Morrow, Lucas win grand wine prize

MORROW

Joy Morrow and Jim Lucas of Port Aransas have won the grand prize in a contest sponsored by Country Lifestyle magazine and the San Antonio New World Wine & Food Festival.

Morrow submitted a poem she wrote that landed her and Lucas the grand prize.

"Joy's poem was selected for its fun approach to the festival -- and the event is all about fun, exploration and learning more about fine wine and fantastic food," said Country Lifestyle's Jeanne Janes.

The grand prize is a four day, three night stay for two in San Antonio at the Omni La Mansion del Rio Hotel, plus two VIP passes to the San Antonio New World Wine & Food Festival including a wine seminar, winemaker dinner, The Grand Tasting and Totally Tejas. The festival is Nov. 7 - 11.

Food and wine lovers celebrate a world of flavors during the festival that features internationally renowned vintners, top Texas wine producers and the hottest chefs from San Antonio and Argentina at a variety of culinary and wine-tasting events at locations throughout the city.

From winemaker lunches to a black-tie affair, each day features a full slate of food and wine events, with many taking place at some of the areas most renowned restaurants.

Each year, the festival presents a special exploration of the wines and cuisine of one New World country. This year's focus is Argentina, including regional cuisines and wines from the Malbec grape, the wine most closely associated with Argentina.

The flavors of Argentina will be woven throughout many festival events and will take center stage at events such as The Black Tie, Friday Nov. 9, at the Omni La Mansión del Rio. This affair features several distinguished Argentine winemakers, including Michael Mondavi, John Jordan and more, all offering some of their best wines alongside Argentina-inspired food created by chefs from Argentina and San Antonio.

One of the festival highlights is the New World Grand Tasting at The Lodge Restaurant of Castle Hills on Saturday, Nov. 10. The Grand Tasting offers a sample of the best tastes of the festival, with celebrity chefs and winemakers presenting their favorites.

The festival also offers a familyfriendly event, Totally Tejas, at the Rio Cibolo Ranch on Sunday Nov. 11. The event combines wine and food with hands-on demonstrations, crafts, hayrides, river barge rides and story telling.

Morrow's winning poem, limited to 20 words or less, is:

To "New World Wine & Food" and the Mansion, Omni via "Country Lifestyle"

Let us win it for FREE!!

In submitting her entry, Morrow wrote, "We love fine vino and gourmet cuisine and over indulgence and tumultuous enthusiasm are our middle names. We'd be great winners! Festively, hungrily and thirstily yours, Joy Morrow and Jim Lucas."