WINE & SPIRITS MAGAZINE LAUNCHES HOT PICKS NATIONAL EVENT TOUR Tastings of Critics’ Top 50 Value Picks to Kick Off in Seattle on August 23rd

San Francisco, CA, June 6, 2006) Wine & Spirits magazine has announced plans to present their Hot Picks national tour, a series of wine tasting events focused on 50 great wines selling for under $25. The first Hot Picks event will take place in Seattle on August 23rd at the Palace Ballroom from 6 to 9 pm.

This inaugural event will offer young Seattleites a taste of fifty great, affordable wines hand-selected by Wine & Spirits’ critics. Hot Picks also features local foods from top Seattle restaurants and the chance to rub elbows with six of Seattle’s most talented up-and-coming wine professionals. In keeping with the Wine & Spirits’ mission to raise awareness of water conservation issues, a portion of the event proceeds will benefit the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, who will also be on site during the festivities to offer hands-on volunteer opportunities and education about the region’s water quality.

According to Joshua Greene, publisher and editor of Wine & Spirits, “Wine is 85% water, and as water resources become threatened by development or misuse, we have become more proactive in working to protect a resource that is essential to sustainability in the wine industry. What better way to save water than to drink wine?”

The Hot Picks tasting event is scheduled to visit seven cities in the next two years, with a selection of the world’s most interesting and affordable wines and local foods; the events will bring recognition to America’s top young wine professionals as well as heightened awareness of water conservation. Host cities will include New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, among others. In Seattle, restaurant partners include Café Campagne, Monsoon and Union, while retail partners include Pike & Western, Portalis and The Spanish Table.

Tickets for this exclusive tasting will go on sale on July 5th. Tickets start at $50 (VIP level tickets are also available; all proceeds will go to the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance) and may be purchased at www.acteva.com/go/seattlehotpicks. Space is limited so advance purchase is recommended.

Founded in 1982, Wine & Spirits is published eight times a year and read by over 200,000 members of America’s wine community. Consumers and wine professionals read the magazine for information on wine and spirits, including articles on established and up-and-coming regions and producers, the art and science of viticulture, restaurant and industry happenings and food and wine pairing. Wine & Spirits is the only American wine publication to win the James Beard award three times for excellence in wine writing.

www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com