September Uncorked! A New Crush of Events

My, who would have figured Idaho would be bubbling over with wine-related events? Well ... me. And I'm dying to share them with you!

Martin's award-winning wine
Photo by Meg McKenzie

-- First off, in honor of Oktoberfest (OK, so it's a few weeks early, but so what?) tres bonne cuisine is having a German wine tasting Thursday, Sept. 15, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. It's only $10 per person, and includes free hors d'oeuvres along with a big lineup of Riesling, Auselese, Liebfraumilch and more. Tres Bonne Cuisine is at 6555 Overland Road in Boise. Call 208-658-1364 for more info.  

-- Next, I have to congratulate Martin of Fujishin Family Cellars for the awesome shout-out Wine Press Northwest gave his 2009 Late Harvest Riesling. Columnists Andy Perdue and Eric Degermann included Fujishin's wine among their "Outstanding" selections this past week -- his scrumptious $15 vintage was mentioned side by side with much pricier Washington selections, and it was the only Snake River AVA wine in the column (read it in the Statesman this week).

Check out Twig Munro's place in downtown Boise
Photo by Meg McKenzie

-- I also want to give props to the Sunnyslope Festa Celebration of the Harvest: I saw Gregg Alger out workin' the crowd at Capital City Market last weekend, and I heard that more than 300 folks turned out for the grand finale at Ste. Chapelle on Sunday.

-- Tuesday found me at Twig's Cellar in downtown Boise this week, tasting a flight of Argentinian wines courtesy of the wine pickers at Tastevin distributors. There was a Torrontes (Argentina's answer to Viognier) that blew my mind. At $7 you get three different wines, and Twig Munro gives you a good pour of each. Plus it's a great place to relax with pals. She's talking about installing a flat-screen so you may soon be able to enjoy a Bronco game or Dancing with the Stars with your favorite Periple Tuesday Night White or Huston Chicken Dinner Red. Twig's is downstairs in the historic Hoff Bldg, 816 W. Bannock St. Call 208-344-8944.

Check out the cozy wine bar at Helina Marie's in Star
Photo by Meg McKenzie

-- Thursday night there will be an Idaho Distributor wine tasting from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday will bring another great wine and karaoke party, both at Helina Marie's funky rustic wine bar in funky, rustic Star. The fun goes from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. 11053 Hwy 44 in Star. Call 208-286-7960.

-- Also Saturday the 17th, two awesome-sounding Eagle events: The Eagle Food and Wine Festival is from 6-9 p.m. at BanBury Golf Club. The cost is $40 per, with local Idaho wines paired with local chefs.Tickets are available at Syringa and Three Horse wineries and at BanBury off of Eagle Road. Call 208-939-4600 for more info.

 -- From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Woodriver Cellars is having a grape stomp and harvest carnival, with family-friendly activities at their winery on Highway 16 in Eagle. Call 208-286-0291.

Coming Up: A Special Wine Weekend

I am departing from my normal reviews of Idaho wineries to write about two upcoming (amazing-sounding) events that will be happening on the same weekend -- one on Friday, Sept. 16, and one on Saturday, Sept. 17, so if you have the time, the money and the stamina, you could go to both! (Wish I could, but I have to work at my other, non-Idaho Wine Girl-related job to pay the rent).

 An Evening On the Bayou

The interior of Snyder Winery
Photo by Meg McKenzie

The first event, on Friday the 16th, is called "An Evening On The Bayou," and no, it isn't in the Big Easy. It's at the (gorgeous) Snyder Winery in Buhl, and (for whatever reason) from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., the winery is hosting a celebration of Cajun cuisine, music and dancing. The menu will include fresh seafood (prawns, oysters, crawfish, clams and mussels) and traditional Cajun delicacies like jambalaya and andouille sausage, as well as a Creole dessert buffet). There will be Zydeco music and dancing by the fire pit, and of course some new wine releases from the winery, including their Soft Merlot.

Snyder's Winery in Buhl
Photo by Meg Mckenzie

Tickets are $45, and you can get them by calling Russ and Claudia Snyder at (208) 543-6938. The winery is located at 4060 N. 1200 E., in Buhl. (Go to www.snyderwinery.com for more info, such as directions). I just visited Snyder, along with some other Twin Falls area wineries. Look for my review to be posted within the next several weeks, but in the meantime, I can attest to the quality of their wines -- and the loveliness of their site.

Eagle Food & Wine Festival

 

The other event, on Saturday, the 17th, is the Eagle Food & Wine Festival. Now in its fifth year, it will be held at the BanBury Golf Club off of Eagle Road between Chinden Boulevard and State Street (just northwest of Boise), and will feature a whole bunch of Idaho wines, which will be paired with tastes from different area restaurants.

Mary May, the chairwoman of the event, has put a great deal of effort into selecting just the right food-and-drink combinations, and there will be live jazz from Alone Together, so it should be a lot of fun. The fest takes place Saturday, Sept. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Tickets are $40 and available at BanBury, Syringa Winery, The Porterhouse Restaurant, and at 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Eagle Food Bank and Idaho Domestic Bird Rescue & Sanctuary.

The invited wineries are: 3 Horse Ranch, Cold Springs Winery, Fraser Vineyard, Huston Vineyards, Indian Creek Winery, Periple, Syringa Winery, Vale Wine Co., Williamson Orchards & Vineyards and Wood River Cellars.

The restaurants include Bardenay, Bella Aquila, Ono Hawaiian Cafe, The Porterhouse, Murphy's, River Rock and Willowcreek Grill. For tickets and info, go to www.eaglefoodandwinefestival.com.