Wine and food events spotlight Michigan

Goodbye, Traverse City. Hello, St. Joe!

The sixth annual Epicurean Classic has a new home.

Running Aug. 28-30, the world-class food and wine event will move from the grounds of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute in Traverse City to tents on St. Joseph's Lake Boulevard, on the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan -- the same site as the popular Krasl Art Fair every summer.

The Epicurean Classic, on a par with the classics in Aspen, Colo., and South Beach, Fla., features a roster of top chefs and wine authorities, and producers of special artisanal food products, who all have one thing in common -- they have a new book title out. And early word has it that the Food Network's Mary Sue Milliken and Chicago restaurateur Takashi Yagihashi, former chef of Tribute in Farmington Hills, are among those headed to St. Joe's Lake Bluff Park.

The event features dozens of cooking demonstrations and food and wine seminars, plus wine tastings and special receptions.

"We are excited to be in an easily accessible, densely populated area, where people can come for a day -- or take the train from Chicago or Detroit -- how cool is that!" said Mark Dressler, co-organizer of the event, along with Matt Sutherland.

KitchenAid, owned by the Benton Harbor-based Whirlpool Corp., is the prime sponsor.

An early heads up: A day pass will run $129; two-day pass $219. The schedule of presenters is not complete, nor are tickets available. But you can keep watch at http://www.epicureanclassic.com/">www.epicureanclassic.com.

Michigan Wine Month

As declared by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, April is Michigan Wine Month, and it coincides with the release of the 2009 Michigan Wine Country magazine produced by the Michigan Grape & Wine Industry Council.

It's the bible for maps, specific driving directions to the wineries, all the latest news and events. Even the ads tell you lots about the wineries and wine-country restaurants and inns.

The listings of wineries, all by region, make it easy to spot the ones that are new. This year, the state is up to a whopping 64 total, including the second winery in the U.P. -- Threefold Vine , owned by Andrew and Janice Green, located at a working farm. They grow their own grapes, all hybrids, off their land on the Garden Peninsula. (Read more about this winery next week.)

To request a complimentary copy of Michigan Wine Country, visit http://www.michiganwines.com/">www.michiganwines.com or contact the Michigan Grape & Wine Industry Council at (517) 241-1207. Copies are available at wineries.

Vinotecca and Vinology

The Royal Oak wine bar Vinotecca is celebrating Michigan Wine Month with a host of Michigan food items and wines by the glass. Special dishes include pan-seared duck breast, Finnish beef pasties, grilled salmon and walnut-crusted pork medallions. Featured wines are Shady Lane Cellars Brut 2000, Left Foot Charley Pinot Blanc 2007, and Black Star Farms Arcturos Pinot Noir 2006. Vinotecca is at 417 S. Main St.; call (248) 544-6256.

Sister wine bar Vinology in Ann Arbor is touting local wines, too, with a special Michigan Winemaker Dinner at 7 p.m. Wednesday, featuring Larry Mawby and his bubblies. Mawby will present a seminar on sparkling wines. Cost is $60 plus tax, and reservations are required. Vinology is at 110 S. Main St. Call (734) 222-9841.

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