For the third year, The Tempranillo Advocates, Producers and Amigos Society (TAPAS) is hosting the most extensive annual tasting of domestically produced Spanish and Portuguese varietal wines in North America.
Grapes native to the Iberian Peninsula produce some of the hottest-selling wines on the market right now, but not many people know that there are excellent and unique domestic versions being grown, too.
Consumers will have the unique opportunity to sample wines from more than 30 participating wineries and learn about varieties such as Tempranillo, Albarino, Garnacha, Graciano, Mourvedre, Touriga, Verdelho, Bastardo and more.
Many TAPAS members are limited-production, family-owned wineries and will be pouring small-lot wines that are not widely available. This year, the event will be held at the Fort Mason Herbst Pavilion in San Francisco on Saturday, June 5.
From 2 to 5 p.m., consumers will have an opportunity to taste wines produced by TAPAS members in a casual walk-around setting where they may chat with the growers and producers. These delightful domestic wines originate in Arizona, California and Oregon.
Chef Marco Rauch will tantalize guests’ palates with “The World’s Most Delicious Paella” to accompany the wines. Local restaurants and food purveyors from around the Bay Area will be on hand with samples designed to pair with the Iberian varieties.
TAPAS President Jeff Stai of Twisted Oak Winery in Murphys, Calif., said, “We’re excited to be able to create an event where consumers can branch out beyond the common varietals and discover a new world of flavors. Come join us and have a Spanish inspiration!”
Tickets for the tasting are $35 in advance, available online at tapas2010.eventbrite.com, or $50 at the door. For directions to the Fort Mason Center, visit www.fortmason.org.
