The days are just PACKED

Harvest time in the vineyards seems to coincide with party time in the city. The wine, food and social scene in Ottawa has exploded in September and October, with plenty for hungry foodies and wineaux to do.

Got plans for this weekend? How about a chic pop-up picnic at a mystery locale? Harvest Noir invites guests to get all spiffied-up in their best black threads, pack a gourmet picnic and come celebrate the harvest at a not-yet-known venue that is expected to pretty much blow everyone's mind. Spots in "free-form seating" are still available.

Saturday's Vintages release highlights Piedmont and Tuscany, but some tasty picks from Ontario are also now available: Reif's kiln-dried shiraz blend, The Magician, and Foreign Affair's The Conspiracy. Two wines I think I'll buy just based on cool names alone.

Later on this month, rare back vintages from Cave Spring will be the highlight of an exclusive tasting event at Terrence Robert Gallery, on Monday, October 24. Reps from the Robert Groh agency and key players from top winemakers like McManis and Clos du Val will also be on hand to share a tipple or two with you.  

Natalie Maclean will be launching her new book, Unquenchable, at Play Food and Wine on Tuesday, October 25. Tickets are $50 and include a copy of the book (which, if you ask really nicely, I'm sure Natalie will sign), wines to quaff, nibblies to nosh and a fun night among groovy folks. 

Savvy Company has some spectacular evenings lined up this month, including craft beer classes; an international taste-n-buy with wines only restaurants have access to; and their fourth annual glammed-up soirée featuring top-shelf Ontario wines not found at the LCBO. (Great place to get some ideas for Christmas.)

And one cannot forget the gastronomic event of the year, the Ottawa Wine and Food Festival, now back home at the newly revamped Ottawa Convention Centre. Five days of events (November 9 - 13) go beyond the main showcase floor, which will be bursting at the seams with local and international purveyors of wine, fine food and cool stuff. (But will the super-cool, everybody-wants-one glass-holding plates be available for purchase? We shall see ...) You KNOW I'm going to be there ...