24th Annual Food and Wine Classic in Aspen
Montesquieu was one of the leading wine negociants present at the 24th Annual Food and Wine Classic in Aspen last summer. Some of the featured participants in the event were distinguished wine authorities and sommeliers, such as Steve Olson, Joshua Wesson, and Daniel Johnnes. Chefs Mario Batali, Bobby Flay, Emeril Lagasse, and Jacques Pepin also numbered among the celebrated participants. For three days in mid-June, wine and food gurus from all over the world descended on Aspen for one of the US's largest food and wine celebrations. Montesquieu was a part of the pairing of food and wine contingent and offered the event's guests tastings of our finest wines. Guests also witnessed cooking demonstrations, listened to fascinating speakers, took part in wine seminars, and enjoyed reserve wine tasting from the US's top wineries, including Montesquieu.
Steve Olson, also known as the Wine Geek, is dedicated to educating people about the appreciation and celebration of wine. At events, like the Aspen event, Olson lectures and speaks to the public about wine and offers suggestions. He occasionally takes questions from the audience, who can then draw on his vast knowledge of wine to get the answers to their impromptu questions. When he is not starring in food and wine events, Olson writes about all forms of spirits from beer to wine, discussing their different qualities and varieties and how they interact integrally with foods. His mission is to make wine and tasting it fun by removing common doubts about the process of enjoying wine and getting beyond the fears and intimidations beginners have about wine and spirits in general. Olson was an integral part of the wine section of the event and one of the reasons Montesquieu was proud to represent at the Aspen event.
Joshua Wesson, executive director and chairman of Best Cellars, Inc., was also one of the featured wine speakers at the Classic in Aspen. As a sommelier, he has enjoyed an extensive and thriving career as a leader in the food and wine industry. Wesson continues to work as a retailer, consultant, and author, and various reviewers have named him the "Best Sommelier in America" and the "Retail Wine Innovator of the Year." Wesson shares his talents with millions of Americans every year through the media and several national publications, and events like the Classic in Aspen. Like Montesquieu's wine brokers, Wesson enjoyed sharing his expertise with the public and educating them on the joys of wine at Aspen.
Daniel Johnnes, the Wine Director for Daniel Boulud's Dinex Group, is one of the most respected sommeliers in the United States. In his spare time, Johnnes is an author and importer of wines. Over the years, several foundations have awarded Johnnes with numerous professional awards and honored him with the title of the nation's best sommelier. In addition to participating in food and wine events, Johnnes also organizes wine dinners for the most exclusive restaurants in the country. His excellent pairing of food and wine has awarded him several titles and glowing reviews. He was a wonderful asset to the wine tasting scene at the Food and Wine Classic, and Montesquieu was thrilled to work along side this master sommelier.
Restaurant owner Mario Batali has built a successful food empire and established himself as one of the country's top restaurateurs. He operates several acclaimed New York City restaurants, and the country is looking forward to the opening of more of his award-winning restaurants out west. The renowned chef has written several cookbooks, and enjoys giving public food demonstrations of his original and internationally famous recipes at food and cultural events. As a featured food speaker, Mario Batali brought a unique atmosphere to the event, pairing wines and foods that impressed the Montesquieu staff.
Native of New York Bobby Flay is a major force in the food and wine industry and has proven to be a knowledgeable member of the culinary world. He is as critically acclaimed as he is popular, and he has reputable restaurants across the US. Flay stars in several food and cooking shows, and he is the author of seven cookbooks. The special talent he displayed with food during his cooking demonstrations awed and inspired his audience members. Montesquieu, the sponsors, and participators of the Food and Wine Classic appreciated the talent he brought to event.
Chef Emeril Lagasse owns10 award-winning restaurants that he opened all over the country, but Montesquieu knows him best as the favorite TV personality of several food shows. When he is not managing his restaurants or appearing in a cooking show, Emeril is busy working on his next best-selling cookbook and appearing as a food correspondent for ABC. Emeril brought excitement and dynamism to the Food and Wine show with his speeches on food combinations and demonstrations of recipes.
Jacques Pépin is one of America's best-loved cooking personalities, and he was one of the most widely known and distinguished chefs present at the Aspen event. He has hosted several television series on the subject of food as well as written numerous successful cookbooks. His latest book, besides being a celebration of food, also celebrates his life with its very personal feel and containment of his essays and articles on food, as well as photographs that showcase the chef's masterpieces and the man himself.
Montesquieu was honored to participate in the same wine events with so many talented and inspiring artists in the food and wine industry. The dynamic the sommeliers and chefs brought to the event created a celebratory atmosphere that made the event an ideal one for Montesquieu to participate in and showcase some of the their and the world's finest vintages.