'San Antonio Express-News' Wine Competition and Festival

Those looking for some out-of-town entertainment should consider the San Antonio Express-News Wine Competition and Festival taking place Friday, Feb. 16, and Sunday, Feb. 18, at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio. I attended this 25-year-old event last year and recommend it as a fun, educational, and exciting event. All proceeds benefit KLRN, public television for South Central Texas, so by enjoying great wine and food, you'll be helping a good cause. The list of gold-medal-winning wines from the 2007 Wine Competition will be announced in the Feb. 14 issue of the Express-News, and attendees can sample the winning wines at the festival's events.

The festival kicks off with the Wine Opener on Friday from 7 to 9:30pm. This intimate black-tie affair includes an array of American vintners, as well as outstanding international participants. It offers a chance to taste the gold-medal-winning wines from the competition, along with excellent cuisine and live Latin jazz. If this year's event is anywhere close to last year's, it's definitely worth it for the abundance of great food and wines.

Sunday kicks things off with a lavish, multicourse Champagne Brunch from 11am to 1:30pm. This is a great opportunity to taste some of the world's most outstanding Champagnes and wines. Winery representatives will be on hand to talk to participants and answer their questions, all while enjoying a private performance by Public Radio International's Jim Cullum Jazz Band. The festival comes to a close that evening at the Alamodome with the Fine Wine & Cuisine Tasting from 6 to 8:30pm. This event is known in San Antonio as the "granddaddy of all wine tastings," with hundreds of wines available for sampling along with food from local restaurants and catering companies.

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For admission information and more, visit www.sawinefest.com.