Michael's Forks & Corks Free Wine Tasting 3-5 p.m. Tomorrow; Italian Wine Dinner with Leonardo LoCascio

3-5 p.m. Tomorrow Afternoon
Michael's Forks & Corks Tasting

Please join us from 3-5 p.m. tomorrow for a special free wine tasting celebrating the 6th Annual Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival which officially begins today with numerous events throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

Tomorrow, take advantage of this opportunity to meet 17 international winemakers and owners at Michael's Wine Cellar.

Open House

Michael's Forks & Corks Wine Tasting
Saturday, January 26

3-5 p.m.

Robert Hall Winery,
Paso Robles, California

Swanson Winery
Napa Valley, California

Capture Wines
Sonoma County, California

Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal
Pauillac, France

Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards
Napa Valley, California

Domaine Ehrhart
Alsace, France

Maison Bertrand Ambroise
Burgundy, France

Michael David Winery
Lodi, California

Marquis du Goulaine
Loire Valley, France

Pedroncelli Winery
Sonoma County, California

Alexander Valley Vineyards
Alexander Valley, California

Tortoise Creek
Languedoc, France

San Polo, Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy

Poggio al Tesoro, Bolgheri
Tuscany Italy

Allegrini

Veneto, Italy

Bodega Catena Zapata
Mendoza, Argentina

Alma Negra
Mendoza, Argentina

Joseph Carr
Napa Valley, California

Rocca delle Macie
Tuscany, Italy

Ferrari
Trentino, Italy

No RSVP required.

(Michael's next Open House Wine Tasting is also coming up quickly! Please join us again at Michael's Wine Cellar from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, February 2 for our next monthly Open House event.)

BordeauxGrapes

First Ever Forks & Corks Wine Competition: "Best of Show" Wines

Last month, The Sarasota-Manatee Originals hosted "Top of the Class," an inaugural wine competition for the 2013 Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival which begins today.

A panel of 16 area-based wine experts tasted nearly 250 wine entries from Forks & Corks participating wineries from around the world. The judges, each of whom sampled at least 60 wines apiece, spent nearly six hours evaluating the wines before coming up with the top winners. (A tough gig, right?)

And the winners are:

2011 Highfield Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Marlborough, New Zealand
$19.95

2011 Willamette Valley Vineyards Riesling

Willamette Valley, Oregon
$12.95

2008 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cyrus, Cabernet Blend
Alexander Valley, California
$49.95

(Special Forks & Corks pricing is available for a limited time!)

Michael's Wine Cellar is pleased to have all three "Best of Show" wines available for sale in the store, Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Days to Enter Design & Dine Contest

Click here to learn how to enter a special contest for a $10,000 Backyard Makeover by ArtisTree and Festive Soiree catered by Michael's On East.

Michael's On East has partnered with ArtisTree Landscape Maintenance and Design, The Observer Media Group and Sarasota Magazine on this program.

Good luck!

Final Week for Greek Epicurean Adventure

Lamb Shanks Plaki-Style

Plum Tomatoes, Roasted Zucchini, Fennel,

Fresh Oregano & Rice Pilaf

Click here for Michael's Greek Epicurean Adventure lunch and dinner specialty menus, available through January 31.

For more information or reservations, call 941-366-0007, ext. 224 or click here to make online reservations.

SPACE AVAILABLE

Tomorrow's Italian Wine Dinner with Leonardo LoCascio!

LoCascio

Due to a last minute cancellation, we have several seats available for tomorrow evening's Italian Wine Dinner hosted by Winebow, Inc. founder and chairman Leonardo LoCascio.

Named on of the most influential wine personalities of the last 20 years, LoCasio will be showcasing his wines from:

San Polo, Montalcino, Tuscany

Poggio al Tesoro, Bolgheri, Tuscany

Allegrini, Veneto

Please call immediately
for reservations as this opportunity will be
filled quickly:

941-366-0007, ext. 224.

Please click here to review the amazing menu designed especially for this event. This Italian Wine Dinner will be held at 7 p.m. tomorrow evening at Michael's Wine Cellar.

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Monday:
The Happiest Day
of the Week at Michael's On East

Each Monday night through
March 11, a percentage
of beverage sales in the Michael's On East Lounge will support
Mote Marine Laboratory.

Join us for extended happy hour prices all night,
from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., while helping
Mote advance the science
of the sea.

Yes, that means
$5 beers, Michael's private wine label and specialty cocktails until 10 p.m. on Mondays!