Monday, February 9
Mon Ami Gabi, the Bethesda branch of the French-bistro chain, presents a Tour of Southern France wine dinner. The five-course meal costs $55 and includes cream-of-chestnut soup with a warm Brie crouton; mâche salad with roasted beets and walnut-crusted goat cheese; pan-seared trout with cured ham, parsley, and brown butter; seven-hour roasted lamb shoulder with white beans, garlic, and tomato confit; and a crepe with brandied cherries and crème pâtisserie. Each course will be paired with a French wine, which Lucien Walsh of Chesapeake Beverage Group will introduce. The dinner begins at 6:30. For reservations, call 301-654-1234.
Tuesday, February 10
Vinoteca hosts a winetasting class on the Languedoc, Roussillon, and Provence regions of France. The class, which runs from 7 to 8, costs $35 and includes a personal cheese board and $5 Vinoteca gift card. Call 202-332-9463 to reserve a spot.
Wednesday, February 11
Wine bar/cafe/restaurant Food Matters presents a wine dinner focusing on Edward Sellers Vineyards, a Paso Robles winery that uses Rhône grapes. The five-course meal costs $85 per person and goes from 7 to 10. For reservations, call 703-461-3663.
Thursday, February 12
There’s a free wine tasting every Thursday at Cowgirl Creamery. Cowgirl’s wine representative is on hand to introduce between one and three wines. For $10, guests can buy a cheese plate (three cheeses, baguette, membrillo) to pair with them. The tasting runs from 4 to 6. For more information, call 202-393-6880.
Chef and charcuterie master Jamie Stachowski, whose terrines and sausages are in many a local restaurant, is teaming up with Tracy O’Grady for a wine dinner at her restaurant, Willow. Also on hand will be winemaker Matias Mayol from Argentina. The dinner begins at 7:30 and costs $65. Call 703-465 -8800 for reservations.
Friday, February 13
Start your Valentine’s weekend with a dessert-wine tasting at the new Zola Wine and Kitchen (505 Ninth St., NW). Sommelier Elli Benchimol will lead guests through a tasting of late-harvest wines: German Eiswein, Moscato d’Asti, Brachetto d’Aqui, Cilce Monastrell, Sauternes, and Auslese. The class, which runs from 7:30 to 9, also includes house-made chocolate truffles and hand-dipped biscotti. It’s $80 per person, $150 per couple. Call 202-639-9463 for reservations.
Saturday, February 14, and Sunday, February 15
The tenth annual Washington, DC International Wine & Food Festival is this weekend. The event includes 600 wines to sample from 150 wineries, a Grand Cru wine lounge, and demonstrations from chefs including former Hook chef Barton Seaver and Patrice Olivon of L’Academie de Cuisine. Martin Yan (Martin Yan’s China), and Christina Pirello (Christina Cooks) will also attend. The festival runs from 2 to 6 both days and costs $85 per single-day and $140 per two-day ticket. It will be held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. For tickets, call 800-343-1174 or visit wine-expos.com.
Saturday, February 14, and Sunday, February 15
Check out our Tables for Two Valentine’s post for an extensive list of Valentine’s-themed menus available throughout the weekend.
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