The Sixth Annual Florida International Wine Challenge Benefits Local Cancer Charities

Have a love for blending perfect wines with philanthropic endeavors like supporting cancer research? Here’s your chance to get a taste of more than 400 wines from 15 countries while supporting a cure for cancer. It’s time to start gearing up for the sixth annual Florida International Wine Challenge, taking place this summer on Thursday, June 24 and Friday, June 25 at The Palms Hotel & Resort. Presented by The Wine Marketing CompanyTM, Florida’s leading wine competition will bring together a wide expanse of the most respected and influential wine industry professionals from across the country.

An unlimited wine sampling will be presented to benefit the Florida Beast Cancer Foundation, whose mission is to end the disease through advocacy, education, and research. The Melanie Finley Ovarian Cancer Foundation, which raises money for Ovarian Cancer education while also providing direct financial assistance to young women diagnosed with the disease, will also be a beneficiary.

FIWC Executive Director Michael A. Schaefer recognizes the amount of talent, experience, and dedication one must uphold in order to maintain the skills to taste hundreds of wines in this type of environment and believes the team is up to the challenge. All wines will be graded based on a “Pass/Fail” round on the first day and during the second day wines will be graded for gold, silver, or bronze medals. All gold medals earned will move those wines onto the third round where they will be re-tasted and then onto a final round where the “Best-in-Show” will be awarded.

After the professional competition concludes, scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., wine tasting will be opened to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission per person is $60 per day or $100 for two days (not including dinner). To purchase tickets or for more information, please call 1-866-998-8466 (VINO) or visit www.fiwc.net.