By the looks of things, there was nothing “blue” at all about the Charlotte Wine and Food Weekend’s (CWFW) popular Big Bottles and Blues event last Friday. In fact, it was downright festive. Then again, how could it not be? It was a perfectly clear, warm spring night with good music and bottles and bottles ... and bottles ... of wine.
Held in Gateway Village, the shindig drew hundreds of wine and beer drinkers to sample selections from over 50 wineries and breweries. In addition, a bar was set up offering liquor concoctions like Mojitos and martinis.
Following the sound of a little background music from The Robert Foley Band that could be heard down block, I literally meandered through the white fences that were set up around the perimeter to act as barricades against those who were not supposed to be there. Me? A party crasher? Not hardly. I was supposed to be there, badge and all. But the official entranceway proved to be a little too elusive for my short amount of patience.
Once inside, I was bummed to find that they had run out of the nice large, heavy commemorative wine glasses from which everyone was swigging their vino of choice. Luckily, I managed to finagle one from a friend (thanks, Carlton!) because from what I could tell there was to be no wine drinking in anything other than those glasses.
There were constant and generous pours of every kind of red, white and blush you could think of, with red seeming to be the overwhelming choice judging by the stains on mouth and remnants left in long-forgotten wineglasses which littered the tables. Luckily, there was also plenty of Figi water available to dilute the notorious effects of consuming too much of those fermented grapes.
Besides the comedy of me trying to balance my wineglass, my blackberry, and a pen and pad, the attendees who thought, no, apparently believed, that they were great dancers was classic. One gentlemen performed a mean 1960s Swim dance routine while others, well, let's just say they looked more like they were dancing to the words of the songs versus any actual rhythm.
Two years ago when I first attended the CWFW, it was to take part in a basic wine knowledge class. It was early in the day on a Saturday, involved classroom desks and chairs, a worksheet and very meticulous pours by a waitstaff at Johnson & Wales. A decidedly different experience from Friday night, but both events and for that matter, all the other ones going on this weekend, are great ways to spend a couple days for any wine drinker or foodie or anyone, really, looking for something different to do. Plus, it’s for a good cause.
Sponsored by RBC Wealth Management, the proceeds from this event benefited the CWFW’s 2010 recipients: Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Council for Children’s Rights, Johnson & Wales University, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, and the W.I.S.H. Program (Workforce Initiative for Supportive Housing). Founded in 1989 by a group of civic-minded wine and food enthusiasts, the Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend has contributed over $3.2 million dollars to the local community since then.
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