Each spring, wine professionals and press come together in Bordeaux to evaluate the newest vintage. The week is called Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (or UGC for short) and gives us an early look at the upcoming wines a few years before they are actually delivered. It is a long, hard week of tasting hundreds of young, unfinished wines and is not for the faint of heart! Fortunately, most consumers and Bordeaux aficionados don’t get to attend, since what they dream of and the reality of that week are two different ideas altogether! But now you can attend right here in Orlando, and the tasting is all fun! And you don't have the expense of airfare or have to eat French food for a whole week (this, of course, is my attempt at humor) because we are bringing the UGC event to YOU!

Like last year, the Orlando UGC event will be the best showcase wine event in the area, some say in Florida, for the year. Spectacular wines, served and explained by estate owners, winemaking teams and Bordeaux dignitaries...and top flight food in a relaxed, taster-friendly atmosphere.

The Bordeaux Grande Tasting--January 15, 2014, from 7:00-10:00 p.m. at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando

$100 per person (includes wine sampling and heavy gourmet hors d'oeuvres). For tickets call 407-851-0000, ext: 8110

Those attending include:

Château Angélus / Château Daugay

Château Armailhac

Château Branaire Ducru

Château Brane Cantenac

Château Canon La Gaffelière

Château Cantemerle

Château Cantenac Brown

Château Carbonnieux

Château Chasse Spleen

Château Clerc Milon Rothschild

Château Clinet

Domaine de Chevalier

Château Gazin

Château Grand Puy Lacoste

Château Haut Bages Libéral

Château Lafon Rochet

Château Léoville Barton

Château Lynch Bages

Château Pichon Longueville Baron

Château Suduiraut

Château Poujeaux

Clos Fourtet

Château Léoville Poyferré

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Château Talbot

Château Croix Mouton

Château Ampelia

Château Gloria

*This list is subject to change.

We hope to see you there!

Shayne Hebert, Central Florida Wine Supervisor. Follow me on Twitter @abcwineshayne.