Alto's New Concept Parties Hit the Mark

Online, October 6, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The Cape Town leg of the Alto Red & Black Lounge Party, in partnership with City Press and Heart FM, held at the Alto Wine Estate on Thursday 29th September was an evening of style, glamour and fine cuisine as some of the country's top Sommeliers and media industry movers and shakers arrived dressed to theme for a night of Alto's fine wines paired with great cuisine.

Included on the guest list were some of the Western Cape's top Sommeliers, including Pearl Oliver, from Balthazar, Dominic Bowers, resident Sommelier at the Southern Sun's Table Bay Hotel and Greg Mutambe, Resident Sommelier at the award-winning 12 Apostles Hotel.

Says Gregory Mutambe, Cape Sommelier at the 12 Apostles Hotel: "I was so impressed with the intimate and glamorous setting created in the Alto Wine Cellar; the evening was really special. I felt really privileged to be included. Alto Estate's wines really are a step apart; one can understand why they're so iconic; especially the Alto Port".

On arrival, guests were served Alto Rouge 2008 while the sun set over the vineyards and Safika played smooth Jazz. Guests were seated in the Alto Wine Cellar while Heart FM's Irma G played a welcome set of House Classics. CEO of the Cape Wine Academy, Marilyn Cooper, welcomed dinners as the Plated Starters of Oak smoked duck breast, wilted Asian greens drizzled with hot & sour sesame dressing and garnished with bean sprouts was served with the Alto Cabernet Sauvignon 2008.

"The Alto Red & Black Lounge Party is an ideal opportunity for Cape Sommeliers to experience Alto Wine Estate's fine range of red wines paired with various food combinations. A key objective of the dinner parties is to introduce Alto's iconic wines to new markets," comments Marilyn Cooper, CEO of the Cape Wine Academy and co-owner of the Soweto Wine Festival.

For the main course, the Alto Shiraz 2006 was paired with Grilled filet of beef served with rosemary Jus, Potato Galette baked with onion, parsley and feta cheese and seasonal vegetable parcel. For dessert, the delicious Alto Port 2006 was perfectly accompanied by Rosemary shortbread with summer fruit and cheese stack and roasted nut praline.

The exclusive Alto Red & Black Wine Lounge Parties concept is the brainchild of Cape Legends Wine Marketing team. The Alto Red & Black Lounge Party concept was initially created to introduce Alto iconic wines to Movers and Shakers in 3 South African cities, namely Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

Says Dawn Cameron, Gagasi FM National Sales Manager and co-host of the Alto Red & Black Lounge Party hosted at the Oyster Box hotel in Durban: "We partnered with Alto Wine Estate as they symbolise the changing dynamics of wine drinkers in our country - and ultimately appeal to the top-end of our listenership. These dinners give us opportunities to connect with leaders in the hospitality sector while entertaining our top clients."

By invitation only, each Alto Red & Black Lounge Party is an evening to remember with only 25 couples personally invited and treated to an Alto-evening to remember. Each party is held at a 5-star venue with a rich historical significance, with opulent red, black and gold decor, delicious 5-star cuisine, and celebrated with live jazz bands and prominent local DJs. Guests arrive dressed to theme in red and black. Each dinner course is paired with the perfect Alto wine to enhance the dining experience and presented by Cape Wine Master Marilyn Cooper to create an engaging 'edutaining' experience for guests.

At each party venue, the banquet dinner setting and ambiance is symbolic of the iconic status of Alto wines and the Alto Estate. In Johannesburg, the impressive Randlords venue was chosen for its beautiful setting and skyline, and in Durban, it was the royal of all hotels, the iconic Oyster Box Hotel.

Says Gwen Job, Brand Manager at Alto Wine: "This first year was to introduce Alto wines to the early adopters, the influencers within the 3 cities to see how they enjoyed the fabulousness of our wines catered to 5 star cuisine and 5 star venues. Next, we are opening the concept up to the public. It will still be invitation only though, so watch this space."

Alto is the oldest red wine estate in South Africa and is well known for its impressive collection of classically-styled reds and which have won the Alto Estate more than 70 gold medals in open competition with the best wines in the world.