Most champions pop the cork only after winning, but the experts at The Wine ConneXtion will be popping corks all through the month of March. As the nation’s favorite tournament is taking place on basketball courts across the country, The Wine ConneXtion, located in North Andover, MA, is joining the madness with its own month-long playoff to determine the best bottle of wine under $25. Over 30 sommeliers, media personalities, chefs and restaurateurs will choose their favorite wines, and The Wine ConneXtion will pit these selections head-to-head in a single elimination battle for wine supremacy. There will be preliminary tastings held every Saturday in March beginning March 10th, 2012. From 12:00PM to 5:00PM each week guests will taste 10 player’s wines and vote on their three favorites! The top three weekly wines will make it to the final tasting round on Saturday, March 31st, 2012, when one bottle (and one player) from the nine finalists will be crowned the "March Wine Madness" champion!
Throughout the entire month of March guests can peruse the aisles of the Wine ConneXtion and learn more about their favorite March Wine Madness player’s wine choice, which will be prominently displayed in the store. Wine lovers and fans alike are encouraged to get in on the action by using the Twitter hashtag #MarchWineMadness.
Join the Wine ConneXtion in this fun taste-off with some of the area’s greatest wine connoisseurs and come away knowing the best wine bargains out there!
PLAYERS: Jenny Johnson, Executive Producer/ Co-Host of NECN’s TV Diner; Joe Faro, Owner of Tuscan Kitchen; Catherine Walkey, Owner of Blue on Highland; Scott Kearnan, Editorial Director at STUFF Magazine; Jamie Coelho, Associate Editor at Rhode Island Monthly magazine and The Dish local food newsletter; Tony Bettencourt, Chef/ Owner of 62 Restaurant & Wine Bar; Andrew Rimas, Editor at Improper Bostonian; Dan Henn, Wine Sommelier of Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse – Boston; Jay Foster, Beverage Director of C.S. Post 390 Restaurant; Eric Eastman, General Manager of BOKX 109 American Prime; Jennifer Mueller, Celebrity Chef; Billy Costa, Co-Host of NECN’s TV Diner and Co-Host of "Matty In the Morning" on KISS 108FM; Chef Brian Poe, Executive Chef of Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake; Chef Lydia Shire, Culinary Director of Towne Stove and Spirits and Chef/Owner of Scampo; Bruno Marini, General Manager & Wine Director of Strega Waterfront; Nicholas Daddona, Certified Sommelier of Les Zygomates Wine Bar & Bistro; Jason Bond, Executive Chef of Bondir; Bre Garcia Dale, Education Director at the Boston Center for Adult Education; Jonathon Alsop, Boston Wine School; Tom Grella, Executive Chef and Co-owner of Prelude Restaurant; Cecilia Rait, Co-Proprietor of Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro; Jennifer L. Ziskin, Wine Director and General Manager of La Morra; Matthew Morello of Brasserie 28; Richard Auffrey, The Passionate Foodie Blog; Bertil Jean-Chronberg, General Manager and Sommelier of The Beehive; Mary Edes, General Manager of Coppa, Jose Duarte, Chef/Owner of Taranta Restaurant; Paul Turano, Chef/Owner of Tryst Restaurant; Eric Bogardus, Executive Chef Petit Robert Central; Erwin Ramos, Chef Ole Restaurant Group.
WHERE: The Wine ConneXtion, 117 Main Street in North Andover, MA
WHEN: Preliminary Tastings:
Saturday, March 10th, 2012 from 12:00PM to 5:00PM
Saturday, March 17th, 2012 from 12:00PM to 5:00PM
Saturday, March 24th, 2012 from 12:00PM to 5:00PM
Final Tasting: Saturday, March 31st, 2012 from 12:00PM to 5:00PM
COST: Free. Guests must be 21 years of age or older.
