Here are the events that we recommend for this weekend and beyond.  Click on the title of an event to visit that event’s web site.

• California
  • San Francisco
    • Uncorked! Wine Festival: May 17, 1 - 6 p.m. at Ghirardelli Square; see list of participating wineries by clicking here; tickets are $40 in advance, $45 at the festival.  Two free seminars hosted by well respected sommeliers, lots of wine to taste, and no driving necessary if you live in the city, collectively, are a great combination.  We recommend doing your research on the participating wineries before you go – we scanned the list quickly and already noted a few that we like. 
  • Santa Cruz Mountains
    • Corralitos Wine Trail: May 10, 1 - 5 p.m.; see list of participating wineries by clicking here; tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door.  Just a reminder about this event, about which we reported in our April 23rd “Don’t Miss” posting.   

• New York
  • Finger Lakes
    • Rendezvous with Riesling: Thursday, May 8, 7 - 10 p.m. at New York Wine & Culinary Center; $55 per person.  Just a reminder about this event, about which we reported in last week’s “Don’t Miss” posting.
  • New York City
    • Free Wine Tasting: Wines from Down Under: May 10, 2 - 6 p.m. at Tribeca Wine Merchants.  At $0, you just can beat the price!  Given what we know about Tribeca Wine Merchants, we are quite confident that the Australian and New Zealand wines that will be poured at this tasting event will be nothing short of spectacular.  Plus, this wine shop occupies a beautiful space — check out the back room, where you’re likely to find wines dating from the 1920’s.   
    • Free Wine Tasting: Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir Tasting: May 10, 2 - 5 p.m. at Acker, Merrall & Condit, 160 W. 72nd Street, (212) 787-1700.  As if one option were not enough, this tasting event presents you New Yorkers with yet a second excellent choice for sampling pricey wines at no cost this weekend.  Side-by-side samplings of Sonoma Coast Vineyards’ and Willakenzie Estate’s Pinot Noirs ought to make for an interesting contrast.
• Philadelphia
  • Seventh Annual Philadelphia Wine Festival: May 10, 6:30 - 9 p.m. at Pennsylvania Convention Center; tickets are $125 per person.  We know what you’re thinking: $125 for a measley 2.5 hours?  Just consider the fact that your ticket proceeds will benefit The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and take a look at the list of participating wineries… then you’ll see why we’re sold on this event.  During a quick scan of the list, we spotted a number of top-level producers, including Cakebread, Casa Lapostolle, Cloudy Bay, Domaine Drouhin, Drouhin, Duckhorn, Grgich, Joseph Phelps, Moet & Chandon, Quintessa, Ridge, Silver Oak, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Testarossa, and Veuve Clicquot.  Also listed were Bordeaux legends Chateau Haut-Brion and Chateau Margaux, but we’re guessing that their wines will only be poured during the VIP tasting between 5 and 6:30 p.m.  We reached out to the event organizer for more information earlier today, but we have yet to hear back.   Fingers crossed!
• Atlanta and Washington, D.C.: Nothing of interest happening this week.  Tune in next Wednesday!