Independent Champagne & Sparkling Wine Invitational Convenes in New Orleans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2010

Independent Champagne & Sparkling Wine Invitational Convenes in
New Orleans April 16-18, 2010
ICSWI teams up with local restaurants to offer attendees amazing full course meals paired with sparkling wines

WHAT: Independent Champagne & Sparkling Wine Invitational (ICSWI)

WHERE: New Orleans Morial Convention Center (NOMCC), La Louisiane Ballroom and Hall A

WHEN: April 16-18, 2010

DETAILS:
The first ever ICSWI will take place in New Orleans, April 16-18, 2010, at the NOMCC. Designed to be an unforgettable three days of extravagance, education and fun, ICSWI will educate consumers and trade professionals about independent global producers who are making exceptional, hand-crafted products in the independent spirit. Nurturing the sparkling wine lover, attendees will be exposed to more than 150 independent growers and producers, 50 top sommeliers and more than a dozen leading national chefs.

The ICSWI Winemakers Dinner will offer attendees an intimate opportunity to enjoy a full course meal paired with sparkling wines at different restaurants around the New Orleans area. Participating restaurants include:

• Bayona: “Club Trésors de Champagne" Dinner
• Calcasieu by Cochon: “Italian Sparklings” Dinner
• Galatoire’s: “Rose Only” Dinner
• Gautreau’s: “Global Tour of the Top 10 Sparkling Wines” Dinner
• Herbsaint: “Blanc de Noir versus Blanc de Blanc” Dinner
• Meson 923: Raventos Cava Pairing Dinner

• The Hotel Monteleone sponsored by Ruinart Champagne - “Bubbles and The Bayou” hosted by New Orleans’ legendary Poppy Tooker and Chef Chuck Subra (Executive Chef of La Cote Brasserie & native of New Iberia, Louisiana). This evening will celebrate Louisiana’s locally grown cuisine paired with champagne.

Event attendees will be able to taste and network with independent growers to learn about the differences in styles, regions and country production methods, as well as meet with top chefs and sommeliers to test drive innovative and unexpected food and sparkling wine pairings.

WEBSITE: www.icswi2010.com

MAJOR EVENTS:

• Fri, April 16: Champagne and Caviar Reception sponsored by Oxford American Magazine & The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 5-6:30p.m. INVITATION ONLY - please contact Katie Callahan for invitation.
• Fri, April 16: Winemakers Dinners, see restaurants above, 7-10 p.m.
• Fri, April 16: Bubbles and Blues on Bourbon Street, Astor Crown Plaza Hotel, 9-11 p.m.
• Sat, April 17: The Bubbly Block Party on Rue Royal, Royal Street, 6-9 p.m.

EXHIBIT HALL: Hall A
HOURS: 9am-5pm

PRESS ROOM: Room 211
HOURS: 9am-4pm

MEDIA CONTACTS:
ICSWI: Katie Callahan, 212-758-5322, katie@venuepr.com
New Orleans CVB: Tara Letort, 504-566-5048, tletort@neworleanscvb.com; Kelly Schulz, 504-421-0962, kschulz@neworleanscvb.com
NOMCC: Rosalie Mortillaro, 504-582-3027, rmortillaro@mccno.com

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