An Interesting Wine Event

A couple days ago I got a note from John Bojanowski at Clos du Gravillas. This native Louisvillian has been living in southern France for the last 11 years growing grapes and making organic wines alongside his French wife Nicole. This week John will return to Louisville, along with some wines that will be making their Louisville debut. It sounds like some good stuff is coming out of Clos du Gravillas and this might be worth checking out!

Clos du Gravillas Wine Pouring
Friday, November 6 5:00-7:00 pm
Liquor Barn Springhurst
4301 Towne Center Drive
Louisville, KY 40241

Crepes for a good cause!

My fellow foodie and writer Dana McMahan has landed a two-week writing residency at Kitchen-at-Camont. I had never heard of Kitchen-at-Camont, but after reading about it I think it's one of the coolest things ever. I'm so happy for (and envious of) Dana!

In order finance her trip to France, she's throwing a crepe brunch fundraiser for herself. Is that not the best idea ever? Come eat crepes, donate what you can, and send a fellow foodie off to two weeks in paradise. Here's the invitation.

I've never actually met Dana, but I'm a fan of her blog and her joie de vivre. I'm looking forward to eating crepes for her benefit!

Events!

Okay, here are some happenings that are on the Blog Tartare radar. They are also now on the Blog Tartare Google Calendar. If you have any hot tips, let me know!

Organic Wine Tasting at Gemelli
Feb 19 & 21, 6:30 pm
This month the tasting series will explore organic wine, and winemaking. Two classes are available: Tuesday, February 19th, and Thursday February 21st. Each class is from 6:30-7:30pm. $15 per person. Class is limited to 16 people, reservations required.

Gemelli Wine & Spirits
3626 Brownsboro Rd
502 895.1400

Huber Winery Wine Tasting at RockWall Bistro
Feb 20, 6:30 pm
Ted Huber from Huber Winery will be at the Rockwall on Wednesday February 20th for a wine tasting. Chef Alex Bomba will create appetizers to accompany the wines. $25. Call for reservations.

RockWall Bistro
3426 Paoli Pike
New Albany IN
812 948-1705

Sushi in the City
March 4, 5:30 pm
This is the event that I'm super excited about, but I might be out of town for it! If I am, I think I will cry. My two favorite sushi places, Sakura Blue and Maido, are participating. From the release:

Louisville’s top sushi chefs are sharpening their knives for a "roll off," a fund-raising competition in which one chef will reign supreme, at Sushi in the City, set for Tuesday, March 4, from 5:30-9 p.m. at The Henry Clay, Third and Chestnut streets. Participants will taste and vote for their favorites to select the Best Sushi in the City for 2008. There'll also be desserts, a silent auction and entertainment. Admission is $60 a person, with a $10 discount for members of young professionals’ organizations. Proceeds will benefit Louisville’s Project Women, a nonprofit agency that provides housing and educational assistance to help homeless single mothers and their families break the cycle of poverty. For information, visit the Project Women website. For details on Sushi in the City, click here.

Belgian Beer Dinner at Corbett's "An American Place"
March 4, 7:00 pm

Corbett's "An American Place" invites you to an evening of Belgian Ales and lambics paired with Chef Chris Howerton’s cuisine. Hosted by Pete Larson of Wetten Imports. Call for reservations.

Corbett's "An American Place"
5050 Norton Healthcare Blvd
502 327-5058

Two events at Varanese

90 Point Wine Dinner
Featuring the live jazz of Jeff Sherman
January 24th, 6 pm
$59 plus tax & gratuity

KUNDE ESTATE SAUVIGNON BLANC
Tempura Point Reyes Bleu Cheese and Dried Apricot

GEORGE DUBOEUF MORGON BEAUJOLAIS
Grilled Diver Scallop and Strawberry Gazpacho Napoleon Garnish with Baby
Arugula and Balsamic drizzle

CASTELLO DI MONASTERO TOSCANA
Duck Stuffed Ravioli atop Shaved Baby Fennel and Sweet Onions Accompanied by a Black Truffle Sauce Finished with Fois Gras

MONTECILLO GRAN RESERVA RIOJA
Smoked Braised Pork Belly Served Over Creamy Beans with Manchego Cheese, Roasted Pablano Pepper and Oven Dried Tomato

RENWOOD ZINFANDEL GRANDPERE
Moist Chocolate Cake Topped with a Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Icing served with a Sundried Cherry Jam

A Taste of Love
Featuring a menu of foods thought to have aphrodisiacal qualities
February 14, 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Oysters on the ½ Shell Topped with a Pineapple–Cilantro Salsa

Hearts of Romaine, Artichoke, and Palm Salad Dressed by Gorgonzola Cheese, Grape Tomatoes, and Raspberry-Honey Vinaigrette

Grilled Certified Angus Beef Tenderloin Finished with a Black Truffle Demi Glaze and Gnocchi Tossed with a Pesto Cream Sauce

Coriander Seared Ahi Tuna served over Crab Fried Rice and Hand Carved Baby Carrots Drizzled with a Passion Fruit-Ginger Hoisen

Moist Chocolate Cake Filled with a Sun-Dried Cherry Jam Topped with a Tahitian Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Icing

Varanese
2106 Frankfort Avenue
502 899-9904

Roses, Song and Chocolate

The Event Design Group @ Event Design Library & Emporium is holding an event called Roses, Song and Chocolate: Celebrating Love & Friendship. The event is Friday, February 8, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Says the press release:

At this fabulous February event, chocolate desserts featuring local Chocolate Artisans Fred Moore of Coco's Chocolate Cafe on Bardstown Road and Prospect, KY favorite, Lilliana Gross of Lilliana's Finest will be served; signature cocktails will be a highlight along with small plate appetizers by nios @917, while enjoying live music by guitarist Craig Wagner. There will also be Knit Lingerie modeled throughout the evening by featured local Event Design Emporium artisan Tonya Wagner.

Advanced ticket purchase encouraged with limited ticket availability at the door.
Please call T. Lynne @ 502.451.5377 for reservations, ticket purchase & event information.

Tickets: $15 single, $25 couple
Advance ticket purchase by Monday, February 4, 2008 encouraged.

A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit T. Lynne's charity of choice: Dress for Success!

Knit lingerie, eh? Veeeeeery interesting.

Event Design Group @ Event Design Library & Emporium
1325 Bardstown Rd
502 451-5377

BBC Reopening & Melillo's Valentine's Day Deal

St. Matthews BBC Reopening - After a week-long closure for renovations, the St. Matthews location of the Bluegrass Brewing Co. is reopening tomorrow. Along with the cosmetic upgrades they'll be rolling out a new menu. BBC bartender Becca reports: "The new menu will include some old favorites----Brewhouse Nachos, Shepherds Pie and our much requested beer mustard. The menu will also have a Hot Bacon and Spinach Salad, a Portabello Burger, a Chicken Parmesan Sandwich and Fried Polenta." Yum!

BBC
3929 Shelbyville Rd
502 899-7070

Melillo's Valentine's Day Special - Melillo's is offering a three-course Valentine's Day dinner, including soup or salad, entree, dessert, and a bottle of wine for $90 per couple. Ladies will receive flowers and gentlemen will receive candy. Call Ashley for reservations.

Melillo's
829B East Market St
502 540-9975

Schlafly Beer Tasting at Keg Liquors

Keg Liquors in Clarksville is holding a tasting of Schlafly beers on Jan 31, 5:00-8:00 pm. I've really liked what I've had from Schlafly, so I'm definitely going to try to make it to this.

Keg Liquors
617 East Lewis and Clark Parkway
Clarksville, IN
812-283-3988

Wine Market Wine & Cheese Tastings

Neil informs me that the Wine Market holds wine and cheese tastings the second Wednesday of every month. This month, on Jan 9, the theme is "Fireplace Wines." 4:30-6:30 pm.

The Wine Market
1200 Bardstown Road
502 451-7446

Wine Tasting at Gemelli

Gemelli Wine and Spirits holds monthly wine tastings, each focusing on a specific kind of wine. I've been to a couple of these and had a great time. The folks at Gemelli are both knowledgeable and entirely unsnobby; I've heard them answer some truly basic wine questions without the least bit of attitude. For this I love them. These really are tastings for people who want to learn more about wine, not for people who want to stand around feeling self-congratulatory about how much they already know.

The next tasting, which focuses on Zinfandel, is Thursday, Jan 24, 6:30-7:30. The class is limited to 16 people and costs $15 per person. Reserve your spot by calling 895-1400.

Gemelli Wine and Spirits
3626 Brownsboro Road

Mai's Thai Cooking Classes

Neil and I had lunch at Mai's Thai in Jeffersonville today and we saw that Mai is holding cooking classes next month! Sounds like lots of fun! The classes are $35 and include a buffet lunch afterward.

January 19 & 20, 11:00 am

Mai's Thai
1411 E 10th St
Jeffersonville, IN
(812) 282-0198