The event will take place on Saturday night on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield.
Those who have a special taste for wine can raise their glasses on Saturday night for a good cause at the first-ever “A Taste of Table & Vine.”
Produced by the Eastern States Exposition and Table & Vine in West Springfield, the wine, craft beer, and spirits tasting event – to benefit the West Springfield Public Library – is being held in the Young Building, 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $45 and $75.
The public library has embarked on a $2 million capital campaign to raise funds for a 15,000 square foot renovation, preserving its existing Carnegie wing.
“We were really excited over The Big Y and Big E approaching us ... knowing that we were waiting to build a new library in town. We jumped at the chance to try something different as a fundraiser. We had done smaller wine tastings in the library put on by the Friends of the Library, but this was a great opportunity to team with wonderful sponsors in a big location,” said Sharon Scott, chair of the West Springfield Board of Library Trustees.
Funds raised from the taste will also be used to support the Eastern States Exposition’s commitment to the wineries of New England to help in their continued market development and the public education required to ensure the success of their agricultural enterprises.
“Here in New England, for those trying to grow grapes in our cooler climate, it is truly a labor of love. It’s amazing the camaraderie the wineries have with each other. I’ve had the opportunity to meet various wine makers from around New England who have relayed stories about wine makers from all over the world who have also given them advice,” said Michael Quinlan, wine sales manager for Table & Vine.
Quinlan said there will be some 25 New England wines available for tasting, including what he noted is “New England’s number-one selling wine” called Ballet of Angels from Sharpe Hill Vineyard in Pomfret, Conn.
“It’s a blended wine….really a table wine….with a little sweetness,” said the wine buyer.
He also singled out the Eden Ice Cider Company in West Charleston, Vermont.
“They make what is called an ice cider by freezing the juice of the apple and then removing the water from it….leaving you with the pure nectar of the apple,” said Quinlan.
“It’s what I would call a sweet dessert wine cider. It’s marketed more like a wine and is finished off with a cork and an elegant bottle,” he added.
Saturday’s event will feature more than 350 wines including: Lobster Reef Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Clos de los Siete, Ca Montini Pinot Grigio, La Crema Pinot Noir, Hunterdon Pinot Noir, Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Amancaya Malbec/Cabernet blend, Voveti Prosecco, Segura Viudas Cava and Le Brun Severnay Champagne.
There will also be over 20 spirits and 50 select craft beers to sample.
For those with discriminating tastes, and those with a higher-priced ticket, they can meet vintners in the Connoisseurs’ Room and taste fine wines, champagnes and spirits such as Cristal Champagne, Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Perrier Jouet Fleur de Champagne, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, 2009 Château Pavie receiving a score of 100 from noted wine critic Robert Parker, a selection of Pierre Ferrand Cognac including Ancestral and Jack Daniels Single Barrel hand-selected by Table & Vine. Oysters from American Mussel Harvesters of Kingstown, Rhode Island, will also be served.
For many lovers of the grape, wine is a perfect complement to their favorite dishes.
On Saturday night there will be an array of appetizers and entrées from local restaurants such as Lattitude, Hofbrau Joe’s German Steakhouse and Storrowton Tavern to accompany the wine tastings. There will also be Smart Chicken wings, Iggy’s Bread of the World, Yankee Trader crab cakes, and pizza, sushi and shrimp from Big Y World Class Markets. Additional treats included with admission will be artichoke sliders from Fresh Acres Market and a selection of cheese, crackers and dips.
For those who want to work up a thirst before all the tasting action begins, there will be a 5K Grape Chase Road Race throughout the Big E fairgrounds. The race is open to walkers with a 10 a.m. start and runners with an 11 a.m. start. Participation is $25 on the day of the race. The first 400 people to register will receive a free t-shirt and commemorative pint glass. The race will culminate with music, refreshments and prizes awarded to the top male and female finishers - first place, $300; second place, $200; and third place, $100. And for those participants who might want to walk or run dressed up as a grape, wine bottle or other innovative getup, they can compete for a $50 prize for Best Costume.