Columnist Muriel Stevens: UNLV wine-tasting event has aged well

Friday, March 26, 2004 | 8:21 a.m.

When UNLVino takes place in the Bally's Event Center on May 1, it will mark the 30th year of this exceptional fund-raiser.

Las Vegas was a different place when UNLVino was conceived in 1974.

UNLV's College of Hotel Administration, as it was known, had not yet become the force it is today. According to Dr. Jerry Vallen, founding dean of the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, "I am proud and amazed; proud that I was there at the very beginning of UNLVino, and am amazed that the celebration has been sustained for 30 years."

Vallen recalls the introduction of UNLVino in an excerpt from a history of UNLV's College of Hotel Administration, "The Right Place," that he has written with Flossie Vallen (his spouse). This soon-to-be-released book chronicles UNLVino from its inception.

It was through the wine class at the university that the city's wine distributors became acquainted with the Hotel College. Among them was Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada senior managing director Larry Ruvo, the originator of UNLVino and still its chief sponsor.

"I had a complaint one summer from a wine buyer whose bottle had gone bad after she left it in the trunk of her car while she went shopping. I felt we had to improve wine education; she wouldn't have treated ice cream that way," said Ruvo. "With a handshake over lunch, Dr. Vallen and I had an agreement. I just wanted to do it exclusively. It would help the school, the consumer, the company and, frankly, I thought it was a good community service."

Through the years ticket prices increased from $3 to $75 at the door. As the event grew, so did the demand for tickets. This outstanding event, which includes wine tasting and an auction, has raised large amounts of money for scholarships to the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration.

It is also a three-credit college class, "TCA 376B -- Interactive Hospitality Marketing." Twenty-five exceptional students, the future leaders of the hospitality industry, devote an entire semester to preparing for the day of the Grand Tasting. UNLVino gives them hands-on experience in running this remarkable event.

The Interactive Hospitality class came about in 1999, when the college realized it needed a team of students to take the lead on all aspects of UNLVino. The class is taught by professor Mohsen Azizsoltani, who is ably assisted by Chef Jean Hertzman of the Culinary Arts Management Program, professor David Corsun and professor Billy Bai. Azizsoltani also coordinates the interaction between UNLV and Southern Wine & Spirits and directs the students during the Grand Tasting. He is a very busy man!

Last year more than 125 suppliers poured more than 700 wines created by 325 wineries from around the world. This makes UNLVino one of America's largest single-day wine tastings. Since its creation by Ruvo, UNLVino has raised millions of dollars for scholarships and student activities at the college.

"The wine tasting wasn't designed as the largest continuing scholarship source for the college -- and most likely for the entire university," said Dr. Jerry Vallen. "But it became just that. It is probably the most unusual endowment ever given to any university."

Tickets for "Taking a Sip for Scholarship" can be purchased in advance by calling 793-3267 or going online at www.unlvtickets.com or at the Thomas & Mack Center box office, Artemus Ham Hall box office or the UNLV bookstore. Grand Tasting tickets are $50 in advance, $75 at the door. Grand Tasting hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Designated Drivers is on hand at every event at no charge to the guests. No one has to drink and drive.

Log on to www.unlvino.com for a calendar of "world-class" wine tastings, dinners, parties, seminars and more scheduled throughout April. It's all part of the 30th anniversary celebration.

More UNLVino: Assembled annually by Southern Wine & Spirits, suppliers come from all over the world to attend UNLVino. "They pay their own airfare, hotel room, car rental and meals," Ruvo points out, adding, "They are away from families and businesses for at least two days, they endure eight to 10 hours of standing and talking as they give away their wines, and they keep returning because the tasting is well-organized and meaningful despite the huge crowds."

Andrew and Brook Bradbury wed on Coconut Beach, Hans Lollick Island: It was a wedding to be remembered when Aureole Wine Director Andrew Vadjinia married Brook Bradbury on Coconut Beach, Hans Lollick Island, an uninhabited span of beach between St. John and St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands). In a lovely tilt of tradition, Andrew took Brook's surname, Bradbury. The groom is also the creator of the Aureole eWine Book and is co-owner of the elegant 55 Degrees wine shop at Mandalay Place.

Friends Sandy Hill and Tom Dittmer hosted the exotic event. It was a scene out of the Arabian Nights. An open-sided wedding tent was flown in from India and set up on the beach. The bride wore a Roberto Cavalli pale-blue gown that complemented her delicate blonde hair and fair complexion. The barefooted groom was resplendent in khakis and a white Gian-Franco Ferre shirt.

The small party of guests arrived by boat from the hosts' homes on St. Thomas and St. John., 30 minutes away.

After the ceremony the tent floor was covered with rattan. A low table was set on the rattan and surrounded with colorful, oversized pillows. The exquisite flowers, sprays of orchids, were flown in from Puerto Rico.

A four-course wedding luncheon was created by the hosts' personal chef, who also cooked for the guests throughout the posh weekend extravaganza.

The menu: Beluga caviar in roasted potato skins; chilled fava bean soup with truffled cream; Maine lobster (flown in for the wedding) with green curry mayonnaise, roasted tomato chutney and cumin-roasted new potato salad; and artisanal cheeses and tropical fruits and toasted sourdough crisps.

The wines: Tattinger, Andre Masson Collection Series, Brut 1982; FX Pichler Riesling Smaragd "Loibner Berg" Austria 2001; Muller-Catoir Riesling Spatlese Trocken "Haardter Burgergarten" Germany 1998; "Trio of Kracher" Kracher Grand Cuvee #10, Welsch- riesling #11, Scheurebe #12.

A lemon curd apricot wedding cake and handmade chocolates were a luscious finale.

Still to come: a party in Las Vegas in June, followed by a belated honeymoon in the South Pacific.

Short orders

Demers at Rampart Casino at The Resort at Summerlin: Michael Demers is the new executive chef of the upscale Carmel Room at Rampart Casino. Luc Akellino, executive director of food and beverage, said, "Guests will be delighted with Demers' new additions to the Carmel Room menu." Demers trained at Johnson & Wales culinary school and worked at many fine restaurants, including Alize at the Palms. One of his most profound culinary experiences was being mentored by the late, great culinary genius, Chef Jean-Louis Palladin, at Napa restaurant at The Rio. During his five-year tenure Demers served as Chef de Cuisine and helped facilitate 15 James Beard Foundation dinners.

Crustacean wine dinner date change: Crustacean Las Vegas/Prana Lounge has rescheduled the date of the gourmet dinner and tasting of wines from Simi Winery Sonoma. Originally scheduled for April 3, the new date is April 5. Executive Chef Helene An will offer a five-course menu of her original specialities. An family signature dishes are made with the family's secret recipe sauces. This is the first in a monthly series of epicurean wine dinners at Crustacean. Reservations are required. The price, $75, is all-inclusive. For more information call 650-0507.

Sam's Town celebrates: Sam's Town Hotel & Casino on Boulder Highway will celebrate its silver anniversary with special deals and events throughout April. On April 3 and 4, Firelight Buffet will offer brunch and dinner at the 1979 price of $6.49. That's just one good deal among many that will be available through the end of the year. For more info call 456-7777 or visit www.samstownlv.com.