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In this issue:

Société Mondiale du Vin National Meeting & Young Sommelier Finals!!

Donors needed!

Mondiale Needs To Know!

October 11 – 14, 2007

by: Jane Tracy- Bailli de Chicago

Click here for registration:
http://www.chaineus.org/Mondiale%20National%202007%20Package%20For%20Web%20ver%206.11.pdf

The annual Société Mondiale du Vin National Convention will take place in stunning Monterey, CA.  This is a not-to-be-missed port of call, offering three days of exquisite cuisine with locally grown foods harvested from the Californian fields and respectfully prepared by excellent chefs.   Area wineries will give you the opportunity to savor first class wines and the many aspects of this region, and the weekend will traditionally culminate with the Grand Awards Dinner honoring the Best Young Sommeliers of the U.S.A. 

The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa will be this year’s headquarters for this national meeting.  Please visit the website to explore this Mediterranean style property and location.  www.montereyplazahotel.com

Thursday  October 11

The festivities will begin on Thursday evening with the traditional B.Y.O.B. Auction dinner at the Sardine Factory which is owned by Conseiller des Professionels Honoraire Bert Cutino, and Bailli Honoraire Ted Balestreri.   Those who have attended events at the Sardine Factory know the gastronomic landscape that lies before us.  BRING THE MOST EXCELLENT WINES FROM YOUR CELLAR TO SHARE WITH FELLOW FUN-LOVING MONDIALE MEMBERS!  This is camaraderie at its very best. 

Friday  October 12

Friday will be a very full day and Mondiale members will have a choice of two luncheon venues both of which represent the premiere restaurants in Monterey County and their world-class cuisines:

Marinus at Bernardus Lodge & Winery featuring the contemporary culinary philosophy of renowned Chef Cal Stamenov. Local organic, seasonal produce as well as regional seafood and artisan farmed meats are tempting menu features. Its wine cellar has garnered prestigious awards housing over 28,000 premium bottles. Bernardus Winery is the leading producer in Monterey County and each course will be paired with a Bernardus wine. Garden and mountain views complete the idyll.

Highlands Inn Park Hyatt and Executive Chef Mark Ayres both understand our expectations at this magnificent, secluded property overlooking the rugged Carmel Highlands “high above it all” and deep in California’s wooded coast. This property was the original home of the Masters of Food and Wine.

On Friday evening the Gala Induction Dinner will take place the family owned winery and vineyard of Chateau Julien at the foot of the Carmel Valley mountains.  http://www.chateaujulien.com/  

Please join in to welcome our 2007 Young sommelier finalists as they are inducted into the Chaîne and Société Mondiale du Vin this evening.

Starting at 12 noon and lasting until early afternoon, wineries and food purveyors throughout California will feature their wares at this popular “Taste of Wine Country” event in the Monterey Plaza Hotel.

The Young Sommelier Competition will occur during the day; unfortunately, no observers will be allowed.  The format of the competition will be based on the Advanced Sommelier Exam conducted by the Court of Master Sommeliers. The format will feature three areas of examination. These areas are Theory, Practical and Blind Tasting. Details can be found at http://www.chaineus.org/sommelier_competition

This memorable weekend will conclude with the Gala Dinner at the Monterey Plaza Hotel dining room and  Chef James Waller’s culinary wisdom.   Excellent wines will be supplied by the Mendocino County exclusive Coro Wine Grower’s Association. This association, merely four years old, comprises the top wineries in Mendocino County and belonging to it requires serious credentials.  The Association produces its own blends of Zinfandel. Several different Zinfandels will be poured along with appropriate whites and dessert wines.    The Awards ceremony for the Best Young Sommelier Competition will take place during this Gala evening and our wondrous, young talent from around the country will be put pertinently on show.

Société Mondiale du Vin encourages the bons vivants and those possessing that certain joie de vivre, to focus, enjoy, study and appreciate fine wines and crafted beverages.

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR THE Société Mondiale du Vin AUCTION

Our 12 Young Sommelier contestants will be working hard during our Société Mondiale du Vin national convention.  They will undergo a grueling examination administered by the Court of Master Sommeliers.  It is a competition that is continuing to grow in recognition and stature throughout the USA and internationally. You have the opportunity to make an impact on these young people’s lives by donating to this worthy cause.  Please click on the link below and fill out the donation form that you will find on page 5.

Click here for donation form:
http://www.chaineus.org/Mondiale%20National%202007%20Package%20For%20Web%20ver%206.11.pdf