New Orleans Wine Tastings Wine Dinners Winemaker Events Gayot

May 21-24
Planning is in high gear for the 17th Annual New Orleans Wine and Food Experience (NOWFE), scheduled for May 20-24 this year. The event has become a rite of spring for epicureans and always draws large crowds to the French Quarter and venues around town for its seminars, tastings and wine- and cuisine-related events. NOWFE's Grand Tastings have grown so popular that this year they will be held in the Louisiana Superdome, where some 175 wineries from around the world and 75 New Orleans-area restaurants will participate. As usual, NOWFE begins with the Royal Street Stroll, a roving wine-tasting through French Quarter galleries and boutiques on May 20. Other highlights include wine dinners in local restaurants, often hosted by winemakers themselves; Vinola, a super-premium wine tasting and auction; and, new this year, a Louisiana seafood cook-off and trade show. Ticket information and a full schedule are available online at www.nowfe.com. Louisiana Superdome, 1500 Sugar Bowl Dr., New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-529-9463.

Tuesdays & Fridays
The weekly wine tastings at Swirl Wines in the Faubourg St. John neighborhood don't start outside but that's usually where they end up. Guests typically spill out onto the sidewalk, mingling with patrons of the neighboring restaurants as they sample wines. On Tuesdays, the shop offers tasting flights of six wines for $10 per person beginning at 6:30 p.m. while on Fridays the proprietors host free wine tastings at prime happy hour time from 6 pm to 8 pm. For more information, visit www.swirlinthecity.com. Swirl Wines, 3143 Ponce de Leon St., New Orleans, LA 70119, 504-304-0635.

Thursdays
Savvy Gourmet, the gourmet shop/restaurant/cooking school, hosts a weekly happy hours tasting from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. led by a member of their culinary team. For more information, visit www.savvygourmet.com. Savvy Gourmet, 4519 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70115, 504-895-2665.

Fridays
At the end of the week, relax with a flight of vino at the Cork & Bottle wine shop. Starting at 4 p.m., sample three generous pours for only $10. For more information, visit www.corknola.com. Cork & Bottle, 3700 Orleans Ave., #1C, New Orleans, LA 70119, 504-281-4384.