last updated on 10 April 1996

Main Menu:
~ Event Schedule ~ Weekly Wine Review ~ Local Societies ~ Links to Other Wine Pages ~

Events by Month:
~ Jan ~ Feb ~ Mar ~ Apr ~ May ~ Jun ~ Jul ~ Aug ~ Sep ~ Oct ~ Nov ~ Dec ~

The Place for News about Wine

The wine events offered by Calgary, Banff, and other southern Alberta communities are so numerous that no one can reasonably keep on top of them. Hence this home page, dedicated exclusively to events and other offerings of special interest to the wine-drinking and wine-selling community of southern Alberta.

If you know of other wine-related events that you believe should be listed here, please call (403) 261-0041 to tell us about them or fax the information to us at (403) 261-0042.

April Events

• Introduction to Red Wine, 11 April
  This class is always packed. Here's your chance to sample six delicious red wines. Learn the difference between Cabernet and Merlot, Pinotage and Shiraz. You'll discover helpful buying tips as well as how to taste wine. For details call the Kensington Wine Market at 283-8000.

• Options Night Part Deux (again), 16 April
  at Richmond Hill Wines (686-1980)

• Introduction to White Wine, 16 April
  This popular course is the best way to sample six white grape varieties from around the world, and a fun way to learn about wine basics in a relaxed atmosphere. Experience the differences between Chardonnay and Viognier. Learn to pronounce Gewurztraminer. For details call the Kensington Wine Market at 283-8000.

• A Portrait of America's Pacific Coast, 16-30 April
  Divino Bistro and Wine Bar offers The Portrait Series, an expression of life through food and wine. Join us for feature dinners that blend food, wine and culture. From April 16 through the 30th, the emphasis is on America's Pacific Coast. Call Divino (263-5869) for more details.

• Classic Single Malts, 18 April
  Our KWM classic is always a success. What better way to acquire a taste for the old single malt without going directly to Scotland? You'll sample some of our finest while munching on oatcakes, smoked salmon, and of course haggis. Call The Kensington Wine Market (283-8000) for details.

• Chalone Wine Group Dinner, 20 April
  Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts and Free House Wine & Spirits Ltd. invite you to join them at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge on April 20 for a fabulous five-course dinner featuring the wines of the Chalone group paired with dishes such as Roasted Breast of Guinea Fowl and Artichoke Napoleon with Yellow Tomato Sauce. Dinner begins at 7:00 p.m. sharp. The cost per person is $90, including gratuity (G.S.T. extra). For reservations, call the Buffalo Mountain Lodge at 1-800-661-1367, or at 262-6777 (from Calgary), or at 762-2400 (from Banff).

• Carneros Creek Winemaker's Dinner, 20 April
  Buchanan's Resturant is offering a very special evening of fine Carneros Creek wines and their usual excellent fare on Saturday, April 20. This is the 5th annual Carneros Creek dinner they have hosted. Reservations are available at $75 per person by calling Carol at 261-4646.

• Kendall Jackson Winemaker's Dinner, 20 April
  Kendall Jackson Artesan and Estate Wines invites you to a sumptuous dinner and tasting at the Westin Hotel on April 20. Tickets are $60 per person. For details, call The Westin Hotel.

• California Wine Fair, 22 April
  Richard V. Fisher, U. S. Consul General and The Wine Institute of California invite you to attend The California Wine Fair at the Westin Hotel in support of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. The event will feature 60 wineries, 124 wines, hors d'oeuvres, a raffle, and music by the CPO Quartet. Tickets are $37.50 each and a tax receipt will be issued. Call Sylvia at 571-0270 for details.

• Wines from Down Under, 23 April
  G'Day Mates! Discover the wonders from down under as you taste your way around Australia's wine-growing regions. Call The Kensington Wine Market (283-8000) for details.

• Chateau D'Yquem Tasting, 24 April
  This is a rare opportunity to try the world's most famous dessert wine, Chateau D'Yquem. The Wine Cottage is hosting a special tasting of three vintages, together with some wonderful food. And one lucky participant will take home a bottle of the 1989 vintage. There is a charge of $120 per person for this special event, and only 20 seats are available. Call David or Keith at 543-8900 for more information

• Wine Appreciation, starts 24 April
  Calgary Board of Education, in conjunction with the Kensington Wine Market, presents a four-week wine appreciation course Wednesday evenings starting April 24. Wine tasting, wine styles, and grape varieties will all be covered. To register, call 777-7200.

• Wedding Wine, 25 April
  We'll give you all the information you need, and a taste of some wedding-friendly wines that won't break your budget. Your course fee will be applied towards your purchase of wedding wine from Kensington Wine Market. The cost is $25 per couple. Call The Kensington Wine Market (283-8000) for details.

• Banff Springs Hotel 1st Annual Gourmet Wine and Spa Weekend, 27-28 April
  featuring a technical vintage port tasting with Bartholomew Broadbrent of San Francisco, followed by a five-course gourmet dinner paired with fine wines. The cost is $299 per person based on double occupancy), or $419 per person based on single occupancy. An optional private cooking lesson with Banff Springs Hotel Executive Chef Martin Luthi is available at $50 per person. Spa treatments are also available for an extra fee. For more information, contact the Banff Springs Hotel at (403) 762-6826.

• California Dreaming, 28 April
  The Opimian Society and the Embarcadero Wine and Oyster Bar invite you to an evening of fun and frolic featuring an eclectic California menu paired with some splendid California wines. The cost for Opimian Society members is $43; non-members are charged $53. Call 268-1068 for details.

May Events

• Chateau Beychevelle Tasting and Dinner, 1 May
  The Grand Cru Society will be pulling some gems from its cellar for this event at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce on May 1. Six vintages of Chateau Beychevelle (1975, 1978, 1984, 1985, 1988, and 1990) will be tasted. The 1989 Mouton Rothschild will also be tasted. Members and spouses may attend for $40 each; tickets for non-members at $50 each. For details, contact Jane Ebbern at 283-7162.

• Tight Wad Oenophile, 02 May
  Quality wines don't have to be expensive. We'll prove it in this tasting of cheap and cheerful whites and reds. Find out what we consider a good deal, all under $10. Call The Kensington Wine Market (283-8000) for details.

• Argentina Round Up, 02 May
  Tasteday Thursday at The Willow Park Liquor Store. All tastings start at 7 pm. There is a charge of $5 per person that may be applied on the same night toward any purchase of $10 or more. All presentations include 5 to 7 wines or other beverage and food samples. Call The Willow Park Liquor Store 296-1640 for more details.

• Travel the Road to Kelowna's Wine Festival, 3-5 May
  Join The Road Speciality Tours for a wonderful three days of food and wine at the Kelowna Wine Festival. Enjoy culinary delights, five winery tours, and free lectures on wine and winemaking. The cost is $349 per person based on double occupancy. Call 244-7946 to book your seat on the tour.

• Ole! Ole! 7 May
  Here are the romantic wines of Spain. From a country rich in tradition come these silky, alluring wines for your drinking pleasure. Call The Kensington Wine Market (283-8000) for details.

• English Beers from Samuel Smith, 09 May
  Tasteday Thursday at The Willow Park Liquor Store. All tastings start at 7 pm. There is a charge of $5 per person that may be applied on the same night toward any purchase of $10 or more. All presentations include 5 to 7 wines or other beverage and food samples. Call The Willow Park Liquor Store 296-1640 for more details.

• Introduction to White Wine, 9 May
  This popular course is the best way to sample six white grape varieties from around the world, and a fun way to learn about wine basics in a relaxed atmosphere. Experience the differences between Chardonnay and Viognier. Learn to pronounce Gewurztraminer. For details call the Kensington Wine Market at 283-8000.

• Dinner Event with Gallo Wines, 10 May
  Sponsored by The Society for American Wines. Details to follow.

• Introduction to Red Wine, 14 May
  This class is always packed. Here's your chance to sample six delicious red wines. Learn the difference between Cabernet and Merlot, Pinotage and Shiraz. You'll discover helpful buying tips as well as how to taste wine. For details call the Kensington Wine Market at 283-8000.

• The Annual Walkabout, Australian Wine Society, 15 May
  This annual event is a good opportunity to learn more about the Australian Wine Society and Australian wines. Four stops, two reds, and two whites will be offered, with a meal thrown in.

• Patio Pandemonium: Drinks for the Outdoors, 16 May
  Tasteday Thursday at The Willow Park Liquor Store. All tastings start at 7 pm. There is a charge of $5 per person that may be applied on the same night toward any purchase of $10 or more. All presentations include 5 to 7 wines or other beverage and food samples. Call The Willow Park Liquor Store 296-1640 for more details.

• Suds and Spuds, 16 May
  Join us for a tasting of some of our favorite ales, malts, and lagers from Canada's own micro-breweries, with guest speaker Alexander Diehm of Banff Brewery. Call The Kensington Wine Market (283-8000) for details.

• Wedding Wine, 21 May
  We'll give you all the information you need, and a taste of some wedding-friendly wines that won't break your budget. Your course fee will be applied towards your purchase of wedding wine from Kensington Wine Market. The cost is $25 per couple. Call The Kensington Wine Market (283-8000) for details.

• Blind as a Bat, 23 May
  Can you tell a Merlot from a Zinfandel? It is possible to like a wine before you see the label? Gather some pals and see who guesses best. For details, call The Kensington Wine Market (283-8000) for details.

• Great Grills: A Food and Wine Matching, 23 May
  Tasteday Thursday at The Willow Park Liquor Store. All tastings start at 7 pm. There is a charge of $5 per person that may be applied on the same night toward any purchase of $10 or more. All presentations include 5 to 7 wines or other beverage and food samples. Call The Willow Park Liquor Store 296