Island this summer for the inaugural Bermuda Wine Classic.

Leading names such as Moet & Chandon, Heitz Cellars and Kendall-Jackson will be among those attending the three-day event, which is being organised by local wine importer Cosmopolitan Liquors.

Over 100 different wines from all over the world will be on display at the Princess Hotel, Pembroke, on June 4, 5 and 6.

The Classic will include wine tastings, cooking demonstrations and a series of four lectures on wine production, variety and enjoyment.

On the last day a brunch and auction of fine wines is being held to raise money to establish a scholarship fund for young Bermudians wishing to pursue a career in food and beverage management at Bermuda College.

Among the items to be auctioned are three magnums of Joe Heitz's Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, considered to be the most famous of its type in America. They will be signed by the world-renowned Mr. Heitz.

A magnum of this wine normally retails for about $150.

Mr. Michael Robinson, president of Cosmopolitan, said: "There has never been a wine event like this in Bermuda before. Even I've been surprised at the wonderful response from wineries we've asked to participate. Some of the bottles coming in for the auction are really quite remarkable.'' Although the Bermuda wine market is small by world standards, with annual sales of between $15 and $20 million annually or about 150,000 cases, Mr.

Robinson said winery owners regarded the Island as an important place to display their wines.

This has been borne out by the number of leading wine executives, including those from Chile and France, who have been prepared to fly here to speak at Cosmopolitan's various wine/dinners held over the last 12 months.

"I fully realised the respect they treat Bermuda with when my wife, Gay, and I arrived in Paris where there was a chauffeur-driven limousine at the airport to take us 90 miles to a vineyard,'' said Mr. Robinson.

"With half a million visitors coming here every year, Bermuda is considered to be a shop window of the world and the wineries realise this. "There's no better way of showcasing their product than in Bermuda, with its whole ambiance of beauty, cleanliness, fine restaurants, relaxation and romance.'' Some of the best wines are available in Bermuda. Fourways Inn, in Paget, for example, is considered to have one of the finest wine cellars of any restaurant in the world.

Mr. Robinson said there was a healthy market for wine among both tourists and local residents, particularly with Bermuda's international business executives.

At Cosmopolitan's last wine-tasting held last month, 150 people paid $85 a head to attend a dinner at the Cafe Lido restaurant to celebrate the 250th anniversary of champagne manufacturer of Moet & Chandon. Another 70 people had to be turned away.

Mrs. Gay Robinson, who organises these special events for Cosmopolitan, said there had been a good response to the Bermuda Wine Classic. "It's generated a tremendous amount of interest among the public,'' she said. "We're getting very positive feedback.''