The Grand Tasting lineup boasts 80+ of the world’s top Chardonnay producers from all over the globe.
April 13, 2016 (Pismo Beach, CA) – It’s official: The world’s foremost gathering of Chardonnay producers, sommeliers, media, industry leaders, and wine enthusiasts, The International Chardonnay Symposium, is proud to announce the official lineup of wineries pouring at the Grand Tasting on May 14 has been set, and includes 80+ leading Chardonnay producers from all over the world.
“This marks the highest number of participants in the Symposium’s history,” says Linda Parker Sanpei, the International Chardonnay Symposium’s executive director. “As with every year, all the producers we’re hosting not only craft high quality wine, they represent the diverse Chardonnay styles being produced all over the world.”
The full list of the 80+ Grand Tasting wineries is available TheChardonnaySymposium.com.
While the 2016 Grand Tasting is officially closed, winery/producer applications are still being accepted for the Sparkling & Oysters Gala on May 12, which will kick off the three-day Symposium.
Other events taking place during the Symposium include the La Paulée Dinner and Awards Ceremony, a Vintners’ Wine Tech Symposium, and a Sommelier Chardonnay Challenge. There will be a series of panel discussions, as well, and include:
- A Wente Clone Comparative Tasting – An exploration of one of the most widely planted and revered clones throughout the western United States.
- French Forum: Exploring France’s Chardonnay Regions – A guided tasting tour of the top Chardonnay producing regions in France from Chablis to Champagne.
- What’s Oak Got to Do With It? – An engaging discussion and debate about varying oak regimens, as well as concrete and stainless steel fermentation, and their effect on flavors and textures of Chardonnay.
- Pairing Chardonnay With Artisanal Cheese – A world-class tasting of thoughtfully paired artisanal cheese with acclaimed Chardonnay from top wine producers.
- Taste the Difference: Exploring Chardonnay’s Top Regions – A closer look at how climate, soil and elevation influence each of these five world-class regions and how to determine the origin by simply nosing and tasting the wine.
- Hone Your Blind-Tasting Skills – Using notes from perfumes and other sources, you’ll explore—and be able to identify—the vast and surprising expressions found among the best Chardonnay ever produced. This is a two phase panel that should not be missed.
The La Paulée Dinner and Awards Ceremony, honoring the top wines from this year’s participating wineries, will take place May 13.
To purchase tickets to all of the events—including the Grand Tasting—please visit TheChardonnaySymposium.com.
To request a participation application for the Sparkling & Oysters Gala, Vintners Tech Symposium, Sommelier Chardonnay Challenge or complimentary tickets for qualified media to the three-day event, please email TCS@ParkerSanpei.com.
About The International Chardonnay Symposium
The International Chardonnay Symposium attracts winemakers, sommeliers, media, trade, foodies, wine enthusiasts and tastemakers from across the globe to enjoy and study the world’s favorite grape. When the discussion ends, there’s plenty of time for exploring nearby Central Coast wineries as well as the hosting seaside resort towns of Pismo Beach and Avila Beach that offer downtown winetasting rooms, pristine beaches, surfing and kayaking, hiking and biking trails, farm-to-table and seaport-inspired cuisine, boutique shopping, and more. The International Chardonnay Symposium is sponsored by The Tasting Panel Magazine, The SOMM Journal, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Touring & Tasting, Greengate Ranch & Vineyard, Pismo Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau, Avila Beach Tourism Alliance, and the California Highway 1 Discovery Route.
About Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, & Highway 1 Discovery Route of SLO County
San Luis Obispo County’s Pismo Beach, Avila Beach and the Highway 1 Discovery Route destination towns are located on California’s famous Central Coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. With miles of pristine Pacific coastline, enjoy great weather, a plethora of outdoor activities, rich wild life and nature preserves, downtown wine tasting rooms, and the neighboring world class wine producing regions of the Edna Valley, Avila Valley, Arroyo Grande Valley, Santa Maria Valley and Paso Robles. For information on the wide variety of lodging choices, accommodating every budget and lifestyle, visit Classiccalifornia.com, VisitAvilaBeach.com and Highway1DiscoveryRoute.com.
