Vino Patriotas

Although the United States has fallen behind other developed nations in education (ninth, according to the OECD), healthcare (37th, says WHO), and environmentalism (39th, per WEF), we can still out-booze our foreign enemies. According to the Beverage Information Group, the United States is expected to pass those cheese-smelling surrenderers, the French, in total wine consumption by 2010.And with Florida ranking number two among the 50 states, it’s up to us to bring home the victory. Your chance to guzzle for freedom comes this weekend at the seventh annual Miami International Wine Fair, where 1,500 wines from 15 countries will transform the Miami Beach Convention Center into a mass swill-in.

The small price to pay for world dominance begins at $65 and culminates at $105, the price at which the über-patriotic aficionado gains entry into the Collector’s Club Pavilion, home of the world’s most prestigious vintages. Tasting hours for Joe 750ml are only between 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, but seminars begin at 11:45 a.m. both days, and afterparties at Opium Garden (Saturday) and Hotel Victor (Sunday) sustain the buzz into the evening. Call 866-887-WINE, or visit www.miamiwinefair.com.
Sat., Oct. 25; Sun., Oct. 26, 2008