Tempranillos al Mundo Debuts in New York City

NEW YORK, Oct. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time ever, the annual Tempranillos al Mundo international wine competition will debut in the United States. Founded by the Spanish Federation of Associations of Oenologists (FEAE), the seventh annual event will take place November 14-16 in New York City, hosted by Kevin Zraly, the world-renowned wine educator. Winner of this year's James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, Zraly recently celebrated the 35th anniversary as founder and teacher of Windows on the World Wine School. More than 20,000 students have completed the course.

"We are thrilled to have Kevin Zraly onboard as the master of ceremonies," said Antonio Palacios, President of the FEAE. "His remarkable contributions to the wine world speak to his passionate commitment to wine knowledge and education."

Judged by an expert panel of 25 acclaimed wine sommeliers, winemakers and influential wine media, more than 500 Tempranillo submissions from around the world will be tasted during the first two days of the event at the New York Marriott Marquis. The competition will conclude on November 16 with a press conference to announce and taste the winning wines, and discuss the future of Tempranillo, followed by a gala dinner in the late evening.

"In teaching, I emphasize how Tempranillo produces some of the world's most versatile and food-friendly wines," said Zraly.  "I am incredibly honored to host this prestigious event and bring this varietal on the rise to the forefront."

The 6th most widely planted grape in the world, Tempranillo is a black grape that makes medium to full-bodied red wines. The varietal is native to the Iberian Peninsula and carries numerous names, however is universally known as Tempranillo. Of all famous wine producing regions, Rioja is acknowledged for bringing international recognition to the varietal. Tempranillo is also grown in other Spanish wine regions and in Portugal, Mexico, New Zealand, Italy, Greece, South America, the U.S., South Africa, Australia, Turkey, Morocco and Canada. The wines are characterized by ruby red color, with aromas and flavors of berries, tobacco, vanilla, leather and herbs.

Competition partner Tempranillo Advocates, Producers and Amigos Society (TAPAS) is a nonprofit trade association of over one hundred wineries and growers, whose mission is to promote Tempranillo and other varietal wine grapes native to the Iberian Peninsula, and wines produced from them in North America. Among the Tempranillos al Mundo sponsors include Vibrant Rioja, Gobierno de La Rioja, La Rioja Capital, Wines from Spain, and RIEDEL. Previous competitions have taken place in Logrono, Spain, Copenhagen, Cologne, Shanghai, Paris and Stockholm.

For more information about Tempranillos al Mundo and rules for entering the competition, please visit www.enologo.com/tempranillo.

About Tempranillos al Mundo

Tempranillo al Mundo's mission is to showcase the diversity and richness of Tempranillo; to encourage quality and improve tasters' knowledge of the varietal; and to award producers and oenologists. Tempranillo al Mundo follows the regulations of the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) and the International Union of Enologists (UIOE). For more information about FEAE, please visit www.enologo.com.

Press Contact
Cassandra Bianco
[email protected]
(646) 218-6009

SOURCE Tempranillos al Mundo