Food and wine lovers will celebrate a world of flavors during the San Antonio New World Wine & Food Festival, Nov. 7 – 11, 2007. The festival will feature internationally renowned vintners, top Texas wine producers and the hottest chefs from San Antonio and Argentina at a variety of culinary and wine-tasting events.

From winemaker lunches to a black-tie affair, each day features a full slate of food and wine festivities, with many taking place at some of the areas most notable restaurants.

Now in its eighth year, the festival continues to showcase San Antonio as a premier food and wine destination. Festival events emphasize the flavors of the New World regions such as Texas, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean, while highlighting their roots in Old World countries and traditions.

Each year, the festival presents a special exploration of the wines and cuisine of one New World country. This year’s focus is Argentina, including regional cuisines and wines from the Malbec grape, the wine most closely associated with Argentina.

San Antonio River cruises will kick things off Wednesday, Nov. 7 beginning at 6 p.m. Cruises begin at the Hyatt with hors d’oeuvres by Bin 555, Boudro’s on the Riverwalk, Chaps Restaurant at the Hyatt and Chef Michael Flores of Mis En Place with additional eats and desserts, plus a sum-up seminar by all participating vintners.

The Cultural Cocktail, Friday Nov. 9 at 6 p.m., will feature Bon Appétit’s Senior Editor Heather John who will explore new twists on classic cocktails with help from local mixologists at the hip downtown bar The Vault.

Michael Green, Wine Consultant to Gourmet Magazine, will be the Master of Ceremonies at The Black Tie, Friday Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Omni La Mansión del Rio. This elegant affair features distinguished Argentine winemakers like Michael Mondavi, John Jordan and more, all offering some of their best wines alongside Argentine-inspired food.

The New World Grand Tasting, taking place at The Lodge Restaurant of Castle Hills on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m., will offer celebrity chefs and winemakers presenting their favorite flavors. The festival also offers a family-friendly event, Totally Tejas, at the Rio Cibolo Ranch on Sunday Nov. 11. This event, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., combines wine and food with hands-on demonstrations, crafts, hayrides, river barge rides and story telling. All other events are for adults 21 and over.

For more information on festival events or to order tickets, please visit www.nwwff.org or call (210) 822-9555.

For more information on visiting San Antonio for the festival, please call 1-800-ALAMO-07 or go to www.SanAntonioVisit.com.