The third annual Philly Wine Week kicks off tomorrow (March 19th – 26th). With hundreds of wine-infused events citywide, from drinking games to blind taste tests, this year’s festivities promise to make other cities wish they had a wine week.
Here are our top highlights:
( Put Your Tastebuds to the Test )
Pit Boxed wine vs. the bottle: Ever turned your nose up at boxed wine? Now is the time to figure out whether you’ve been judging wine by its cover. For just $10, Vintage Wine Bar will be hosting a “Bottle vs. Box” challenge on March 20, 2017
Play Wine Quizzo: Indulge your inner somm. On March 20th, Cooperage Whiskey and Wines will offer a free opportunity to test your wine knowledge, and win prizes. Throughout the week of March 19-26, guests can also shape the future of the Cooperage wine list by tasting three red wines and casting their vote for the best.
Blind Taste to Win: Lacroix and Rittenhouse sommeliers will offer a blind mystery wine for guests to taste each night of Philly wine week. The first to correctly guess the wine each night will win the entire bottle for their table (along with a feature on Instagram).
Be the Judge at a Bar-Somm Smackdown: Panorama will be hosting a wine-based cocktail making competition — and the guests will be the judges. Contestants will include Guy Smith of the Bon Vivants, Monk’s Café, Andres Sanchez, Beverage Director, Kanella, and Challenger Jeffereson Oatts, of Double Knot. $30, March 20, 6:30 – 8:30 P.M.
( Or, Just Drink More Wine )
Wine With the Dinosaurs: Kick off Philly Wine Week by savoring hundreds of rare wines and cuisines from local restaurants and farms. Opening Corks is the inaugural event for Philly Wine Week, held in the beautiful setting of the Academy of Natural Sciences. $65, March 19, 6:00 – 9:00 P.M.
Eat $1 Oysters: Your chance to “crush muscadel and oysters with the titans” at Alla Spina. Enjoy Forty Ounce Muscadet and Rosé, oysters, and chill conversations with Patrick Cappiello of Rebelle restaurant and Chris Desor of Verity Wines. March 23, 4:30 – 7:00 P.M.
Taste a Rainbow of Wines: We didn’t know this was possible — JET Wine Bar will be featuring a tasting of green, orange, red, rosé, and black wines for $20.
Explore Lambrusco: Yes, within Wine Week, there is another wine festival. Kensington Quarters will be hosting their 2nd annual Lambrusco Festival on March 20th. Guest chefs including Palmer Marinelli of Balboa, Ari Miller of Food Underground, and Nima and Lily of Cake Life Bakeshop will be serving up cuisine to pair with Lambrusco.
Experience Bouillabaisse Wine Pairings: Experience three wine pairings with a classic Marseille dish, Bouillabaisse, at Paris Bistro. $44, March 21.
Taste wines made in PA: Tria and Tria Taproom will be pouring Wayvine wines, made in Nottingham, PA, on March 19.
Find out more at PhillyWineWeek.org.