Art of Wine event a 3-day celebration

UNCORKED

When people ask what my favorite wine events in Arkansas are, the Walton Arts Center’s Art of Wine Festival always makes the top of my list. Each year I enjoy, not only tasting wine with many friends and colleagues from our state, but meeting many visitors to Arkansas. With hundreds of wines, some of Northwest Arkansas’ premier restaurants and entertainment, what more could you want for a weekend here at home?

The celebration features three days of special and educational tasting experiences. This year it begins June 9 with the Winemakers’ Dinner, which features a five-course meal and wine pairing. It’s not just any wine dinner; it takes place on the Baum Walker Hall stage, and a silent auction offers the opportunity to bid on some of the most unique art, wine and other items.

The grand tasting June 10 features more than 400 wines. Uncorked: Friday Night Tasting is a festive event with area restaurants providing signature dishes to enjoy. This event is one of my favorites because guests can taste and explore hundreds of wines in one place.

The final event is the Premier Tasting on June 11. This event is exceptional in that many of the wines are available only at this prestigious wine festival. It also features Northwest Arkansas’ best chefs’ VIP heavy hors d’oeuvres.

And it’s all for a good cause, with proceeds benefiting the arts center.

For more information or for tickets, call the Walton Arts Center at ( 479) 4435600 or visit waltonartscenter.org

See you there!

THE VALUES

2014 Red Car Rose, California (about $16 retail)

2014 Revelry Chardonnay, Washington (about $16 retail)

THE SPLURGES

2014 Lieu Dit Sauvignon Blanc, California (about $22 retail)

2013 Stasis Chardonnay, California (about $35 retail)