Wines of Chile: Experience the Evolution

B.R. Guest's Laura Maniec to Moderate Tasting of Chile's Wines Find out why sales of Chilean wine are on another consecutive year of growth

CHICAGO, May 22 -- Come experience the newest vintage from some of Chile's most innovative wine producers. Wines of Chile is hosting an exclusive wine-pairing luncheon and tasting for the media and wine trade at MK Restaurant on Tuesday, June 3, 2008. The luncheon will showcase acclaimed Chilean bottlings that hail from Chile's diverse wine regions, highlighting stellar examples of Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere and other emerging varieties.

In the US, Chile's wines have been growing in popularity over the past few years, posting gains since 2006. Presently in 2008 Chilean wine has increased by 15 percent in case volume and 24 percent in value, reaching towards record sales levels.

Laura Maniec, Wine & Spirits Director of B.R. Guest Restaurants, will conduct a seated wine-pairing luncheon exploring the food-friendly characteristics of Chile's wines. A walk around tasting featuring wines from nine producers will precede the luncheon.

"With the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes Mountains to the east, Chile is an isolated country -- and in a class all of its own," said Maniec. "It has emerged as one of the most exciting new regions in the New World, and the range of wines it has to offer seems effortless with any meal."

WHEN: Tuesday June 3, 2008

Walk Around Tasting: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Wine-pairing Luncheon with Laura Maniec: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

WHO: Laura Maniec, Wine & Spirits Director, B.R. Guest Restaurants

Participating wineries:

Aresti Wine of Chile
Carolina Wine Brands
Casa Silva
Cono Sur
Santa Rita
Vina Concha y Toro S.A.
Vina Los Vascos
Vina Valdivieso
Vina Ventisquero

WHERE: MK Restaurant
868 N Franklin
Chicago, IL 60610

HOW: Media should RSVP to 866.461.WINE or info@winesofchileusa.com.
Space is limited.

About Laura Maniec

Laura is the Director of Wine and Spirits for B.R. Guest Restaurants and the James Hotel Group. She is responsible for overseeing and executing the training of 2,000 employees at 15 restaurants and several hotels across the country. Armed with a degree in hotel and restaurant management, Maniec went on to work at Ruby Foo's Times Square as bar manager in 2000, where B.R. Guest president Stephen Hanson recognized her wine expertise and encouraged her to become a sommelier. It was then that she was named sommelier at Blue Fin, a 400-seat seafood restaurant in the heart of Times Square. As a member of the opening team for all new properties, Maniec helped develop the wine program and training at FiAMMA Trattoria at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Vento Trattoria, Blue Water Grill in Chicago, and Barca 18, B.R. Guest's first Spanish concept with consulting chef Eric Ripert. She also created and implemented the beverage program for both James Hotel Scottsdale and its restaurant, FiAMMA Trattoria as well as the James Hotel in Chicago and its steakhouse managed by celebrity chef David Burke.

About Wines of Chile

Wines of Chile is a marketing organization representing seventy-seven Chilean wineries with offices in Santiago, Dublin, London, New York, and Washington, D.C. Wines of Chile was founded in July of 2002 to promote Chilean wine around the world through strategic marketing and promotional activities. For more information please visit www.winesofchile.org.

Rob Bralow
212-994-7620
robert.Bralow@rfbinder.com

PRNewswire -- May 22
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Source: Wines of Chile

Web site: http://www.winesofchile.org/

2008-05-22 18:08:40 0369370 PRNEWSWIRE