Program of Events

Registration will be at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Thursday, April 15th 3:00-7:00pm
Friday, April 16th 7:00-10:00am
Saturday, April 17th 7:00am-10:00am

DAY ONE EVENTS

Friday, April 16th, 2010

morning/day

afternoon/evening

late night

9:00 am- 10:30 am
event: Guest Event Registration
location: Convention Center

9:00 am- 10:00 am
event: Industry only seminar
people: Pro Only
location: Convention Center

10:30 am- 12:00 pm
event: Public seminars
people: Grand Cru and General Pass ticket holders
location: Convention Center

10:00 am- 12:00 pm
event: tasting set up
people: sommeliers & producers
location: Convention Center

12:00 pm- 1:00 pm
event: Lunch on your own

1:30 pm- 5:00 pm
event: Grand tasting
people: All ticket holders
location: Convention Center

1:30 pm- 5:00 pm
event: Public seminars
people: Grand Cru and General Pass ticket holders
location: Convention Center

7:00 pm- 9:00 pm
event: Winemakers Dinners

10:00 pm- 12:00 am
event: Bubbles and Blues on Bourbon Street
people: Grand Cru and General Pass ticket holders
location: Astor Hotel

DAY TWO EVENTS

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

morning/day

afternoon/evening

9:00 am- 10:30 am
event: Guest Event Registration
location: Convention Center

9:00 am- 10:00 am
event: Industry only seminar
people: Pro only
location: Convention Center

10:30 am- 12:00 pm
event: Public seminars
people: Grand Cru and General Pass ticket holders
location: Convention Center

10:00 am- 12:00 pm
event: tasting set up
people: sommeliers & producers
location: Convention Center

12:00 pm- 1:00 pm
event: Lunch on your own

1:30 pm- 5:00 pm
event: Grand tasting
people: All ticket holders
location: Convention Center

1:30 pm- 5:00 pm
event: Public seminars
people: Grand Cru and General Pass ticket holders
location: Convention Center

7:00 pm- 10:00 pm
event: The Bubbly Block Party on Rue Royal
people: Grand Cru and General Pass ticket holders
location: Royal St.

ICSWI Seminars

Pro Seminars to be held 1st thing in the am on tasting days:

Making sense of champagne

This seminar will cover methods, varietals, Terroir, Grandes Marques & small growers.

Flight 1: Blanc de Blancs, 5 wines: one from 3 main regions, 1 Grande Marque, 1 Blend for comparison Grande Marques.

Flight 2: Brut blends – the art, science and history of assemblage.
The 4 main regions of Champagne, plus 1 Grande Marque and 1 Blanc de Blancs (for comparison).

Flight 3: Blanc de Noir: 1 from each regions, 1 Grande Marque, 1 Blend for comparison Grande Marques.

Flight 4: Vintage and Tetes de cuvée: 2 vintages & 2 Tetes de cuvées

Flight 5: Rosé de Saignée versus Rosé d’Assemblage in 4 wines.

Successful Business Strategies - discussion

How to drive business and integrate the category, both on and off premise

How a balanced approach can be both viable and profitable

Growing the sparkling category overall into a year-round volume-driver

Fun strategies to engage your customers

Consumer Seminars (event days mid to late morning)

Tour du Monde: Sparkling wines of the world

New world and old world examples with different production methods, grape varieties, terroirs, and historical precedents provide a diverse sparkling world waiting to be discovered.

Consumer Seminars and talks (during the Grand Tasting)

Mixology 101

How bubbles can add zest to new and old cocktails.

Riedel Glassware Seminar: “why the glass counts”

Author talks and book signings – surveying the wealth of reference materials related to sparkling wines.

Meet the press

readers meet writers discussing their craft.

Pre-event sommelier seminar

Champagne etiquette + Riedel glassware

this seminar will cover all aspects of champagne service and a talk about glassware.

Event Information

Bubbles and Blues on Bourbon Street

Enjoy authentic New Orleans blues and jazz on Bourbon Street with hundreds of your closest new friends. This is taking place in the French Quarter, at the Astor Crowne Plaza Ballroom which overlooks the fabled Bourbon Street. Grab beads and a Mardi Gras mask, put on your dancing shoes, and lets party the night away with Champagne and Sparkling Wines.

The Bubbly Block Party on Rue Royal

The incredible city of New Orleans is rolling out the red carpet and closing down Royal Street for a grand street party for ICSWI! Royal Street, in the French Quarter, is a picturesque avenue with wonderful antique and jewelry shops and home to Cafe Du Monde's famous beingets. Various Sommeliers and Mixologists will create signature drinks for your enjoyment, vote for your favorite drink while you stroll, shop, and enjoy the music.

Winemaker Dinners

New Orleans is a culinary mecca and a city well know for its cuisine. The ICSWI Winemakers Dinner offers you an intimate opportunity to enjoy an amazing full course meal paired with Sparkling and Still wines. Limited seating, act today!