Events

The FIRST Independent  Champagne and Sparkling Wine Invitational

New Orleans, April 15 - 18, 2010

 

 

Program of Events

ARRIVAL DAY

Thursday, April 15th, 2010 Attendees Arrival & Registration 3:00 pm- 9:00 pm event: Guest Event Registration location: Hotel & Convention Center 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm event: Welcome Cocktail / Reception with the Board of Advisors people: VIP Grand Cru ticket holders location: Courtyard (TBD)

DAY ONE EVENTS

Friday, April 16th, 2010 morning/day afternoon/evening late night 9:00 am- 10:00 am event: Industry only seminar people: Pro Only location: Convention Center 10:30 am- 12:00 pm event: Public seminars people: Premier Cru and VIP Grand Cru ticket holders location: Convention Center 10:00 am- 12:00 pm event: tasting set up people: sommeliers & producers location: Convention Center 12:00 pm- 1:00 pm event: Lunch on your own location: Your choice 1:30 pm- 5:00 pm event: Grand tasting people: All ticket holders location: Convention Center 1:30 pm- 5:00 pm event: Public seminars people: Premier Cru and VIP Grand Cru ticket holders location: Convention Center 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm event: Winemakers Dinners location: Hotels and Restaurants 11:00 pm- 1:00 am event: Bubbles and Blues on Bourbon Street people: Premier Cru and VIP Grand Cru ticket holders location: Astor Hotel back to top ^

DAY TWO EVENTS

Saturday, April 17th, 2010 morning/day afternoon/evening   9:00 am- 10:00 am event: Industry only seminar people: Pro only location: Convention Center 10:30 am- 12:00 pm event: Public seminars people: Premier Cru and VIP Grand Cru ticket holders location: Convention Center 10:00 am- 12:00 pm event: tasting set up people: sommeliers & producers location: Convention Center 12:00 pm- 1:00 pm event: Lunch on your own location: Your choice 1:30 pm- 5:00 pm event: Grand tasting people: All ticket holders location: Convention Center 1:30 pm- 5:00 pm event: Public seminars people: Premier Cru and VIP Grand Cru ticket holders location: Convention Center 7:00 pm- 10:00 pm event: The Bubbly Block Party on Rue Royal people: Premier Cru and VIP Grand Cru ticket holders location: Royal St.   back to top ^

DAY THREE

Sunday, April 18th, 2010 10:00 am- 1:00 pm event: Farewell Brunch people: VIP Grand Cru ticket holders location: Convention Center

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ICSWI Seminars

Pro Seminars to be held 1st thing in the am on tasting days:

Making sense of champagne

This seminar will cover methods, varietals, Terroir, Grandes Marques & small growers.

Flight 1: Blanc de Blancs, 5 wines: one from 3 main regions, 1 Grande Marque, 1 Blend for comparison Grande Marques.

Flight 2: Brut blends – the art, science and history of assemblage.
The 4 main regions of Champagne, plus 1 Grande Marque and 1 Blanc de Blancs (for comparison).

Flight 3: Blanc de Noir: 1 from each regions, 1 Grande Marque, 1 Blend for comparison Grande Marques.

Flight 4: Vintage and Tetes de cuvée: 2 vintages & 2 Tetes de cuvées

Flight 5: Rosé de Saignée versus Rosé d’Assemblage in 4 wines.

Successful Business Strategies - discussion

How to drive business and integrate the category, both on and off premise

How a balanced approach can be both viable and profitable

Growing the sparkling category overall into a year-round volume-driver

Fun strategies to engage your customers

Consumer Seminars (event days mid to late morning)

Tour du Monde: Sparkling wines of the world

New world and old world examples with different production methods, grape varieties, terroirs, and historical precedents provide a diverse sparkling world waiting to be discovered.

Making Sense of Champagne “What’s behind the Label” Beyond branding, or how to decode the language of Champagne.

Consumer comparisons of Non-dosé, NV Brut: Blanc de Blancs, Vintage, Rosé and Tete de Cuvée (presented in progressive pairs for individuals to vote on which is which) A unique, guided comparative experience that will build your knowledge of the many types and styles of Champagne.

The Loire Valley Sparkling wines “focus on the Loire valley”

Explore the treasure-trove of sparking wines produced throughout this large and diverse region. From dry to sweet, white to rosé, Chenin to Cabernet Franc and more – these are some of the most enjoyable and affordable sparklers in the world.

Vintage Champagne (panel discussing the various great vintages and why they were chosen as such) (Grande Marques and small growers)

A unique exploration of the role of vintage, the celebration of singular harvest conditions, and the glories of mature Champagnes over time. While relatively rare, a sufficiently complete vintage in this northernmost region is worthy of recognition. How do vintage and non-vintage cuvées relate to each other?

Consumer Seminars and talks (during the Grand Tasting)

Mixology 101

How bubbles can add zest to new and old cocktails.

Riedel Glassware Seminar: “why the glass counts”

Author talks and book signings – surveying the wealth of reference materials related to sparkling wines.

Meet the press

readers meet writers discussing their craft.

Pre-event sommelier seminar

Champagne etiquette + Riedel glassware

this seminar will cover all aspects of champagne service and a talk about glassware.

 

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Event Information

Bubbles and Blues on Bourbon Street

Enjoy authentic New Orleans blues and jazz on Bourbon Street with hundreds of your closest new friends. This is taking place in the French Quarter, at the Astor Crowne Plaza Ballroom which overlooks the fabled Bourbon Street. Grab beads and a Mardi Gras mask, put on your dancing shoes, and lets party the night away with Champagne and Sparkling Wines.

The Bubbly Block Party on Rue Royal

The incredible city of New Orleans is rolling out the red carpet and closing down Royal Street for a grand street party for ICSWI! Royal Street, in the French Quarter, is a picturesque avenue with wonderful antique and jewelry shops and home to Cafe Du Monde's famous beingets. Various Sommeliers and Mixologists will create signature drinks for your enjoyment, vote for your favorite drink while you stroll, shop, and enjoy the music.

Winemaker Dinners

New Orleans is a culinary mecca and a city well known for its cuisine. The ICSWI Winemaker Dinners offers you an intimate opportunity to enjoy Sparkling and Still Wines with participating winemakers paired with amazing regional and nationally known Chefs. Join us as we enjoy full course meals at some of New Orleans most admired restaurants and hotels, or sign-up for the "Bubbles and Bar-b-que featuring some of the country's top pit masters from Memphis to Texas, or reserve your seat for an outdoor jazz dinner beneath the stars. Limited seating available, reserve your seat today!

 

http://www.icswi2010.com/

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