ABCFWS Wine Team members gathered in South Beach on the 19^th for an all-day symposium hosted by E & J Gallo Winery featuring industry luminaries Gina Gallo and Doug Frost MW.  The interactive format presented local trade affiliates and customers a special opportunity to engage with winemaking talent from across the globe in a series of thought-provoking dialogues. 

Roger Nabedian, Senior VP & GM of Gallo’s Premium Wine Division, and Doug Frost piloted the proceedings through a sequence of five distinct forums.  Each forum featured a theme, a flight of wines, and a panel of winemakers and experts for the audience to Q & A with.  Topics included the influence of terroir in California’s Central Coast, the trending of Red Wine Blends in the market, the challenges of viticulture in extreme wine producing regions, pairing whites with seafood, and the impact of social media in wine marketing.

One segment was particularly memorable.  Each member of the audience and panel was asked to make their own ceviche with fresh fish and select ingredients and then taste a flight of wines to see how seemingly “odd” food and wine pairings can sometimes complement.  The various combinations of added ingredients (coarse salt, two kinds of citrus, olive oil, almonds, herbs and cayenne) generated a good spirited exchange when La Marca Prosecco and William Hill Estate Napa Chardonnay appeared to be a surprisingly better match (at least with some audience members) than a more natural pairing choice, the Martin Códax Albariño Rias Baixas. 

The roster of winemakers and winery professionals in attendance included Josh Baker of Edna Valley Vineyard, David Hopkins of Bridlewood Estate Winery, Ernesto Bajda of Bodegas Escorihuela Gascón, Yolanda Diaz of Bodegas San Alejandro, Michael Martini of Louis M Martini, Michael Eddy of Ghost Pines, Giovanni Nencini of Cantine Leonardo Da Vinci, Felipe Stahlschmidt of Alamos, Katia Alvarez of Martín Códax, Fabrizio Gatto of LaMarca and Ralf Holdenried of William Hill Estate.  Also participating were Michael Heintz, Gallo’s Director of Fine Wine Marketing and Attention! Founder & CEO Curtis Hougland.

After the conference, an exclusive reception was held at the W Hotel Miami, providing further chance for attendees to network, taste new wine releases and interface with the experts.   Thank you to Tom Goodman CSW for the invitation and Gina Gallo for such a dynamic, well-conceived and worthwhile event.

Jim Greeley, Wine Supervisor, SW Florida

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