Philly Wine Week 2016: Where to go & what to drink

The third iteration of Philly Wine Week will run April 3 to April 10, and it’s looking to be bigger and better than ever. This year’s participants include new spots like Martha, Coeur and Urban Farmer. Events range from a lowbrow boxed wine tasting at Vintage Wine Bar to Lacroix’s power lunch with wine pairings. 

Visit PhillyWineWeek.org for the full lineup, and check out some highlights below.

Sparkling wine

Get fancy at Bar Volvér with Champagne flights ($30) and sparkling flights ($20) all week long (April 3-10, 5-10 p.m.). On Wednesday, explore naturally sparkling wine for $10 a glass at Tria’s Pét-Nat Party (all three locations, April 6, noon-midnight). Learn why only certain sparklers can be called Champagne at Vintage Wine Bar’s Thursday night Basics of Bubbly (April 7, 4 p.m.-midnight, $25 a flight). 

Rosé

Panorama’s Tuesday night walk-around tasting showcases seven of the season’s best rosés and includes light hors d’oeuvres (April 5, 6-8 p.m., $35 a ticket). At Jet Wine Bar on Wednesday, five rosés from around the globe will be available by the glass, half glass or a flight of three for $10 (April 6, noon-midnight, DJ at 9 p.m.). Do Sunday afternoon right with a guided rosé tasting at Amada with sommelier Alexandra Cherniavsky (April 10, 2-3 p.m., $40 a person, call to reserve).

Wine & Beer

Johnny Brenda’s hosts its weeklong Fight Club: Grape vs. Grain draft wine and craft beer showdown, with customer ballots entered into a drawing for prizes (April 3-10). Alla Spina’s Grape vs. Grain Cage Match on Wednesday is a four-course dinner with pairings by Brendan Hartranft (of Coeur, Memphis Taproom and more) and MFW Wine Co.’s Jason Malumed ($65 a person, call to reserve). On Thursday, South Philadelphia Tap Room’s lineup highlights the similarities between natural wines and funky beers (April 7, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.).

Drinking for a cause

Proceeds from Friday’s Philly Showcase of Wine and Cheese at the Convention Center will go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia (April 8, 6-10 p.m., $50 advance tickets, $55 at the door). At Tria’s “Sparkling Sunday School,” $1 from every Sunday School glass sold will go to the Broad Street Ministry Hospitality Collaborative (all three locations, April 3, noon-midnight). 

More top picks by day

Sunday: Cocktails on the Vine at a.bar. The first day of a weeklong series of wine-based drinks created by a.bar’s bartenders (April 3-10, noon-2 a.m.).

Monday: ’brusco at Kensington Quarters. “A visual art, culinary and Lambrusco collaboration” with folks from Arts in the Industry, Buckminster’s, Royal Izakaya, Philly Style Bagels, Food Underground and more (April 4, 6:30-10 p.m.; concessions format with $5 tickets for purchasing food, wine and wine cocktails that cost $5-$10 each).

Tuesday: Getting Cozy with Adelsheim Vineyard at Bar Hygge. Tasting session with winemaker Dave Paige from Oregon’s Adelsheim Vineyard; price includes bites from the kitchen (April 5, 6-8 p.m., $40 per ticket, email julie@barhygge.com).

Wednesday: Wine Dinner with David McDuff of David Bowler Wine at Vetri. Tasting menu by chef de cuisine Joey DeLago with sustainable, natural, organic and biodynamic wine pairings and discussion (April 6, 6:30-10:00 p.m., $185 a ticket).

Thursday: Jardins de Provence at The Good King Tavern. First of the season’s dinner series at the back banquette with chef David Ansill’s food and wines by Sean Faeth of Artisan’s Cellar (April 7, 7 p.m., $75 a person, reservations required). On the same night, a celebratory French-style picnic will feature keg wines and a special cheese and charcuterie service (5 p.m.-1 a.m., reservations suggested).

Friday: USA vs. France Wine Dinner at Lacroix. Guests will try to determine which wines are from France and which are from the U.S. at this blind-tasting-format dinner pitting winemaker Eric Railsback and his Santa Barbara Lieu Dit wines against his brother Lyle’s Kermit Lynch portfolio (April 8, 6-11 p.m., $155 a ticket). Eric Railsback will also host a.kitchen’s Wine Cru that night at 5 p.m.

Saturday: Naturals at Noon at Panorama. Try French and Italian biodynamic and organic wines at this walk-around tasting with Giacomo DiLisi of SOILAIR Selections that includes light hors d’oeuvres (April 9, noon-2 p.m., $40 a ticket).

Sunday: Wine BBQ at American Sardine Bar. At its first outdoor party of the season, the Point Breeze bar will set up a firepit and serve draft wine with grilled meats (April 10, 3-8 p.m.).