Spring is ready to bloom bright and rosy as another annual sign of warmer weather arrives. Tickets for Solo Vino's annual tasting of blush-colored wines throughout the world are now on sale. For the fifth year, the giant tent will be raised in the St. Paul parking lot of the wine shop, but this year there will be some changes.More »

Actually, a rose by another name isn't quite as sweet

Despite a bit of gray in the skies and a weekend packed with events, the fourth-annual Rose Wine Tasting at Solo Vino Wines was a smashing success -- literally. The event kicked off with an honorary glass smashing, followed by owner Chuck Kanski graciously picking up the pieces.

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Think, swirl, and sip pink at Solo Vino's annual tasting event

It's appropriate that the traditional four-year anniversary gift is flowers. Sunday, May 20, expect a showering of rosés--the wine kind--to be poured from the parking lot at St. Paul's premiere wine shop Solo Vino. Owner Chuck Kanski promises this year's event will be spectacular, with pours of over 130 wines from more than 10 countries..

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Sip and tour a Minnesota winery

​This summery spring has the open road calling. What better way to celebrate the warm breeze than spending the day at a not-too-far-away winery? On Saturday, April 7, Cannon River Winery in downtown Cannon Falls will be hosting its annual Meet the Winemaker event. The winery, which is less than an hour away, will have wine, food, and music on hand, and the event is free.

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There's more to Beaujolais wines than Nouveau

On Thursday, November 17, while celebrations of the release of Beaujolais Nouveau take place across town (most prominently at the Jeune Lune Event Center), W. A. Frost and Company will be inviting wine lovers to explore the lesser-known wines of Burgundy's southernmost sub-region. Guests at the "Anti-Nouveau Beaujolais Tasting" will be invited to sample Villages and Cru wines from Beaujolais, as well as an assortment of hors d'oeuvres.

"Nouveaux are wines that are too young to have really developed any nuance or character, and they've hurt the reputation of the more serious wines from Beaujolais," says Ryan Huseby, beverage director at W. A. Frost. "We want to give people the opportunity to taste some of these wines that are much more reminiscent of an elegant red Burgundy than of fresh grape juice."

The Anti-Nouveau Tasting will be open from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. this Thursday, coinciding with the release of the Nouveau. The cost is $35 per person, and reservations are required.

All Beaujolais is not nouveau, bit it's a reason to have a good time

November 17! Mark your calendar. The third Thursday of November is the traditional debut of the world's freshest, least pretentious wine: Beaujolais Nouveau.

One of the best places to celebrate this year may be at the Jeune Lune Event Center (105 N. First St.) in Minneapolis, at an event organized by the French-American Chamber of Commerce. You'll be able to enjoy much more than just innocent, unspoiled Nouveau. French wine, local star chefs, and local musicians will all come together from 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursday the 17th.

Here are more details:

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Sam Haislet

Nan Bailly of Alexis Bailly Vineyard, with Leon, the original Winery Dog

The harvest is in at Alexis Bailly Vineyard in Hastings, and word is that it was a very good year. Summer's rain + sun + temperature yielded a bumper crop of grapes at Minnesota's oldest winery. To celebrate the harvest and taste the wine, the winemakers have come up with a creative slate of wine-centric fun for November and December.

Mark your calendars for the always popular Alexis Bailly Vineyard events:

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I Nonni's wine shop and restaurant offer elite Italian bottlings

​I Nonni Osteria in Lilydale is set to host its annual wine tasting, showcasing the very finest Italian wine available in our market, some of it only available at I Nonni.

The tasting will take place Sunday, October 30, from 3 to 6 p.m., featuring about 100 wines, with significant discounts for same-day orders. Here are details on how to get in on the action.

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Debbie Tallen

Bacalao with charmoula and spring greens, paired with Evodia Garnacha

Every month, CRAVE hosts a Wine Academy--a mini class on the basics of appreciating wine, conducted over a 4-6 course pairing dinner. CRAVE Executive Chef Mike Agan creates the menu, and Sommelier Tim Edmunds chooses the wines that will go with each course and teaches the class over the duration of the meal. Each class focuses on the wines of a specific region and is hosted at each of CRAVE's three metro locations throughout the month. April's class focuses on the wines of Spain. The Hot Dish attended Monday's class at the Mall of America CRAVE. Read on for a sneak peek at the Wine Academy.

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Drinking makes holiday shopping more fun

Does the thought of spending your Saturday navigating the parking ramp at MOA make your skin crawl? Fear not. Yes, you need to procure some holiday gifts. But you don't need to do it at the mall. Or sober, for that matter. Morgan Creek Vineyards is throwing open its doors this weekend for a two-day holiday open house, featuring lovely gift baskets, wine accessories, special holiday wines, and 20 percent discounts on all of it. And the best part is that you can enjoy mulled wine, cheese, and flat breads from their wood-fired oven while you shop for the perfect gifts for the discerning wine lovers in your life. To top off the winter whimsy, guests will receive a complimentary sleigh ride through the vineyard with a purchase (weather permitting). If that doesn't beat wall-to-wall mall walkers, we don't know what does.

Holiday open house
Morgan Creek Vineyards
December 4 and 5, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
23707 478th Avenue, New Ulm
507.947.3547