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The city's biggest wine event is less than a month away -- the Winnipeg Wine Festival runs from April 29 to May 5, and features Ontario and British Columbia as the theme regions. There are piles of ancillary events taking place throughout the week, as well as the big weekend public tastings -- check out www.winnipegwinefestival.com for the recently released details.

I'll have more info on the fest as it approaches, but in the meantime, here are some other wine-related events coming up over the next month or so...

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The Fairmont Winnipeg has an interesting promotion for those looking for a unique wine and food experience. Chef Michael Fitzhenry is presenting a Chef's Table on Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m at the Velvet Glove in the Fairmont Winnipeg. This multi-course meal comes without a menu -- Fitzhenry will create dishes based on the best ingredients on the market that day. Sommelier Tiffany Gustafson will choose wine pairings based on the chef's inspirations; $120 per person plus taxes and gratuities covers it all. Reservations are required -- call 985-6255 to book the Chef's Table.

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Moving beyond the city limits, Manitoba Liquor Marts are once again presenting the Portage la Prairie Wine Tasting on Thursday, April 12, at the William Glesby Centre. Sixty-four wines will be sampled at this annual event, with funds raised going toward the centre. The event runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m.; tickets are $25 (taxes included) and are available at the Portage la Prairie Liquor Mart.

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On Monday, April 16, Forum Art Centre and Kenaston Wine Market are presenting A Taste of Art, an evening of food, wine and art at the private wine store (located at Grant and Kenaston). Wine will be paired with the art displayed at the event, and artists and Kenaston's wine experts will be on hand to answer questions. The event runs from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. -- tickets are $40 plus taxes and are available by calling Kenaston Wine Market at 488-9463.

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G.J. Andrews presents An Evening in France on Thursday, April 19, starting at 6:30 p.m. While you'll be surrounded by all things aviation-related, your feet will be firmly planted in Winnipeg while experiencing the flavours of France. The multi-course meal features French wine paired with each dish, musical entertainment and more. And the plane part? Well, the event's at Hangar T2 (958 Ferry Rd), home to the Western Canadian Aviation Museum. Tickets are $95 -- to get yours, call 487-7300.

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If you like seafood, you might want to circle Thursday, May 17, on your calendar, as the Winnipeg Winter Club (200 River Rd.) will play host to an evening of crustaceans and wine. There will be all sorts of shellfish for landlubbers to try with a cross-section of wines (which I expect will be predominately white wines, with the odd lighter red in there as well). The event starts at 6:30 -- tickets are $80 by contacting Darren at 335-4330 or by email at raeside@mymts.net.

And hey -- whatever wine-related event(s) you decide to attend, make sure you arrange for a ride home or take a cab.

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BODEGAS MONTECILLO 2008 CRIANZA (Rioja, Spain -- $16.45, Liquor Marts and beyond)

As per Spanish regulations, this Tempranillo sees at least a year in oak barrels before bottling. Dried cherry, leather, cocoa, raspberry and light barnyard aromas are classically Rioja. It's a medium-bodied red that's chock full of dried cherry, cranberry, earth, raisin and plum flavours, with light acidity and tannin. A great value food wine. 88/100

MULLINEUX 2009 KLOOF STREET (Swartland, South Africa -- around $24, private wine stores)

This South African red is predominately Syrah, with four other Rh¥ne Valley grapes in the mix as well. There's some telltale South African smokiness on the nose, with black cherry, leather, white pepper, spice and rubber aromas in there as well. Medium-plus-bodied and juicy, the black cherry comes through loud and clear (and ripe) on the palate, with white pepper, caramel, blackberry jam and intensely smoky flavours tightly wound in chewy tannin. It needs some big meat/game to tame things here. Picked up at Banville and Jones. 87/100

MICHEL CHAPOUTIER 2010 MARIUS WHITE (Pays D'Oc, France -- $13.95, Liquor Marts and beyond)

This blend of the relatively obscure Terret and Vermentino grapes is quite pale in colour, bringing fairly complex aromas: waxiness, light minerality, pear, peach skin and floral notes. Light-plus-bodied, the Marius white is quite juicy, with ripe red apple notes on the palate, as well as peach, melon and floral flavours. The acidity brings a liveliness to this white as well -- it's an excellent value and would work well with lighter fish dishes, pasta in a cream sauce or light cheeses. 89/100

uncorked@mts.net

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Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 7, 2012 E4