very beginning, Taste Wine Like a
Master Sommelier takes place on Friday, February 22 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and offers a wonderful introduction to the secrets of the modern
sommelier. The Festival also offers four all-inclusive wine seminar
packages at the Wine Spectator Wine Seminar Series each introduced by the magazine's editors Thomas Matthews and Bruce Sanderson, offering guests a comprehensive view of today's wine landscape. In between tastings guests will have the opportunity to sample tapas matched with wines compliments of Pernod Ricard USA in the Chill Lounge presented by The New York Times. Maximilian Riedel of Riedel Crystal, the glass company, will host an interesting seminar on the importance of great glassware - "Crystal Clear: Does the Glass Make a Difference?"
    There are a number of vertical tastings during the Festival. From
Pomerol, Christian Moueix, who oversees his family's 10 properties in
Pomerol as well as Napa Valley's Dominus Estate, will guide participants
through seven different vintages from seven different chateaux, including
the legendary Chateau Petrus. Moueix will also be the host for a tasting
tour of Napa's exceptional Dominus Estate wines. And on Sunday afternoon, there will be a very special tasting of six vintages of the iconic Opus One.
    Other eclectic opportunities to sip, sample and discuss take place
throughout the weekend. World wines and Latin cuisine make for a festive
session hosted by Master Sommelier Andrea Immer Robinson and chef Michelle
Bernstein.
    Wine knowledge is put to the test in "The Price is Right" -- an
interactive seminar, hosted by Josh Wesson, in which participants get to
assess their ability to judge the value of wines. For Festival attendees
who are curious to learn more about spirits, there are sessions suited for
every palate -- from a clinic with Tony Abou Ganim, the "Modern Mixologist"
who will offer tips on creating classic cocktails to a Patron seminar that
demystifies the ultra-premium tequila category. There are seminars on Jim
Beam, Maker's Mark, Gekkeikan sake and Grand Marnier -- even one on old-fashioned drinks from the heyday of cocktails -- Oldies but Goodies -- which includes demos of classics such as the Ramos Fizz, the Blue Blazer and other heralded libations of yesteryear.
    For more information on the Festival or to purchase tickets, visit
http://www.sobewineandfoodfest.com or call 1-877-762-3933.
    Hosted by Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida and Florida International
University (FIU), the Festival benefits the Teaching Restaurant and the
Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center, both located at FIU's School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Fun & Fit as a Family receives significant support from The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and is funded in part by Health Foundation of South Florida and The Children's
Trust, a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to
improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.
    The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine magazine is produced by Florida International University and Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida with the support of the Miami Beach Visitors & Convention Authority and the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information about Florida International University visit http://www.fiu.edu, for the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management visit http://www.hospitality.fiu.edu and for more information about Southern Wine & Spirits visit http://www.southernwine.com.