Wilmette man aims to set world record for largest virtual wine tasting
From Nov. 24, 2017, to Jan. 31, 2018, Wilmette's Bill Bucklew walked from Tybee Island, Georgia, to San Diego in 67 days, setting a speed record for walking across America.
He raised $120,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation in the process.
Now he'll attempt to create another record - one for the world's largest virtual wine tasting.
Chairman of Uncorked Adventures, Bucklew will join online marketplace Wine Insiders for Uncorking a Cure, a virtual wine tasting event at 8 p.m. Nov. 5. It will raise money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Parkinson's Foundation.
"As a person living with Parkinson's, I know firsthand how critical it is to support this research," Bucklew said in a release.
"In addition to fundraising, this event is about bringing people together across America. These are difficult times, and we could all use a chance to relax, unwind and de-stress," he said.
Fernando Beteta - one of 236 master sommeliers in the world - 2020 Jean Banchet award-winner Aaron McManus and Ryan Baldwin, former head sommelier at Margeaux Brasserie in Chicago, have picked three must-try bottles for this event.
Registered participants can purchase and taste these wines with the experts as they share food-pairing choices, wine tips, fun stories and answer questions. The hourlong tasting will be held over Zoom, though people can join from any device with an internet connection.
Guests can donate to both charities and receive a ticket to the event or order a 3-, 6 or 12-pack of wine, priced to move, to receive complementary registration. A portion of those proceeds also will be donated to the Parkinson's and Michael J. Fox foundations. Wines must be ordered by Oct. 30.
Registration and information is available at explore.wineinsiders.com/virtual-wine-tasting-for-parkinsons. Questions on the wines or the event may be directed by email to info@wineinsiders.com.
If Bucklew and Wine Insiders are able to establish a world record, each participant will be eligible to receive a certificate in recognition of it.
"Bill has been a close friend of the Wine Insiders family for years, and we're honored to help him break this next record," said Louis Amoroso, of Lake Forest, president of Drinks, Wine Insiders' parent company.