Featured Cincinnati Wine Events: May 23-29

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Oh my goodness! The Featured Events are back! I even updated the events calendar! I only got through about half of June though, so please send me any events you run across and I'll make sure to add them immediately.

The thing I noticed most is a decrease in one-time events and an uptick in weekly events. This is partially because The Party Source is trying to happily monopolize your week, with a Toast to Tuesdays! (cocktails, starting in June), Wine'd Up Wednesdays, Thirsty Thursdays (beer & burgers), and Sunday Sips (wine)), and classes on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays. I miss the classes spread out through the week, but I like the lower cost – albeit more informal – options they're offering for the summer.

Of course, this weekend there is Taste of Cincinnati. It's the end-all be-all of Cincinnati food festivals and worth your time. I prefer to go on Sunday or Monday afternoons, as there seem to be less people. That said, this year we've got tickets for the Saturday night Reds game, so we're hitting Taste beforehand. If you see us, give us a shout! I guarantee you can find me by the Mecklenburg Gardens creme puffs – yum!

Don't forget that the Ohio wineries officially kick-off their summer tasting season this weekend. We like to start at Kinkead Ridge in Ripley, detour off to Meranda-Nixon and Lakeside Vineyards, then finish the day with music and a picnic at Harmony Hill in Bethel. We've even got a map of all the local wineries. Make sure to double-check with the individual winery web sites to verify tasting room hours.

Finally, if you're a fan of Chef Jean-Robert de Cavel, he'll be participating in the Dancing FOR the Stars benefit on Saturday night. He'll be dancing with a friend of mine, Doreen Beatrice. When I taught lindy hop and swing, I rented studio space from Doreen. I still regularly dance at her Step N Out Studio in Covington, so I just wanted to plug the event to support her and Jean-Robert! Good luck Doreen! Tickets are still available for the benefit at Music Hall and cost $50.

Other cool events this week include the following:

Saturday, May 23

Taste the HYPE Young Professional Event
Free beer and wine sampling with food and Taste of Cincinnati souvenir mug.
Music by Rusty Griswolds.
Fountain Square
7 pm – 11 pm
$40/couple, $25/single
Registration recommended.

Wednesday, May 27

ABCDEs of Wine Tasting
Taste and rate wines ranging from $10-$30 to find the winners. Paired with food.
The Wine Store
9905 Montgomery Road
6:30 pm
Cincinnati, OH 45242
$40/couple, $25/single
Reservations required.
513.984.9463

Thursday, May 28

Cooking Series @ Vito's Cafe: Cooking with the Chefs
Includes demonstration, tasting, and wine pairing with each course
Vito's Cafe
654 Highland Avenue
Fort Thomas, KY 41075
6 pm
$90 for three classes / $40 per class
Reservations required.
859.442.9444

Friday, May 29

Fashion Friday with Cincy Chic & Tino Vino
Wine, women and fashion from local designers and boutiques.
Tino Vino Vintners
3665 Erie Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45208
6 – 9 pm
For more information: 513.721.2445 or Cincy Chic

Cool Wine and Hot Jazz
Wine tasting, snacks, music, and more. Benefits Ault Park.
Ault Park
3600 Observatory Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45208
$30 pp, 6:30-9:30 pm
Registration required.