Cabernet Shootout Challenge: Wine Lovers Pit Their Palates Against the Pros

NAPA, Calif., Dec. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bay Area Wine Society, in partnership with Affairs of the Vine and The Winery SF, invites Cabernet enthusiasts to taste 32 of the top-rated wines from the 2011 Affairs of the Vine Cabernet Shootout and compare their findings to the judging panel at The Cabernet Shootout Challenge on Saturday, January 21, 2012.

For many wine drinkers, January is associated with a major tasting of Zinfandels. Now Cabernet enthusiasts can also indulge their passion at the beginning of the year in one of the most dramatic settings in the Bay Area - The Winery SF on Treasure Island. And enjoy the experience without the crowd crush of the mega-tastings. The event includes:

• A Consumers Choice blind tasting of Cabernets
• Winemaker panels discussing the unique characteristics of different Cabernet growing areas
• A walk-around tasting to discuss releases with the vintners who submitted wines for judging
• A raffle of Gold Medal-winning Cabernets from the Cabernet Shootout

Over the course of many weeks this past fall, a distinguished group of wine industry professionals assessed a broad range of Cabernet Sauvignons, Cabernet Francs and Cabernet blends and selected the best of the best at the Cabernet Shootout. These finalists can now be evaluated in a blind tasting by wine consumers participating in the Cabernet Shootout Challenge.

"This distinctly different format," noted Tom Merle, President of the Bay Area Wine Society, "provides a unique opportunity for people who buy the wine to challenge the tastes of the wine experts."  

Afterwards, a walk-around tasting, including Cabernet-friendly light hors d'oeuvre, will allow attendees to meet the participating vintners and taste their current releases. With the limit on ticket sales set at 250, the citizen judges will have plenty of opportunity to chat with the vintners.

In addition, the Cabernet Challenge will offer several concurrent panel sessions with winemakers prior to the blind tasting. Winemakers will discuss how this noble varietal is influenced by the terroir of different grape growing areas.

One Brick, a nonprofit organization, is providing volunteer assistance for the event and will also be raffling off Gold Medal-winning Cabernets from the Cabernet Shootout.

Ticket Prices:
$69 each 
$89 including a winemakers panel
N.B. An Early Bird 1/2 price special is running until the end of December.

More Information & Ticket Purchase Website: http://cabchallenge.eventbrite.com/

Venue Location: The Winery SF, 200 California Ave, Bldg 180 North, Treasure Island, San Francisco 94130

Date & Times:  
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Noon to 1:30 pm: Winemakers panels
1:30 - 4:30 pm: Cabernet Challenge Blind Tasting, walk-around tasting, and the awards ceremony

NOTE TO EDITORS: Additional information:
Cabernet Shootout Challenge
Bay Area Wine Society
Journalists may contact Tom Merle at [email protected] or 707.416.2191.

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Bay Area Wine Society