Image via Texas Wine and Food Foundation.

1st Annual Spring Wine Fling
Wednesday, May 14
Zilker Park (2100 Barton Springs Road)
$50 members, $60 non-members, 6-9pm
[info] | [tickets]

The weather is warm, the wildflowers are out, and it's nice to get out to the park. To that end, the Wine and Food Foundation is starting a new Spring tradition at wedding hot spot Zilker Park Clubhouse. On Wednesday, four wine distributors will pour over 100 of their new release wines at the first annual Spring Fling from 6 to 9pm. Distributors Prestige Cellars, Ambiente Importing, Pioneer, and Horizon Wines will show off a literal world of wines designed for spring and summer sipping. This all takes place in the comfy confines of Zilker Park, where you can relax after a long work day and concentrate on choosing your new favorite vino for the season.

Some of our favorites from the list: Yalumba, who do top-notch Aussie Shiraz and Viognier, Robert Hall, a Texan making great wines in Paso Robles, Nautilus, a small but high-quality Kiwi winemaker, and Bodega Finca Antigua, who make solid Spanish varietals.

Because wine always needs a pairing, the Foundation has also recruited some ace local restaurants, grocers, and caterers to provide snacks and small plates to accompany the litany of wines. These merchants include Cissi’s Market, Dagar’s Catering, Doña Emilia’s, Driskill Grill, Fête Accompli, Green Pastures, Portabla, Stortini, and Brownwood's The Turtle.

With this many wines on offer, don't forget our six rules of wine tasting:
1. Never judge a wine on the first sip.
2. Three to four small sips is enough - then dump the rest and move on.
3. Use bread or crackers to cleanse your palate between tables, and remember to eat.
4. Sometimes the importers or winemakers are actually pouring your wine! Take advantage of this, and ask questions - even if they are basic. You'll learn a ton.
5. Take notes on your favorites and ask where they are available locally.
6. Have a designated driver or a taxi number handy in case you imbibe too much.

Tickets for this event are $50 for Wine and Food Foundation members and $60 for non-members. Call 512-327-7555 to make reservations. For a complete list of wines on offer at the event, check out the lineup below.

Wines at Spring Fling 2008 (accurate as of 5/9/08):

Hahn Family Wines, Bin 36, Huntington, Cycles Gladiator, Robert Hall Winery, Yalumba, Nautilus Estate, Jim Barry, Quady Winery, Tomero, Vistalba, Innocent Bystander, d’Arenberg, Leeuwine Estate, Shoofly Wines, Chateau de St. Cosme, La Maison Verget, Château de Parenchere, Château Rauzan Segla, Bodegas Borsao, Casa Castillo, Bodegas Finca Antigua, Marques de Gelida, Bodegas Naia Rueda, Sierra Cantabria, Cartlidge and Browne, Au Bon Climat, Robert Keenan Winery, Château de Meursault, Pierre Chainier Sancerre, Héritage, Clos de l’Oratoire, Château Lagarosse, Steele Wines, Shooting Star, Writer’s Block, Salneval, Albariño Condes de Albarei, Cristalino, Conde de Valdemar, Chapel Hill Wine, Magpie Estate, Greystone Winery, Crinella Winery, Nord Estate Wines, Andrew Lane Wines, Avinyó, Xarmant, Biurko Gorri, Viña Sastre, Cosentino Winery, Crystal Valley Cellars, Serenity, Villa Magna, Maison Voirin Jumel, Domaine Dampt, Vins de Vienne, Domaine Paul Autard, Cantine Due Palme, Adelaida Cellars, Saxon Brown Wines, Old Plains, Boxhead (Clos Otto), Shinas Estate, First Drop Wines, Bodegas Olivares, Elio Perrone.