The Beverly Hilton, 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, California

HONORING

Insomniac Games, Inc.
2012 Heart of Gold Award

Keith Wetmore, on behalf of Morrison & Foerster, LLP
2012 Jacki Carlish Humanitarian Award

Stephen Davis, on behalf of Hasbro Studios
2012 Best in Family Award

ENTERTAINMENT

Jeff Leibow, star from the cast of Jersey Boys

Special Performance by Dave Koz

Alex Guarachi of TGIC Wines & Guarachi Family Wines on The Wine Down EP32 from TheLip.tv on Vimeo.

The Grand Tasting will be held at the contemporary and renowned Metropolitan Pavilion, located in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. Chelsea, the cultural heart of NYC, is known city-wide for its energetic nightlife and countless restaurants.

More details to come as the date draws nearer!

Read Costco’s Wine Buyer Doesn’t Think Wine is Different than Toilet Paper to view the full video.

Listen to Alex discuss his journey From Chile to California on GrapeRadio.

Michael Cordúa
Amazón Grill, Houston; Américas, Houston and The Woodlands, TX; Artista, Houston; and Churrascos, Houston and Sugar Land, TX

David Cordúa
Amazón Grill, Houston; Américas, Houston and The Woodlands, TX; Artista, Houston; and Churrascos, Houston and Sugar Land, TX

Over the past two decades, self-taught chef, restaurateur and JBF nominee Michael Cordúa has maintained a reputation for excellence at his Houston-area family of Latin restaurants, which recently welcomed a new member to its ranks: his equally talented son, David.

MENU

• Hors d’Oeuvre
  • Tiritas de Calamar > Potato-Crusted Calamari with Huancaína Sauce, Queso Fresco, and Micro-Cilantro
  • Caramañolas > Yuca Turnovers with Chorizo, Black Beans, and Creamy Cilantro Sauce
  • Taconcitos de Atun > Ahi Tuna with Corn Tortilla Cornets, Avocado Mousse, and Toasted Sesame Seeds
  • Angel Wings > Frenched Chicken Wings with Habanero-Infused Raw Honey
  • Anticuchos de Borrego > Smoked Lamb Chops with Aji Panca Glaze
  • Pascual Toso Brut NV
  • Montes Alpha Pinot Noir 2009

• Dinner
  • The Rosespud > Fried Taro with Cabrales Blue Cheese Sauce, Chimichurri, and Roasted Tomato Salsa
  • Chancho con Yuca > Sous Vide Pork with Yuca, Pickled Cabbage, and Chicharrónes
  • Dark and Stormy Cocktail with Flor de Caña Grand Reserve 7-Year-Aged Rum
  • Salmon con Ceviche Caliente > Pan-Seared Salmon and Yellowtail Ceviche with Habanero Beurre Blanc, Tomatoes, Red Onions, and Charred Tortilla
  • Montes Alpha Special Cuvée Chardonnay 2009
  • Black Bean Gumbo with Bacon-Wrapped Quail, Okra Croutons, and Shrimp Bouillon Foam
  • Faustino V Reserva Rioja 2005
  • Churrasco > Pan-Seared Beef Tenderloin with Chimichurri, Quick-Pickled Grape Tomatoes, and Tortilla-Crusted Avocado
  • Doña Paula Selección de Bodega Malbec 2007
  • Assorted Signature Tastes > Tres Leches, Chocolate and Dulce de Leche Alfajores, Sweet Corn Flan, and Pio X
  • Taylor Fladgate 10-Year-Aged Tawny Porto NV

Map The Beard House

WHERE: Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City

WHEN: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

COST: $100 per person (all inclusive)

CALL: 813-248-4961 or EMAIL colybor@columbiarestaurant.com

Dinner and wines paired by Columbia’s Corporate Chef Geraldo Bayona and 4th Generation of the Columbia Richard Gonzmart

Note: Reservations are required.

For example, we often have wineries who seek us out because they want representation in the market. In this instance, my team and I look at everything: packaging, price and quality. We ask ourselves–does the wine over-deliver to the customers? The ratio of the quality to the price is very important. If we are interested in a particular region, that area takes priority over other submissions. The opposite is true as well. We have recently been inundated with requests from Spanish wineries; however, we currently have two fine wineries from Spain so we are not interested in any Spanish wine at this time. As we taste, we look at the price. We especially like wines that taste like they should cost $30 but actually cost less.

Recently, Paul Hobbs, Julian Gonzales and I conducted a tasting of 2011 Guarachi Family Wines baby wines, which is the process of tasting wines about two to three months after the grapes have been harvested. At this early point in their development, the wines show what they will be like, and a professional can see the potential of the vintage. We ask ourselves are the wines up to par? Do they have the color, structure, tannins, acid and fruit? They need all of these components. Despite doing these early tastings, it can still be difficult to determine with 100 percent certainty how the wines will be upon release. Baby wine tastings can be quite exciting and challenging!

When we receive new releases of wines in our current portfolio, we always taste them before sending them out to be reviewed. We automatically compare the new vintage to the previous ones. We ask ourselves is the new release fantastic? If so, should we order more? Should we do a special promotion? A new vintage with a wonderful taste almost guarantees good acceptance by the trade. We can often do a presale based on the wine’s description. We buy more of a great vintage so we don’t run out of stock, but figuring out the right amount to buy can be complicated. In the past, we have run out of Montes Reserve Cabernet and Norton Reserve Malbec. If a $20 bottle of wine gets a 92-point score or a $12 bottle receives a 90-point score, then you will run out of wine. Unfortunately, the scores often come out many months after we put in our orders.

Whether we are tastings new wines, baby wines or new vintages, the process of tasting wines in our office is fun, challenging and unpredictable. It’s not the easiest part of my job, but it’s not the worst part either.

— Alex Guarachi

WHEN: Thursday, April 19 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Westfield Promenade, 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91367

Over 1,000 connoisseurs from all over the Valley will gather to experience the ultimate in dining indulgence from local restaurants, wineries and microbreweries. Enjoy the evening in our beautiful 20,000 square-foot Garden Venue. All tastings included in price of ticket. Attendees must be 21 years of age to enter. No strollers. Net Proceeds will benefit the Valley Cultural Center.

Purchase tickets at www.valleycultural.org or call 818-704-1358.

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