The Melting Teapot

Seattle Food and Wine Experience is tomorrow, Febuary 28th, at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall.  For $49 ($59 at the door), you can try wines from around the world, food from top regional chefs, and even microbrews.  There are presentations, special pavilions, presentations, and music.

6th Annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival, March 5-7, located in the Landmark Event Center, Des Moines, WA.  Friday night is the Night in the Vineyard Gala, while Saturday and Sunday features wine tasting, food, and live jazz.  All proceeds fund charitable projects of the Des Moines Rotary Club.

Foodportunity, a series of networking events for Seattle food professionals, will take place on March 22nd, 2010, from 6 to 9 PM at  the Palace Ballroom.  This event is organized by well-known Seattle food blogger, Frantic Foodie, and she writes that "attendees will include local food writers, bloggers, restaurateurs, food producers, PR professionals and other companies from the food and hospitality industry." Tickets are on sale now via brown paper tickets.

Seattle Restaurant Week (April 18-29) is a new promotional event where local restaurants offer 3-course $25 menus.  Unlike 30-for-$30 or Urban Eats, there is an unlimited number of restaurants who can be involved.  Evidently, we're even going to be seeing big-name restaurants like Canlis in on this.  Their official web site has limited information right now, but you can read more about this on the All You Can Eat blog.

Taste Washington, Seattle, March 27-28, is always a popular event.  I went to the Saturday seminars two years ago and had a great time, tasting wine and learning quite a bit.  Sunday's grand tasting is filled with spectacular Washington wine and food.  Get your tickets now and make plans to attend!  Oh, and if you're from the east side of the state, head to Taste Washington, Spokane, on June 6th.

Passport to Woodinville , April 17-18, is a fun way to explore local boutique wineries.  You'll be given a "passport" and a glass, which you then use as you travel from one tasting room to the next.  It is a party-like atmosphere and can be fairly crowded, especially on Saturday. Going with a group or renting a limo/shuttle service helps with parking issues. Designated drivers are allowed into tastings for free, with no passport.  If you don't have a designated driver, have a designated spitter.

Spitting is absolutely appropriate when you're tasting wine, and it is very appreciated by wineries and other drivers on the road.  Don't know how to spit wine?  Take a look at this quick video demonstration:

A Few Months Away

Auction of Washington Wines, August 19-21, 2010 (tickets go on sale in June).  I have friends who are especially fond of the Barrel Auction & Picnic with the Winemakers, held on the grounds of Chateau St. Michelle in Woodinville.

Cheese-a-Topia:  The 2010 American Cheese Society is holding their annual conference in Seattle this August.  There are two events open to the public, the Cheese Oscars and the Festival of Cheese.  If you'd like to attend the full conference, membership is recquired.  They have various types of memberships that include both professionals and enthusiasts.