The spring wine season in the Washington area is starting off with a serious one-two punch this weekend. Some of the highlights of the coming weekend in wine:
» MacArthur Beverages’ 22nd Annual California Barrel Tasting (Friday and Saturday): Be among the first to get a taste of “wines in progress” from what is expected to be a very good vintage from Napa and Sonoma valleys. This kicks off with a Vintner’s Dinner on Friday night ($350 per ticket) and two sessions of barrel tasting on Saturday, from 1 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. ($150 per session). Proceeds benefit the Addy and Bruce Bassin Memorial Cancer Research Fund. Events are at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 1330 Maryland Ave. SW. For information, visit www.bassins.com. To purchase tickets, call 202-338-1433 or 866-674-3716.
» The Eighth Annual Washington D.C. International Wine & Food Festival (Friday to Sunday): The festivities start Friday night with the exclusive Grand Cru Wine Lounge Opening Night Party (7 to 10 p.m.; $180), where top vintages of high-end wines will be poured to go with cuisine from hot local chefs. Representatives from more than 200 wineries will be pouring more than 1,000 wines at the Grand Tasting, which runs 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday (sold out) and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday ($80). There also are guided tastings and seminars being offered both days (Saturday sold out; Sunday $35 to $50). Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. For information or tickets, go online to www.dcwinefestival.com or call 800-343-1174.
» Strathmore Spring Wine Dinner (Friday): Organizers say this Mediterranean-inspired feast features wines from California, France and Italy. Tickets are $100 for members, $115 for nonmembers. Starts at 7 p.m. at the Comcast Circles Lounge at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Visit www.strathmore.org or call 301-581-5253.
» Wolf Trap’s “Art Uncorked” (Saturday): This is the Wolf Trap Foundation’s fourth annual art auction and wine tasting event featuring artwork from Broadway Galleries. It starts off with a buffet and the opportunity to purchase at a discount the wines being poured (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.), followed by a dessert and Champagne dance in the Barns (8:30 to 10 p.m.). The Center for Education at Wolf Trap, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna. Tickets are $100, and proceeds benefit Wolf Trap’s education programs. Go to www.wolftrap.org or call 703-255-4030.
Are you a restaurant, wine group or charity that’s hosting a wine event in the Washington area I should know about? Send your information via fax to Keith St. Clair at 202-459-4994 or e-mail to [email protected].
