MONTAGE LAGUNA BEACH CONTINUES ITS WEEKLY WINE SEMINARS

Acclaimed Wine Series Sunday Afternoons at The Loft Bistro,
December - July

The Artistry of Wine at The Loft Bistro

LAGUNA BEACH, CALIF. - (December 14, 2009) - Montage Laguna Beach continues its latest series of insider wine tastings and seminars in The Loft Bistro at the oceanfront resort, offered Sundays from 2 - 4 p.m. December through July.

WHO:
All wine lovers welcome.

WHAT:
The Artistry Of Wine is an exciting wine education series that features tastings of different varietals and vintages from wine regions around the world. Seminars and tastings led by Montage sommeliers focus on wine themes ranging from "New Horizons" to "French Showcase."
A program calendar is included below.

WHEN:
Sundays, December 20, 2009 - July 25, 2010, 2 - 4 p.m.

WHERE:
The Loft Bistro at Montage Laguna Beach
30801 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA

WHY:
Montage's talented team of sommeliers want to share their enthusiasm for wine in a relaxed comfortable environment.

HOW:
$35 per person, space is limited. To reserve, please call 949-715-6420.


DECEMBER 20
Horizons
Where does the wine world go next? There are always new and experimental winemakers and techniques to be found. Let us show you the latest in cutting-edge winemaking.

JANUARY 10
New World Fruit and Spice
Australia has taken the Syrah grape and renamed it Shiraz. Enjoy some of the world's boldest, richest red wines that are bursting with fruit and spice flavors.

JANUARY 17
No Tasting, Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend

JANUARY 24
Green Wines
The number of wines available certified as organic and biodynamic is steadily growing, and include some of the world's most sought-after labels. No matter what grape variety, the wines display a purity of fruit and a distinct sense of place.

JANUARY 31
Bubbles - Prepare for Valentine's Day!
Whether it's the romance, the tickle of the bubbles or just the taste, the entire world is in love with sparkling wines. Virtually every country in the wine-producing world makes its own version. Delight in an assortment of sparkling wines from Champagne to Tasmania.

FEBRUARY 7
No Tasting, Superbowl Sunday

FEBRUARY 14
No Tasting, Valentine's Day/President's Day

FEBRUARY 21
Spanish Reds - New Wines from Old Vines
Modern techniques, new winemaking talent and seriously old vines combine to make Spain the country to watch in the coming years.

FEBRUARY 28
White Burgundy, North to South
Explore the white wines of Burgundy from North to South, and experience what these winemakers already know - real estate can mean everything.

MARCH 7
Red Burgundy, North to South
Join us as we examine the red wines of Burgundy, and see how the soils of the different villages can produce subtle and not-so-subtle differences in the wines.

MARCH 14
What's in a Name? Blends, Part 1
Bordeaux, Claret, Meritage: What do these wines have in common? Examine the various expressions of the Cabernet- and Merlot - based blends throughout the world.

MARCH 21
Zinfandel, An American Immigrant
Zinfandel is a unique American grape with roots as deep as the vines themselves. Allow us to showcase some of the finest examples crafted in the hills of California and compare them to Primitivo, the grape's European forefather.

MARCH 28
Rhône and the Rhône Rangers - Blends, Part 2
The Rhône Valley is the motherland of many grape varietals and wine styles. Enjoy some of these classics and explore how and where these grapes and styles have emigrated elsewhere in the world.

APRIL 4
No Tasting, Easter Sunday

APRIL 11
I Drank What? - Blends, Part 3
You've tried the classics. Now experience some examples of blends from cutting-edge winemakers who play their own rules with great result.

APRIL 18
Wines of Alsace - Rich and Aromatic Whites
Chardonnay isn't the only grape variety with incredible complexity. Taste a line-up of some of France's most noble white grapes. You may never crave Chardonnay again.

APRIL 25
New Zealand, Not Just Sauvignon Blanc
Yes, the New Zealanders built their wine reputation on producing vibrant and distinctive Sauvignon Blanc. Are there more wines coming from this magical destination? Join us to find out.

MAY 2
Mother's Day is Next Week - Celebrate Women in Wine
The average woman has more taste buds than a man, and some of the world's finest wines are made by women winemakers. Come taste handcrafted wines made from a woman's perspective. Gentlemen are also welcome.

MAY 9
No Tasting, Mother's Day

MAY 16
Hidden Treasures of the United States
Did you know that wine is made in all 50 states? Join us to find out why finely crafted American wine is not all about California, Oregon and Washington.

MAY 23
Artisan Saké
Saké is said to have originated in China in 4800 B.C. Today there are roughly 1,800 saké breweries producing more than 40,000 types of saké. Raise a glass (or two) and taste the nearly 7,000 years of tradition behind this incredible artisanal drink.

MAY 30
No Tasting, Memorial Day Weekend

JUNE 6
Drink Pink!
Rosés are a favorite among winemakers the world over. Find out why these wines pair well with a simple warm summer day on the ocean.

JUNE 13
Chardonnay - You Know You Want it
From lean and steely to generous and decadent, it's easy to understand why this wine is produced throughout the world in so many regions and styles. Try a few with us, and forget what you think you know about this wine.

JUNE 20
No Tasting, Father's Day

JUNE 27
Riesling - The most noble grape variety
To many wine lovers, Riesling is the epitome of white wine. From bone dry to sticky sweet, Riesling comes in a myriad of styles that reflect its origins more so than any other grape variety. See why we are passionate about this wine.

JULY 4
No Tasting, Independence Day

JULY 11
French Showcase
French wine styles are often the goal of winemakers worldwide. Help us celebrate France's upcoming Bastille Day by experiencing wines from French regions whose names are synonymous with style and quality.

JULY 18
Comfort Food
Indulge in New World Cabernet Sauvignon, from Napa Valley to Washington to Australia. This dense and dark wine speaks for itself as an easy to love glass of juice.

JULY 25
South Africa
South Africa is the home to a truly unique grape variety, Pinotage. Its wine heritage goes much deeper. Try some incredible wines from this very respected wine-producing country.

About Montage Laguna Beach
Montage, set on a coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific in the heart of the vibrant arts community of Laguna Beach, offers 30 acres of oceanfront luxury. The 250-room craftsman-style resort features beachfront accommodations; a 20,000-square-foot spa; destination dining at Studio; a wealth of outdoor recreation, including three pools, beach and water sports; a fine art collection; and more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. For information and reservations, please contact Montage, toll-free, at 1-888-715-6700; or visit the Web site at
www.montagelagunabeach.com.

About Montage Hotels & Resorts
Montage Hotels & Resorts is a hotel and resort management company founded in 2002 by Alan Fuerstman. Designed to serve affluent travelers and homeowners, the company features an artistic collection of distinctive hotels, resorts and residences in stunning settings that offer comfortable elegance, a unique sense of place and spirit, impeccable hospitality and memorable culinary, spa and lifestyle experiences. Montage Laguna Beach, the company's flagship oceanfront resort, opened in the vibrant arts community of Laguna Beach, California, in 2003. Montage Beverly Hills, the company's second hotel, opened in Beverly Hills in 2008 and is the first Gold LEED certified hotel and residences in Southern California. Other properties under development include Montage Deer Valley® in Park City, Utah, scheduled to open in 2010, and an oceanfront resort and residences with championship golf course coming soon in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. www.montagehotels.com

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