UNLVino tastings kick off tomorrow
For 34 years, UNLVino has been the Las Vegas event that brings you the most varieties of wine, the most education and the most fun -- all while raising funds for scholarship. There will be new and delicious surprises when events kick off Thursday: live music, exhibitors with leisure lifestyle items and savory appetizers prepared by the culinary students of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada has sponsored this major fundraiser benefiting the students of the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration since 1974. It was the brainchild of Larry Ruvo, senior managing director of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, and Dr. Jerry Vallen, founding dean of the hotel college. The businessman wanted to educate more people about wine; the educator needed funds for the fledgling college.
To date, UNLVino has raised millions of dollars, making this one of the largest endowments for scholarship. The proceeds benefit students who will go on to become leaders in the hotel administration and food and beverage industries -- not just in Las Vegas but worldwide.
UNLVino has grown from a small, single-day tasting in the distributor's warehouse, to three days of events: a Champagne and sparkling wine tasting on Thursday, a tasting of wines from the Southern Hemisphere on Friday and the Grand Tasting event on Saturday. At the 2007 UNLVino Grand Tasting held at Paris Las Vegas, 7,000 connoisseurs and novices enjoyed 1,100 wines from more than 350 wineries at America's largest single-day wine tasting.
What's more, UNLVino is going "green" with an effort to become environmentally responsible. This year's host venues -- Hard Rock Hotel, The District at Green Valley Ranch and Paris Las Vegas -- and event sponsors will support a recycling program of products used at these events.
BUBBLE-LICIOUS
UNLVino's first event, Bubble-Licious, will sparkle and rock with excitement Thursday from 7-10 p.m. at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel. With more 60 Champagnes and sparkling wines, this is the most bubbly you will find in one room.
UNLV students will honor Rossi Ralenkotter, the president and chief executive officer of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, and the 2005 UNLV Alumni of the Year. While Ralenkotter has received many awards honoring his work for the city, chances are he has never seen anything as spectacular as the Dom Perignon "21" Cork Salute.
Elegant appetizers and live jazz will round out the event. Tickets are $100.
AUSS-SOME AND THEN SOME!
UNLVino brings you, Auss-Some and Then Some!, featuring the most exciting new wines from vineyards below the equator on Friday from 7-10 p.m. at The District at Green Valley Ranch. Attendees will discover great wines from exotic locations as they sip vintages from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Chile. Even the water is from Fiji.
Delicacies will be prepared by local restaurants, and live jazz will complement the wine and festivities. Tickets are $75.
UNLVINO GRAND TASTING
The UNLVino Grand Tasting is one of America's largest and Nevada's oldest wine tastings. Wine enthusiasts and wine experts from all over the world meet to enjoy the latest offerings. The event will be held from 2-5:30 p.m. Saturday in the Paris Las Vegas Ballroom.
Attendees will not want to miss the spirited wine-themed silent and live auction of art, trips, dining, rounds of golf at exclusive clubs, collectibles and rare vintage wines. Artists, winemakers and suppliers have generously donated these unique items in support of education. The live auction starts at 3 p.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m.
Tickets for the Grand Tasting are $100 in advance, $125 at the door.
For more information about UNLVino events, call 895-1330 or 876-4500 or log onto www.unlvino.com. Tickets are available at www.UNLVtickets.com or by calling 739-FANS (3267).
