Wine Tasting: January 2010

Birthday Bash

You’re invited to help celebrate The Dance Project’s sixth birthday on Jan. 28 by tasting wines and watching the company in a special performance. Start at 6 p.m. at Vintner’s Cellar (1700 California St. in Redding), where you will taste six wines, each paired with an appetizer. Then, at 8 p.m., head to the Cascade Theatre (1731 Market St.) to enjoy highlights of The Dance Project’s spring repertoire. Tickets, $25, are available at Vintner’s Cellar. Call 222-WINE.

Manton Lunch Special

Yearning for some homemade ravioli and a special bottle of wine? You’re in luck, because John and Linda Alger of Alger Vineyards are holding their fourth annual “Ravioli Weekend with a Bottle of Cabernet” from noon to 6 p.m. Jan. 23-24. For $35, you’ll get lunch for two and a bottle of the winery’s 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. Reservations are not necessary, John Alger said. It’s all at 31616 Forward Road in Manton; call 474-WINE.

Barrel Tasting near Sacramento

More than 20 El Dorado County winemakers are throwing open their cellar doors for “Bring Out the Barrel” Jan. 30-31. Wine lovers of all levels will have the opportunity to experience the nuances of a new vintage straight from the barrel, as well as light food pairings. Weekend passes are $20 until Jan. 23, then $25. Visit www.ElDoradoWines.org.

Bring on the Zin

If Zinfandel is your thing, consider heading to San Francisco for the 19th annual Zinfandel Festival, “Zin in Paradise,” Jan. 28-30. Sponsored by the Zinfandel Advocates and Producers, the event features a variety of activities, culminating in the “Grand Zinfandel Tasting” from 2-5 p.m. Jan. 30 at Fort Mason Center. General public admission is $59 (plus fees). Call 877-772-5425 or visit www.zinfandel.org. Send wine event announcements to blease15478@sbcglobal.net. The package runs the second Thursday of each month.