Celebration of Wine 2012

This weekend, wine lovers and fans of public radio flocked to the University of Florida’s Reitz Union for what we affectionally refer to as the [wine] event of the year: The Celebration of Wine, to benefit public radio station 89.1 WUFT-FM.

This year, the wine auction is in its 23rd year, but with a theme of the Grape Gatsby, it could just have easily been in 1923 (prohibition notwithstanding). After a delicious wine dinner at Paramount Grill on Saturday night, hosted by our friends at Opici Wines, our palettes were primed for an afternoon to rival the Great Gatsby. (Pictured: Roasted Beet Napoleon with Goat Cheese Mousse and Citrus Thyme Oil, paired with Martin Ray Pinot Noir Russian River Reserve.)

The main event (on Sunday) drew crowds of supporters to taste more than 300 wines in a room expertly decorated by Keith Watson Productions. Between tastings, guests bid on silent auction items and sampled treats from Mildred’s Big City Foods and the Wine & Cheese Gallery.

While this year’s “decadently good time” won’t return for another year, you can see more photos here—or create your own tasting by visiting the Wine & Cheese Gallery’s weekly tastings.

With a theme last year of “Vino Las Vegas,” we can’t wait to see what they’ll think of next! Proceeds from both the dinner and the live and silent auctions benefit local public radio stations WUFT-FM and WJUF-FM.

-MM