Save the Date: Cotes du Coeur is April 10

Late Tuesday afternoon, I sat before a cozy fire in a private room at a local restaurant, trying to contain my excitement. I was learning details of a plan to bring Master Sommeliers from all over the country to Dallas for Cotes du Coeur.

If you’re not familiar with Cotes du Coeur or what it takes to become a Master Sommelier, you might not understand my feverish state. Cotes du Coeur is a wine-centered charity fundraiser held in Dallas each April that benefits the American Heart Association. It’s one of the premier wine events in the country.

To me, it’s like the World Series, only with everyone wearing black tie and drinking wine instead of playing baseball.

This year’s Cotes du Coeur is going to be particularly spectacular because the sommeliers at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse are taking leading roles in planning and orchestrating the event. Master Sommeliers Barbara Werley and Drew Hendricks are calling on their colleagues from across the country to attend and participate in Cotes du Coeur.

It takes years to become a Master Sommelier, and you have to have an encyclopedic knowledge of all things wine-related. There are only four Master Sommeliers in Texas and 103 in the entire country. A whole slew of them are coming to Dallas next April for Cotes du Coeur.

Since things are still in the early planning stages, tickets aren’t available yet. But it’s not too soon to start thinking about a designated driver—it promises to be an intoxicating affair.

I’ll have more to share with you as the gala grows closer. But save the date—April 10, 2010—and plan to attend. The event will be held at the Hilton Anatole and will be open to the public.

Rebecca Marmaduke is Cotes du Coeur Editor for EscapeHatchDallas and will be a frequent contributor.