FESTIVAL GOERS GET FREE WINE BAGS!

People who attended the fall wine festivals enjoyed receiving free wine bags for their wine tasting experience.

Kokopelli Krush: October 23 - 25. Over 200 wine bags were distributed at this weekend festival of arts, crafts and wine tasting in Surprise at Kokopelli Bistro.

Local First Fall Festival, November 7 at Duck & Decanter - 170 wine bags flew off the tables to people attending this annual festival featuring all local products and foods and wine.

First Press Grand Tasting, Friday November 13 at Valley Ho - 240 of the attendees at this Fund Raiser for KJZZ and Public Radio used the wine bags for the grand tasting event at Valley Ho. Lots of great food, a chef competition and of course, lots of wines were tasted, and the wine bag made it easy to eat, drink, socialize and enjoy hands free.

Queen Creek Olive Mill - various weekends throughout the fall - this outdoor food and wine event attracts many people to the olive mill where everyone also receives a wine bag to facilitate the tasting experience.

See the previous post for prices if you wish to purchase wine bags for your next event, cocktail party, tailgating, or holiday gathering, or gift giving.

contact:


FoodWineTravel Connection, LLC
602-295-8088

NEW SPECIAL PRICES FOR WINE BAGS

NEW SPECIAL PRICES FOR THE WINE BAG! GET YOURS NOW WHILE THEY LAST. THE WINE ACCESSORY THAT IS NEW AND DIFFERENT, PRACTICAL AND USEFUL IN OTHER WAYS TOO.

Updated Price list:
Current open stock black wine bag with wine glass imprint and FoodWineTravel Connection logo:

$1.20 each.

20 or more = $1.00 each.

Custom logo for your company requires 12 week lead time and advance purchase with a minimum order of 1000 and an approved print ready EPS file of your logo at $1.75 each. That includes shipping to Phoenix.

LOCAL FIRST FALL FESTIVAL - NOVEMBER 7, 2009

JOIN US ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2009 FOR THE
LOCAL FIRST FALL FESTIVAL AT DUCK & DECANTER
IN PHOENIX.

WE WILL PARTICPATE ALONG WITH VILLA VITA
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND THE ART ALLIANCE

COME PICK UP A WINE BAG TO USE AT YOUR NEXT
COCKTAIL PARTY, TAILGATING EVENT, OR FESTIVAL.
Yes, it holds a wine glass, but also could hold a bottle of water, a soft drink can or beer!
THE BAGS PROVIDE FOR HANDS FREE DRINKING, EATING AND
SHOPPING.

FIRST PRESS ARIZONA - GRAND TASTING - NOVEMBER 13, 2009

The First Press Weekend of Wine, now in its eighth year, is the Southwest's premier celebration of fine and rare wines. It is kicked off on Friday evening, November 13 with the Grand Tasting at the Valley Ho in Scottsdale, AZ.

FoodWineTravel Connection will be at the Grand Tasting to distribute wine bags to every guest. The bags will again facilitate the tasting logistics and mobility of guests; allowing them to taste wines, and eat food while tasting wines. They will have hands free because the wine bag conveniently holds the wine glass allowing each guest to freely gesture and eat while passing among the various tasting venues.

Look for an update after the event!

WINE BAGS AT KOKOPELLI KRUSH FESTIVAL

Wine Bags join Kokopelli Winery and Bistro

in Surprise, AZ October 2009

October 23 - 25, 2009 Kokopelli Krush Wine Festival - Wine bags were distributed Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon at the Festival and were a hit! The venue was great because people could walk around visiting the various booths, shop and participate while carrying their wine glass in the hands-free wine bag we provided.

We were guests of Gina Ruggiero, owner of Villa Vita International travel. Manning her booth, providing information on travel to Italy, (because she is in Italy now), distributing custom made coasters and the wine bags was fun and we met a lot of interesting people at the Surprise, Arizona Kokopelli Bistro and festival. Of course, we tasted Kokopelli wines, and enjoyed the Art Alliance show along with many other arts and craft displays.

WINE BAGS AT CORTA BELLA ITALIAN CLUB

Gina Ruggiero of Villa Vita International was recently invited to speak about travel opportunities in Italy at the Italian Club meeting at the Corta Bella Community in Sun City West. I went along for fun. We met many new people, and enjoyed lots of good food and wine. As part of the program, I distributed wine bags to each of the members who attended. Gina showed a beautiful video of picturesque sites in Tuscany, displayed brochures, photographs and provided recipe books for the member. A number of persons are interested in creating small groups for custom travel adventures to Italy in the future.

Certaldo Tuscany, Italy - medieval walled city

How I learned about wine bags.

When in Italy my friend and I visited the historic mountain top medieval village of Certaldo for their annual food and wine festival. Upon arriving at the walled village via 'finicular' (tram), each visitor was handed a wine glass and the wine bag to hold the glass. It was very convenient to use while we strolled along the cobbled streets, tasting handmade cheeses, salumi, roasted chestnuts, and different wines, of course. Our hands were free to eat, drink, and enjoy the festival crafts while walking among ancient structures, art and architecture. Because the wine bag was so convenient and unique, I decided to have some made for use here in the U.S. They haven't 'caught on' quite yet, but don't wait too long, because they will become popular soon. (see below how to get your very own wine bag for your next wine tasting or cocktail party).

CHEF GIUSEPPE'S VISIT SUCCESSFUL!

Chef Giuseppe arrived in Arizona on Sunday, February 1. The following 2 weeks were packed with meetings, cooking classes, demonstrations, dinners and receptions day and night. Nearly 375 people attended one or more of the events and enjoyed freshly prepared authentic Tuscan Italian country cooking and learned about special ingredients, extra virgin olive oil, and tasted the desire to travel to Italy. Chef Giuseppe was particularly pleased to provide the holiday panettone shipped direct from the producer for these events. Several different dessert recipes were demonstrated. Most enjoyed was the Panettone Loison Flambe with Moscato wine sabayon. After toasting the fruity bread, orange liqueur was 'flamed' over the toast, then served with a silky moscato wine sabayon.

Roasted pork loin wrapped in pancetta; proscuitto wrapped chicken breasts stuffed with mushrooms and seasonings; risotto with creamy Italian cheeses; 'naked' ricotta and spinach ravioli in a rustic tomato sauce; balsamic vinaigrette on farro salad. Hungry anyone?

We became more familiar with typical Italian ingredients such as arugula and radicchio greens, Asiago, fresh mozzerella, Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano cheeses, polenta, cioppolini, proscuitto, and pancetta, to name a few. And, of course, Tuscan Extra Virgin Olive Oil. And wines too.

The Queen Creek Olive Mill generously and graciously provided locally produced Tuscan style olive oil for cooking at all the events. And several guests received a gift of oil and balsamic vinegar as prizes.

Many people are excited a hope to travel to Tuscany to experience in Italy the special ingredients in authentic foods, the historical sites as well as the beautiful landscapes and villas. Oh, and wine tasting and vineyard visits, of course. Gina Ruggiero of Villa Vita International attended all the events and helped individuals and groups create customized personalized travel adventures that include cooking with Giuseppe along with many other options available.

Looking forward to next year, with Giuseppe back in the Valley of the Sun.

CHEF GIUSEPPE - FEB 3 - 14, 2009 EVENT SCHEDULE

Meet Chef Giuseppe from Tuscany when he visits Arizona and the Valley of the Sun February 2 through 15, 2009. He will conduct cooking classes and special culinary events in different venues. These events will promote culinary adventure travel to Italy and demonstrate his passion for Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Attendees will experience authentic Tuscan cooking, and savor the delightful foods he prepares. You will learn the benefits of extra virgin olive oil, and enjoy his Italian personality and expertise. Currently scheduled classes, events, and contact information is below.




--- February 3 - Epicurean Palette - Cave Creek. Cooking class - Tuesday morning 9:30 - 12:30pm; contact 480-488-4955 for reservations and information

--- February 3 - Epicurean Palette - Cave Creek. Cooking class - Tuesday evening 6:00 - 8:30 pm; contact 480-488-4955 for reservations and information. CLASS FULLY BOOKED


---February 4 - 'Meet the Chef' reception at the home of Karolyn McCain for friends of Villa Vita and FoodWineTravel Connection; Wednesday evening 5:00 - 9:oo pm. Contact 623-581-1062 for reservations and information

--- February 6 - 3TV - Friday 9:30 am -- taping for 'Your Life A to Z' show.

--- February 6 - Wine and Food reception for 25 prepared by Chef Giuseppe at home of Carmella Diamond Dodge, Friday evening 6: - 8:30pm contact 480-621-5559 for reservations and information

--- February 7 - Alcantara Vineyards 4-course private dinner for 24 prepared by Chef Giuseppe for guests of Alcantara Vineyards at private home in Paradise Valley. Saturday evening 6:00 - 10:00 pm. Food paired with Alcantara wines.

--- February 9 - 9:00 am appearance on KTVK 3TV 'Your Life A to Z' morning show.

---February 9 - Sun West Distributing, Tempe cooking class - Monday morning 10:30 - 12:30 pm. contact 480-784-6611 for reservations and information

--- February 9 - Sun West Distributing, Tempe cooking class - Monday evening 6:30 - 8:30 pm; contact 480-784-6611 for reservations and information.

--- February 10 - cooking class and private dinner party for 12 prepared by Chef Giuseppe at home of Neil and Brenda Samis, Tucson 3:00 - 9:00 pm

--- February 11 - cooking class and private dinner party for 10 prepared by Chef Giuseppe at home of Neil and Brenda Samis, Tucson. 3:00 - 9:00 pm

--- February 13 - SunWest Distributing - Viking Showroom in Tempe; food prepared by Chef Giuseppe and wine social event for 100 sponsored by Bob Stamm and Jon Osterkamp, Southwest Retirement Planners; Friday evening 4:00 - 8:00 pm. Contact 602-331-3468 for reservations and information.