Throughout California Wine Month, I’m planning to share as many wine-themed events in as many popular locales as I can — and not just in the Golden State.
Travel and Leisure recently unveiled its “World’s Best Awards” for 2016, and in a poll of the magazine’s readers, these were the top international cities for food:
Beirut, Lebanon
San Sebastian, Spain
Paris, France
Florence, Italy
Bologna, Italy
Rome, Italy
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Barcelona, Spain
Bordeaux, France
And among U.S. cities, these were the top 10 reader picks:
New Orleans, Louisiana
Charleston, South Carolina
New York City
San Francisco
Chicago
Savannah, Georgia
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Austin, Texas
Portland, Oregon
Portland, Maine
You never know what’s going to happen in a reader’s poll, so I wasn’t surprised to see a few cities that I would have chosen missing from the lists. The biggest surprise in that regard? Las Vegas.
I could make a pretty good case that Vegas should be included on BOTH lists. After all, the city has its own Eiffel Tower, its own Venice-style gondolas, and even its own Roman “Colosseum.”
Perhaps visitors to “Sin City” are having too much fun gambling, drinking and attending shows to fully appreciate the city’s extraordinary culinary scene. As you might expect, where there is great food, there also is great wine, and Las Vegas has no shortage of wine-focused events throughout the year from which to choose.
Today and tomorrow, I’ll share a few of the September events with you, beginning today with the Las Vegas Food & Wine Festival and the six-times-per-year Wine Walks…
September 15-18 — The Las Vegas Food & Wine Festival will take place over four days at the SLS Las Vegas, featuring a wide array of wines as well as great food from celebrity chefs such as Jose Andres, Charlie Palmer, Nicole Brisson, Bradley Ogden, Brian Massie and Laurent Tourondel. There are several individually ticketed events for which ducats still remain, but the supply is going quickly — so if you’re thinking about going, check out the event’s website now: http://vegasfoodandwine.com.
September 17 — There are only two more Wine Walks remaining on the 2016 schedule at the Town Square shopping destination on what is known locally as the “South Strip.” Away from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist corridor, you pay $30, receive a souvenir wine glass and tasting passport, and then stroll the park-like grounds of Town Square, where many of the merchants have samples of wine waiting for you — usually around 15 in all. It makes a great date night (the fun begins at 7 p.m. and runs until 10), and proceeds benefit New Vista, a local charity that provides services to those with intellectual challenges. (If you miss the September Wine Walk, make a note to attend the last one of the year on October 15.)
More upcoming Las Vegas wine events tomorrow — bet on it!
