The USA market is an international trendsetter and it’s a priority market to Wines of Portugal. Focusing on promotion of Portuguese wines in the Horeca channel and wine sector professionals, Wines of Portugal will be present in these two important events, both in New York. To strengthen Portuguese wines and food pairing and highlight the quality of Portuguese wines in the USA market, especially in the Horeca channel, are the main reasons to ViniPortugal’s participation in the International Chefs Congress 2013. This is a three-day culinary event that gathers over 140 well-known chefs, foodies, bartenders and sommeliers, who present their new creations to attendees. The event also features several wine&food workshops and presentations. Viniportugal is involved in 3 event initiatives which are closely related to wine, in order to promote Portuguese wines and food pairing: • Portuguese Wines & Food Pairing Seminar: a lecture featuring a Chef and a Sommelier, targeted to 60 wine professionals. It’s an opportunity to show Portuguese wines to US market key players. • Sommelier Slam: it’s one of the main International Chefs Congress events. It’s a three-day competition to elect the best sommelier in the event. 15 Portuguese wines are included in the challenges to discover the best sommelier and the sommeliers in competition should blind taste several wines, pair food and wine, among other tasks. • Sommelier Bar: opportunity to taste wines from all over the world, including Portuguese wines. A sommelier will be there only promoting Portuguese wines. Wines of Portugal will also be present in the American Cancer Society Wine & Spirits Gala next 7th October, as official sponsor. Wines of Portugal quality and world of difference will be present to wine professionals and opinion makers, in one of the most prestigious events for wine professionals in the USA. The ceremony will be held at The Pierre in New York, starting at 6.30pm. Every year several wine buyers and retailers, wine shops and restaurants managers from New York and other states attend the American Cancer Society Wine & Spirits Gala The Portuguese Wines & Food Pairing seminar will play an important role to promote Portuguese wine and highlight the wines versatility when pairing them with food.