RENO, NV.- The Nevada Museum of Art presents its 25th annual A Taste For Art wine tasting and food pairing event on Friday, August 14 with a host of food and wine celebrities, selections from a variety of restaurants, live music and cooking demonstrations by Chef Sam Gugino, Wine Spectator’s food editor. Generously co-sponsored by International Gaming Technology (IGT), this year marks the return of the event to the Museum location where guests can enjoy its fine art atmosphere and award-winning architecture as it is filled with live music from the entrance to the roof. Divided into three events, this year features a Winemaker Dinner, hosted by Jennifer Bushman on Aug. 13, A Taste For Art tasting and pairing and the exclusive Tasting Plus vertical tasting and winemaker panel discussion.

Tastings from more than 25 wineries, representing the West Coast wine regions, will be paired with distinctive cuisine prepared by local chefs. An outdoor tasting tent, generously sponsored by Whole Foods Market, will be filled with delicacies from their catering, bakery and produce departments. A silent auction in the Reynolds Grand Hall provides participants the opportunity to bid on rare vintages, large format bottles, celebrity- and winemaker-signed bottles, a Burning Man travel package and more. Award-winning Chef Gugino will offer lively cooking demonstrations in the Prim Theater. During the 45-minute demonstrations, Gugino will take audience questions and explain how to prepare healthy, savory dishes even when time is short. His Low-Fat Cooking to Beat the Clock cookbook will be available for purchase and book signing throughout the evening.

Tasting Plus attendees enjoy early admission to the event and an exclusive vertical tasting paired with food by Charlie Palmer’s Steakhouse in the Founders’ Room. Tasting Plus ticket holders also gain private access to a winemakers’ discussion panel led by Christian O’Kuinghttons, Sommelier at the Atlantis Casino, with highly-regarded winemakers Ric Forman of Forman Vineyard (one of Robert Parker’s “ten most influential people in the wine industry); Gary Brookman of Miner Family Vineyards; Ray Coursen of Elyse Winery; and Barry Waitte of Tamber Bey Vineyards. The panel will discuss the impact of climate change on wine making in the 21st Century in the Napa and Central Valleys.