Wine Tasting To Benefit Scholarships

BETHEL — A Holiday Wine Tasting Extravaganza will be held at Western Connecticut State University on Sunday, November 12, from 3 to 7 pm. This annual event benefits student scholarships at the university.

The first event of this type last November raised over $10,000 for the university. More than 300 area residents attended, enjoying a wonderful afternoon of great wine, food, and jazz.

This year the program has been expanded to include over 125 different wines from around the world with an expanded selection of California wines, which were very popular last year, according to Jennifer Caraluzzi, manager of Nutmeg Discount Liquors, who is sponsoring the event. “We will also be offering a great selection from Australia. They’re producing great wines and there is a lot of interest in them because of the Olympics.”

Nutmeg Discount Liquors in conjunctions with Bethel Food Market has organized this event as a part of a continuing commitment to the Western CT State University Student Scholarship Fund, a permanent endowment to the university. The Caraluzzi family created the fund with a $100,000 gift to the school last year. The donation was matched by the State of Connecticut with $50,000. The first scholarships are expected to be awarded to prospective students this June, 2001.

Tony Caraluzzi, Jr, son of Bethel Food Market founder Anthony Caraluzzi, said, “This year’s event will be even better than the first. We will continue our format of great food, mellow jazz, and good company. Our goal is to attract 400 people this year. The endowment fund is now in a position to help students who need tuition assistance. Perhaps this will help someone from the area start their own business.”

The Holiday Wine Tasting will be at Warner Hall at the University’s Midtown Campus on November 12, from 3 to 7 pm. Elegant hors d’oeuvres will be in abundance and have been donated by La Trattoria and Emerald City Café. Musical entertainment of the season will top off the afternoon. Donations are $35 and reservations can be made by calling 203/837-8298 before November 6.