New Orleans Wine and Food Experience

Thousands of wine and food lovers gather each spring in New Orleans for one of this city's most extravagant rites of passage, the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience. The event spotlights the city's legendary restaurants along with fine wines from around the globe.

More than 250 wineries are typically represented during the five-day festival, with more than 800 vintages poured at a series of indoor and outdoor events. More than 100 of the city's fine restaurants take part.

Some of the must-do events of the festival include:

Vintner dinners at 34 restaurants, hosted by winery representatives and pairing select wines with menus.

The Royal Street Experience is a lively stroll through the French Quarter's most elegant street. Live music, food and wine make for a festive evening.

Two days of Grand Tastings with dishes from more than 100 of New Orleans world renowned restaurants and wines from more than 250 producers.

Two days of seminars on a wide range of topics, led by winemakers and other experts in viniculture and the wine industry.

Bubbles and Brunch, a convivial champagne jazz brunch.

For more information, call: (504) 529-WINE (9463), fax: (504) 596-FOOD (3663) or visit: www.nowfe.com.

by Dean M. Shapiro