Spain's Great Match Comes to Portland Oct. 29

PORTLAND, OR--(Marketwire - Oct 2, 2012) - For the first time in its 19-year history, Wines from Spain, a division of the Trade Commission of Spain, will bring its annual Great Match: Wine & Tapas  tasting to Portland, Ore. on Monday, Oct. 29. The event provides an opportunity to sample and learn about more than 150 of the world's most sought-after wines paired with food from Portland's hottest restaurants.

"Spain's Great Match is an opportunity for Portlanders to experience the best of Spanish wine and food," said Katrin Naelapaa, executive director of Wines from Spain. "This is the most comprehensive tasting of Spanish wines in the United States and its intimate environment allows for attendees to meet with Spanish winery representatives, wine importers and distributors."

At the afternoon portion of the Great Match, renowned wine experts will lead trade and media seminars, highlighting the various wine producing regions of Spain.

In the evening, Portlanders are invited to cut loose and enjoy the vast variety of Spanish wines, as well as the culinary creations of some of Portland's most innovative Spanish and Latin-style restaurants, including Andina, Patanegra and Crown Paella, all in benefit of oenology and wine students at the Oregon Culinary Institute.

WHEN:
Monday, Oct. 29

WHERE:
Leftbank Annex, 101 N Weidler St., Portland, OR 97227

TRADE:
Cava Seminar: 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Hosted by Leslie Sbrocco, wine author, speaker, consultant and Emmy Award-winning television host. Seating is limited.

Ribera Del Duero Seminar: 4:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Presented by Bruce Schoenfeld, Travel + Leisure's wine editor. Seating is limited.

Trade and media tasting: 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Open exclusively to wine industry professionals and the media.

Registration:
Pre-registration is required and offered online at www.greatmatch.org. Attendees will be asked to provide a business card at registration.

CONSUMER:
Consumer tasting: 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Ticket Sales: Tickets are $50 and are available at www.greatmatch.org. Early bird tickets will be on-sale through Sept. 30 and are $40. Must be 21 or older to attend.

The Great Match is presented with a special thanks to Spain Arts & Culture.

About Oregon Culinary Institute
Oregon Culinary Institute (OCI) was established on a simple idea: that a great culinary education must be practical and provide its graduates with the best possible foundation for a successful career in the food and hospitality industry. At OCI, the training is hands-on, the education is challenging and the experience is real world -- all punctuated by classes in our open-to-the-public restaurant and an externship in the industry. The campus is located in a cook's paradise -- Portland -- with a bounty of foods, wines, beers and restaurants. And the community is committed to sustainability -- something OCI teaches and lives every day. For more information, visit www.oregonculinaryinstitute.com.

About Wines from Spain
Wines from Spain is a promotional division of the Trade Commission of Spain based in New York. For 30 years, Wines from Spain has been committed to increasing the awareness of Spanish wines throughout the United States through education, informational materials, special events and promotions. For further information on specific wine regions and producers, please contact: Wines from Spain, Trade Commission of Spain, 405 Lexington Avenue, 44th Floor, New York, NY 10174-0331 or visit www.WinesfromSpainUSA.com.

Find Wines from Spain online at http://www.facebook.com/SpanishWines and http://twitter.com/WinesFromSpain.