A New England wine and food event, returns to Mohegan Sun Saturday, January 30th and Sunday, January 31, 2010.

The weekend’s main event is the Grand Tasting, which will be held in the Convention Center from 12:00pm to 5:00pm on Saturday, January 30th and Sunday, January 31st. Sample more than 1,000 fine wines provided by international wineries and specialty beers from breweries Wine Fest -10-logo on bite of the Bestand beer companies from around the world. Exhibitors showcasing related services —  wine storage, culinary accessories and specialty foods — will also be featured. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, hear commentary from the winemakers and experts, and enjoy delicacies from some of the region’s finest restaurants by purchasing tasting portions of signature dishes.

Tickets for the Grand Tasting — $70.00 for a one-day pass,  $110.00 for a weekend pass — are on sale at the Mohegan Sun Box Office and through Ticketmaster (visit www.ticketmaster.com, call 800.745.3000, or visit any Ticketmaster outlet). A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

– guest contributor