WINE TO DRINK AND FOOD TO CHOO CHOO

Saturday's Uncorked fest will bring 150-plus vintages to Union Station

Wine enthusiasts can hop off at Union Station in Los Angeles on Saturday for the eighth annual Uncorked: L.A. Wine Festival, which will highlight vintages from around the globe.

“We call it the complete experience for wine lovers,” said Michelle Harris, founder of Uncorked. “And there’s something for everyone in a very unpretentious setting.”

The festival is expected to attract about 1,500 people to the Los Angeles landmark and will take place from 5-9 p.m.

Here’s what else guests can expect:

The wine list

More than 150 wines from about 60 wineries across the globe in all sorts of styles will be poured during the event. The cost of admission includes all tastings, so be ready to sample.

It’s not advised to try all the wines in one evening, so maybe be a bit selective with your tastings. Harris suggests checking out wineries like Frank Family Vineyard from Napa.

“Their zin is amazing, very jammy, very fruit-forward but also quite bold,” she said.

For those who like something a little lighter, Harris recommends New Zealand winery Matua.

“They’ve got some incredible crisp, refreshing whites,” she said.

Aside from traditional wines,

there will be canned wines, seltzers and a few organic tequilas for tasting.

Pairing with food

Because good wine and good food go hand in hand, the festival will include several higherend food trucks, like Angelinos’ Wood Fired Pizza.

“Everyone knows pizza and wine are a classic combo,” Harris said.

Also on deck will be Doc Lobster, which serves traditional lobster rolls; Cerda Verga tacos; and Catered Kitchen, which does wine-friendly charcuterie.

“They do these really fun custom

charcuterie cones, and, I mean, you can’t say no to wine and charcuterie,” Harris added.

Other trucks at the festival will include Social Pies, the Deli Doctor, Uncle Al’s BBQ and Masa’tlan Kitchen, which focuses on food from Mazatlan, Mexico.

“We’re looking for great combinations and things that are easy for people to eat and that they don’t need to sit down,” she said.

It's a party

Uncorked isn’t going to be a stuffy, quiet wine tasting affair.

This annual tradition has become popular because of the wine and the party vibe. There will be DJS spinning music, plus live music from Olivia Pucci and The Southbay Duo, who do jazzy renditions of hip-hop and pop songs.

“She does a rendition of Biggie Smalls that will knock you on your butt,” Harris said with a laugh.

COURTESY OF UNCORKED Olivia Pucci and The Southbay Duo will provide jazzy renditions of hiphop and pop songs at the eighth annual edition of the wine festival, and DJS will also spin tunes.

COURTESY OF SEAN PAUL FRANGET After a glass or two, you might be tempted to give the many food trucks on hand a try. Pizza, charcuterie, sandwiches and more will be available.

COURTESY OF SEAN PAUL FRANGET Uncorked: L.A. Wine Festival is expected to attract about 1,500people to Union Station to sample vintages from around the world.