Building the Essential Wine Wardrobe: Author Hosts Fashion Show to Teach Wine Fundamentals at Taste Washington.

SEATTLE -- Riesling is a "Spring Dress;" Cabernet Sauvignon is a "Classic Suit"

What does Chardonnay have in common with a wardrobe essential like basic black? How is a glass of Washington Syrah like a splashy crimson scarf? "They're all integral pieces of your wardrobe," says wine expert Leslie Sbrocco, author of the award-winning book Wine for Women: A Guide to Buying, Pairing and Sharing Wine. To prove the point, Sbrocco will host an entertaining fashion show highlighting her "essential wine wardrobe" concept at a Taste Washington seminar in Seattle, April 8 - 10.

According to a Wine Market Council survey, women buy the majority of wine in this country and Sbrocco's research shows that most women are less concerned with a wine's critical rating and more interested in its taste and style. "Words like stylish, elegant, opulent, fresh and clean are used to describe wine as well as fashion," notes Sbrocco who uses her quick wit and fashion savvy as a means of differentiating wine varieties and styles. "Wine, like fashion, shouldn't be feared or revered but enjoyed," she says.

Sbrocco's seminar is one of ten educational sessions offered during Taste Washington, a weekend celebration of Washington State wine and food at Bell Harbor International Conference Center on Pier 66. Tickets to Saturday's educational seminars range from $25 - $90 each. The cost of Sbrocco's seminar, "Wine Savvy -- The Stylish Approach," is $45 and includes a wine tasting. Sbrocco is also Saturday's keynote luncheon speaker. Tickets are available to both the seminar and lunch at www.tastewashington.org.

The session isn't just for women who love wine, either. Washington wine personality Greg Lill of DeLille Cellars will be among several models sporting "wine wardrobe basics" courtesy of Butch Blum, one of Seattle's finest European specialty clothiers. Sbrocco will draw fashion comparisons with wine while educating the audience. For example, Cabernet Sauvignon is the author's "classic suit wine" because it is structured and timeless.

"The fragrant, fruity character of a Riesling is comparable to the refreshing feeling of slipping into a springtime dress, while cashmere is a perfect descriptor for Washington Merlot, which is smooth and sensuous," adds Sbrocco. The seminar will also cover the basics of tasting wine, food pairing ideas, and practical serving tips.

Sbrocco's entertaining approach to wine education has won Wine for Women (published in 2003 by William Morrow) numerous awards including the Georges Duboeuf Book of the Year award. Wine for Women has been excerpted in two national magazines: Redbook and Family Circle. In addition, Sbrocco has been featured in many publications including the Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald, New York Times, New York Post, USA Today and others. She is a wine columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle and Epicurious.com and her work may be read in O, the Oprah Magazine, Good Housekeeping, and Coastal Living. A national wine contributor on the PBS cooking show "Seasonings," Sbrocco has also hosted programs on the Food Network and HGTV, as well as regularly appearing on television and radio programs including the Today Show and CNN. Prior to completing her book, Leslie was a wine review columnist for The New York Times on the Web and the wine correspondent for CBS television's "Evening Magazine."

After nearly a decade writing and lecturing about wine, Sbrocco decided to write Wine for Women to address the questions women asked her most from buying wines by style to wine-friendly recipes. According to Sbrocco, "Wine for Women is an in-depth wine education book that is by no means gender exclusive (men will enjoy it too!) as the information in the book revolves around how to easily integrate wine into daily life." The fashion metaphors are simply a creative way to make wine more accessible. "I've found that with most women the fashion/wine connection resonates. It's all about feeling comfortable and having fun with wine."

Taste Washington is organized by the Washington Wine Commission and as event director Jamie Peha explains, "Our goal is to offer consumers a three-day event that combines education and entertainment in a unique way, and Leslie's fast-paced, fresh approach to demystifying wine is the perfect complement to the weekend," she says. "Taste Washington is geared not only for those who want to learn what's new and exciting in Washington wine country but also for those who want to sharpen their tasting skills," says Peha.

Now in its eighth year, Taste Washington Seattle expanded from a one to three day event in 2004. More than 4,000 wine and food enthusiasts from around the country are expected at this year's festival. More information is available at tastewashington.org.

About The Washington Wine Commission

The Washington Wine Commission is responsible for the promotion and development of the Washington wine industry, representing the state's more than 300 wineries, 350 wine grape growers and 30,000 vineyard acres. For more information about Washington wines, touring, and tasting opportunities, visit www.washingtonwine.org or e-mail [e-mail].