Wine and food event at Carillon Park raises funds for charity

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By Meredith Moss,

Staff Writer

Updated 10:38 PM Sunday, May 22, 2011

DAYTON — An estimated 1,200 patrons picked up plates and wine glasses Sunday afternoon on their way into Fleurs et Vin, Dayton’s largest wine and food event.

The three-hour party, which featured 23 restaurants and more than 300 wines from around the world, was held at Carillon Historical Park and raised funds for Culture Works and the AIDS Resource Center of Ohio. Thousands of bottles of wine were on display.

Donning sundresses and shorts for the sunny day, attendees paid $60 each to make their way from station to station, sipping pinot noirs and moscatos, and sampling cuisine ranging from barbecue brisket and grilled salmon to tomato bread pudding and paella. Continuing entertainment was provided by JT Fedrick/Sax Groove, a jazz, pop and Motown band.

“It’s a great social event, you get to taste some of the best wines out there, and it acquaints you with some of the new restaurants in town,” said Carolyn Jacob of Springboro, who labels herself, “a red person who also likes bubbly.” She said she took notes at last year’s event, then sought out wines she’d liked at local wine stores.

Jennny and Zach Otto of Kettering were toasting their fifth anniversary at a quiet table away from the crowds. The Fleurs et Vin, they said, was an anniversary gift to one another and a few hours away from the kids. They already had vowed to return next year.

Lisa Grigsby, special events director for AIDS Resources, said the original idea was to “get wine out of the snobby world and just throw a party.” She estimated about 70 percent of those who attend have come in the past.

That was the case for Mary Wilson and Bob Salerno of Miamisburg who said they usually were the first in line.

“It starts summer for us,” said Salerno, who has been interested in wine for more than 30 years and likes “the flavor, the smell and the experience of drinking with friends.” While waiting for the event to begin, Salerno was happy to share advice with first-timers Brian and Donna Williams of Cincinnati.

“The wine will be there all day, so eat first!” he advised.

The festive event was started 21 years ago by Vail Miller, president of Heidelberg Distributing Co., and Mif Frank, owner of Arrow Wine. Frank said he has watched both the tents and the crowds “grow tremendously” over the past two decades.

“In the first years none of the restaurants wanted to participate, so we had to run out and buy finger sandwiches,” he recalled. “Now they clamor to be included.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2400 or [email protected].

Article source: http://www.daytondailynews.com/wine-and-food-event-at-carillon-park-raises-funds-for-charity-1166738.html