 SAN ANTONIO NEW WORLD
WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
A Dozen Reasons To Attend!
By DEBI PFITZENMAIER
From the varietal character of the newest grapes to the
delightful harmony between well-paired food and wine,
here is a highly opinionated, and somewhat unconventional, list
of 12 reasons to participate in San Antonio’s well-known wine
and food festival.
Sweet smelling. The annual winery lunch at Becker
Vineyards in November is infused with the elegant smell of the
lavender fields that grace the estate, reminding us of Provence,
France. This is aromatherapy at its best.
British accents. Bruce Auden, born in North London, participates
every year in the festival. His Biga on the Banks was
named one of the top five restaurants in Texas by Gourmet
magazine.
Spanish passion. Every year, the festival highlights a new
country. Last year it was Spain,when we got to see the famous
expert on ham slicing. OK — it really is an art in Spain. This year
it’s Argentina. And the hot word is Malbec — the Argentinean
grape with a phenomenal attack.
Pure indulgence. It’s once a year when five days of complete
indulgence in gourmet food and amazing wine is not only
OK, it’s encouraged.
Toques. How often do you get to use words like “toque” and
not be laughed out of a room? There are several theories as to
why chefs started wearing the tall, pleated hats known as
toques, but there is some consensus on the idea that, at least at
some point in time, the height of the toque represented rank.
The taller the hat, the higher the rank.
Fascinating stories. French chef Damien Watel — of San
Antonio’s Bistro Vatel, Ciao Lavanderia and La Frite Belgian
Bistro — is descended from the famous master steward (for Louis
XIV) Francois Vatel,who was played by actor Gerard Depardieu
opposite Uma Thurman in the movie Vatel.
Names we recognize. This year’s festival hosts Michael
Mondavi,who co-founded the Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa
Valley with his father.
Good causes. The festival always benefits local organizations,
including Child Advocates of San Antonio and the Center
for Foods of the Americas.
Something for families. Even though you have to be 21 to
attend the events, there is an exception. Kids are welcomed at
Rio Cibolo Ranch’s Totally Tejas. Yes, there’s wine and food, but
also lots of hands-on demonstrations,crafts,hayrides, river barge
rides and story telling.
Seduce me. If Moët elaborates the world’s favorite champagnes
and Hennessy inspires the most excellent cognac, imagine
what they can do with a martini.At the Cultural Cocktail Event
at The Vault, Bon Appetit and expert mixologists shake, muddle
and pour during this elegant new twist on the old happy hour.
Water. It wouldn’t be San Antonio if it didn’t include the River
Walk. We love the Texas Winemaker Cruises, floating along the
river, munching on hors d’oeuvres and desserts and, of course,
indulging in Texas’ best wines.
Learning something new. Just about everything with the
festival includes the chance to learn more than we knew
before. From wine seminars to one-on-one with the chefs, it
seems like we were constantly surrounded by great company
and good conversation.
THE 2007 SCHEDULE
SAN ANTONIO NEW WORLD WINE
& FOOD FESTIVAL
Wednesday, Nov. 7
Texas Vintner Cruises
Hyatt Hotel, starting at 6 p.m.
$50 per person; $55 at the door (subject to availability)
A Wine Voyage with Michael Mondavi
Fleming's Steakhouse, 6 p.m.
$60 per person; $65 at the door (subject to availability)
John Jordan Vertical
The Grille at Westin La Cantera, 7 p.m.
$60 per person; $65 at the door (subject to availability)
Thursday, Nov. 8
Winemaker Dinners, 7 p.m.
Biga on the Banks, Bistro Vatel, Boudro's on the River Walk, Café
Paladar, Francesca's at Sunset,Le Rêve,The Lodge Restaurant of
Castle Hills, Café Mariposa at Neiman Marcus, 20nine
Restaurant & Bar,The Grill at Leon Springs and Silo on Loop 1604. Price varies. Reservations placed directly
with restaurants.
Friday, Nov. 9
Winery Lunch
Becker Vineyards in Fredericksburg, noon
$60 per person
The Cultural Cocktail Event
The Vault, 6 p.m.
$75 per person; $95 at the door
(subject to availability)
The Black Tie
Omni La Mansión del Rio, 7 p.m.
$200 per person, advance sales only
Saturday, Nov. 10
Vintage Texas
City Club at the Majestic, 9:30 a.m.
$50 (subject to availability)
Morning of Malbec
City Club at the Majestic, 10:45 a.m.
$50 (subject to availability)
The Sensuous Flavors of Argentina
Omni La Mansión del Rio, 11 a.m.
$50 per person; $60 at the door
(subject to availability)
Winemaker Lunches
Azuca, Fig Tree, La Frite and Silo on Austin
Highway; 1 p.m.
$60 per person, advance sales only
Afternoon on the Estancia
The Watermark Hotel, 3 p.m.
$50 per person; $60 at the door
(subject to availability)
New World Grand Tasting
The Lodge Restaurant of Castle Hills, 7 p.m.
$75 per person; $90 at the door
(subject to availability)
Sunday, Nov. 11
Totally Tejas
Rio Cibolo Ranch, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
$40 per person; $50 at the door
Under 21, $10; under 5, free
WHO’S WHO
Chefs
• Bruce Auden, Biga on the Banks
• Jeffrey Balfour, Citrus
• Charles Bartsch, St. Anthony Hotel
• Shane Bruns,Oro, Emily Morgan Hotel
• Marcel Chene, Fig Tree
• Scott Cohen, Las Canarias,
Omni La Mansion del Rio/Pesca,
The Watermark Hotel
• Jason Dady, Bin 555/The Lodge at
Castle Hills
• Jonathan Demeterio,
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
• Ernesto Estrada, Francesca's at Sunset,
The Westin La Cantera
• Michael H. Flores, Mis En Place
• Moe Lazri, Fig Tree
• Eduard Peyer, Chaps Restaurant -
Hyatt Regency Hotel
• Juan Rangel, Boudro's on the River Walk
• Damien Watel, Bistro Vatel/Ciao
Lavanderia/La Frite Belgian Bistro
• Andrew Weissman, Le Rêve
• Brian West, Café Paladar
• Johnny Hernandes, True Flavors
• Diana Barrios Trevino, Los Barrios/La Hacienda de Los Barrios
• Lisa Wong, Ácenar
Luminaries
• Richard & Bunny Becker,
Becker Vineyards
• Valentín Eduardo Bianchi,
VALENTÍN BIANCHI S.A.
• Juan Carlos, Navarro Correas
• Heather John, Bon Appétit magazine
• Steven Krueger, sommelier,
Westin La Cantera
• Julio Lasmartres, Terrazas De Los Andes
• Michael Mondavi,
Folio Fine Wine Partners
• John Jordan, Jordan Winery
• Colme, Argentina
• Gustavo Arroyat, Trapiche
• Kaiken
• Pascual Toso
• Bodega Norton |
