MEMBERS MEMOS

Pat Savoie has just been appointed Associate Editor of Celebrity Chef Tour magazine, a twice yearly publication of the James Beard House that supports the JBH Celebrity Chef Tour. The Tour goes to 16 cities in the US, where a dinner is held in the Spring and Fall. One of ten top chefs who have won Beard Awards cooks at each of the dinners.

TASTINGS

Sun 1st-Tues 3rd: 10am-5pm Press & Trade. International Restaurant & Foodservice Show- Javits Convention Center.  Reed Expo runs the show: 888-334-8705 or  www.internationalrestaurantny.com . The New York Wine Expo finishes on Sunday March 1st (Press day) so you can go to both shows that day. For NYWE contact: Karen Pineman 212-725-4500-X311 or kpineman@schwartz.com . They will give you a press pass.

Tues 3rd: 11am-5pm. Baron Francois Tasting. 5 Ninth Restaurant (Ninth Ave @ Gansevoort St).  No other info available.

Tues 3rd: Noon-4pm. Martin Scott/Ole Imports Tasting. The Benjamin Hotel (125 East 50th Street) RSVP: Tracy Striano- 516-327-0808 X211.

Wed 4th: 11:30am-2:00pm. Wine Media Guild Portuguese Native Grapes. Felidia restaurant. Still places open. RSVP: psavoie@nyc.rr.com .

Thurs 5th: 5-8:30pm. Vinho Verde walk around tasting. 5pm- Guided tasted by Robin Kelley O’Connor. Astor Center. (399 Lafayette Street) RSVP: vinhoverde@dunnrobinsgroup.com .

Thur 5th: 7:30pm.  Invitation to a film opening and VIP party at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center (65th & Broadway), celebrating French film and Longboard Vineyard’s wines.  The festivities include a screening of the film “Paris 36″ and discussion with the director prior to the film, a director’s Q&A after the film, and then a Longboard-sponsored gala. They have extended the invitation to the first 10 WMG members who RSVP: Jeffrey Grava. Jeffrey@longboardvineyards.com .

Fri 6th: Noon. Press. Gambero Rosso & Slow Food tasting. Metropolitan Pavilion (125 West 18th St) 

Saturday 7th: Daniel Johnnes’ La Paulee

Mon 9th-Thurs 12th: Taste Napa Valley NY. Series of events with 100 vintners spread out all over the city. Mon 9th: 1-5pm. Metropolitan Pavillion. (125 West 18th Street). RSVP: Michael Gitter- 212-867-5581 or Michael@firstpresspr.com  or register online at www.napavintners.com .

Tues 10th-Fri 13th: Wineries Unlimited 2009. Valley Forge Convention Center, King of Prussia, PA. Not sure what the policy is re press comps. Call 866-483-0164 or www.wineriesunlimited.com .

Tues 10th: 11am-Noon. Press Preview.  Noon-5PM. Press & Trade. Today’s Bordeaux. 100 Affordable Wines & Barrel Tasting of 2008 vintage. Tribeca Rooftop (2 Desbrosses St- corner of Hudson St). RSVP: eventsUSA@spoexa.com or 212-386-7436.

Fri 13th-Sun 15th:  USA NJ Food & Wine Festival. Crystal Springs Resort & Moet Hennessy . I spoke to the PR person & WMG members can contact her for free admission to the Saturday night Grand Tasting, 6-10pm (ONLY THAT EVENT). The resort has a Wine Spectator Grand Award for its Restaurant Latour. Member John Foy was a consultant for the restaurant. The resort is in Hamburg, NJ.  RSVP: Natasha Wright- nwright@resortsofcrystalsprings.com  or 973-823-6678. MENTION Ron Kapon.

Wed 18th: 2:00-4:00pm. Germany’s Pinot Trio. Wines of Germany. Tasting of Pinot Noir, Blanc and Gris. The London NYC, Green Room 2nd floor (151 West 54th St).  RSVP: 212-994-7523 or germanpinot@rfbinder.com

Wed 18th:  Noon-5pm  The New Values of Spanish Wine. The Powerhouse @ Museum of Natural History (Columbus Ave & 79th Street). RSVP: Gregory White- 718-403-0097 or RSVP@gregorywhitepr.com
Mon 23rd: TIME??  VOS Portfolio tasting.  City Winery (155 Varick Street) RSVP: Victor Schwartz- 212-967-6948

Wed 25th: 6-10pm. Wine & Wishes.  Charmer Sunbelt Group Make-A-Wish Foundation charity event.  Not sure if they will comp writers.  Call (212) 957-WISH for info.