Enjoy a wine-oriented night at The Driskill Hotel (Credit: Charles Quinn Photography)
Cheers! Austin’s most anticipated and absolutely fabulous wine event, Big Reds & Bubbles, is right around the corner. This annual celebration of red and sparkling wine, put on by Wine and Food Foundation of Texas, goes down on Nov. 17, 2017, at The Driskill Hotel. Local chefs will be making food on site; live music will set the rhythm for the evening; and the wine will be flowing like a river.
Wine Lovers, Rejoice!
Try a variety of wines at Big Reds & Bubbles (Credit: Charles Quinn Photography)
With nearly 160 different wines and food from 12 local restaurants, this event is a wine lover’s fantasy. Big Reds & Bubbles furthers Wine and Food Foundation of Texas’ mission to promote wine and food culture in Austin, through education, exposure, and social interaction. Executive Director Peggy Hanley spoke with zeal about the upcoming 15th anniversary of Big Reds & Bubbles, telling me what she’s most excited about this year. (SPOILER ALERT: It’s the wine.)
“Part of the beauty of Austin is its culture; and its wine and food culture is growing and improving every year,” Hanley said. “We bring the people—the wine community—together to learn about, taste, and appreciate wines.”
What to Expect This Year
Vintage Porto was on the tasting list in 2016 (Credit: Charles Quinn Photography)
The wine comes from around the world, affording attendees the chance to try wines they may not be exposed to otherwise. Whether it’s a region, grape, or label, Big Reds & Bubbles, with its massive list of wines, introduces discerning VIPs and wine novices to something new each year.
Upon entering the ballroom, attendees begin with a welcome wine, something trendy to open the palate and instigate conversation. Wine and Food Foundation of Texas really wants people talking about wine and sharing wine-related stories with each other.
Local chefs dish up savory and sweet bites at the event (Credit: Charles Quinn Photography)
VIP ticket holders are in for a special treat this year: an hour-long session with two of Austin’s Master Sommeliers, June Rodil (June’s All Day) and Devon Broglie (Whole Foods Market Global Beverage Buying group).
Restaurants around town love bringing their bites to the event. Since attendees make up the ultimate wining and dining crowd in Austin, savvy restauranteurs know they are the ones to woo with gorgeous bites, enticing them to visit for a full meal later. A handful of devoted restaurants return to Big Reds & Bubbles each year to feed the tipsy masses. In addition, Wine and Food Foundation makes certain to invite restaurants to participate for the first time. This keeps it fresh and satisfying for everyone involved.
Giving Back Through Big Reds & Bubbles
While the social aspect of such a posh affair is undeniably part of the appeal, Wine and Food Foundation also works to build a “healthy, dynamic community of wine and food lovers in Austin.” Big Reds & Bubbles holds a silent auction, and a portion of the proceeds go toward practicing what the organization preaches. Hanley notes that year-round, the foundation raises funds to “provide support to organizations that work within the life cycle of wine and food.”
Popular urban farm, Urban Roots, with its focus on teenagers and community development, is one such beneficiary. Wine and Food Foundation also helps build wine culture and knowledge in Austin, by funding scholarships and travel to national and international wine-centric events, such as TEXSOM and Somms Under Fire. Hanley wants to see the organization amp up its support and outreach in the coming months.
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Wines and Bites
Attendees wear giant smiles at Austin’s favorite wine and food event (Credit: Charles Quinn Photography)
This list of participating wineries and restaurants in by no means complete. But it gives a sampling of some of the companies participating this year, and where they are based. Keep in mind that several global wine distributors will also be attending and pouring for the crowd.
Wineries:
- Alexander Valley Vineyards (Calif.)
- Chapel Down (U.K.)
- Ehlers Estate (Calif.)
- Gerard Bertrand (France)
- Gloria Ferrer (Calif.)
- Huneeus Vitners (Calif.)
- Jordan Winery (Calif.)
- King Estate Winery (Ore.)
- Long Meadow Ranch (Calif.)
- Maison Louis Latour (France)
- Pedernales Cellars (Stonewall, Texas)
- Rombauer Vineyards (Calif.)
- Segura Viudas (Spain)
- W&J Graham’s (Portugal)
Restaurants:
- The Driskill
- Freedmen’s
- Cannon & Belle
- Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
- Delysia Chocolatier
- Lox, Box, and Barrel
- El Chipirón
- Parkside
- Mezze Me
- VOX Table
- Cafe Josie
- Nightcap
Pre-holiday Party Time
Wine and Food Foundation of Texas committee member, Ketan Patel, gushes, “Big Reds & Bubbles is one of my favorite events of the year, as it falls perfectly into the holiday season kickoff. The variety of wine is always impressive, and the restaurants that partake in the evening always bring top-notch bites. It has established itself as a tradition among my group of friends.”
Tickets are on sale. Don’t delay if you want to go! VIP tickets are already sold out, and regular tickets sell out each year.
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@theAustinot wants to know:
What is your favorite wine-focused event in Austin?
