Eastern States Exposition to host Taste of Table & Vine

Date: 5/22/2015

WEST SPRINGFIELD – Looking for a chance to expand your palette when it comes to wines, beer and spirits? The offerings planned at the “Taste of Table & Vine” will do just that.

The third annual tasting event will be May 30 at the Young Building of the Eastern States Exposition from 5 to 8 p.m. The “Taste” will raise funds for the Friends of the Library in West Springfield, Wilbraham, Northampton and Greenfield, as well as The Big E’s Agriculture and Education programming.

Along with the “Taste,” the third annual 5K Grape Chase Road Race will also be conducted that day at 11 a.m. The rain or shine run through the grounds of the Big E is a 5K Grape Chase Road Race and walkers are also welcome. The race also has a division for kids as well.

Although Table & Vine has various tasting events through the year, Donald MacIver, director of Marketing, Table & Vine Division, told Reminder Publications, “This has grown into a signature event.”

He said about 30 percent of the runners come back later in the day for the tasting event.

MacIver said the variety of wines, beers and spirits to be offered is quite wide. The event will feature more than 400 wines including Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay, J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon, Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva, Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc and Kung Fu Girl Riesling, among many others. Also included in the line-up will be a number of wines rated 90 points or higher by Wine Spectator or Wine Advocate such as Seven Deadly Zins, Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon, Earthquake Zinfandel and Charles & Charles Chardonnay.

There will also be over 100 select craft beers and 50 spirits to sample including offerings from Wormtown Brewery, White Lion Brewing Co., Berkshire Brewing Co., Brooklyn Brewery, Sierra Nevada, Table & Vine exclusive craft brews, Ryan & Wood Distillers, Bonnie Rose Flavored Whiskeys, Pierre Ferrand Cognac and Glendalough Whiskies.

MacIver said, “Try a bunch of different stuff and take notes. This is an event for all levels [of expertise].” There will be representatives from the various companies to answer questions.

To accompany the beverages will be food offered by four different restaurants, as well as some Big Y – the parent company of Table & Vine – signature food items.

In the Connoisseurs’ Room, though the stakes get even higher with tastings of Pappy Van Winkle 12, 20 and 23-year old Bourbon, Samuel Adams Utopias; 2004 Dom Perignon, Armand de Brignac Brut Gold (Ace of Spades), Cristal, 2003 Leoville Las Casa Bordeaux, Spencer Trappist Ale and Goose Island Beer. Fine foods include jumbo shrimp and crab legs from North Coast Seafoods.

For bourbon lovers, the opportunity to sample all three of the Pappy Van Winkle bourbons is pretty rare. MacIver explained the small batch spirits are not easy to obtain – Table & Vine receives a limited order annually – and many bourbon drinkers haven’t had the chance to try them.

“That in itself is worth the price of admission,” MacIver said of the Pappy Van Winkle tasting.

Table & Vine is offering a one-day only event discount in conjunction with the event. Participants can mix or match any six bottles of wine or liquor from the event and receive 15 percent off of the purchase price. Orders will be taken the night of the event and can be picked up at the West Springfield Table & Vine store location or shipped anywhere in Massachusetts.

Tickets for the “Taste of Table and Vine” are $45 in advance, $50 at the door and $75 for the Connoisseurs’ Room. To purchase tickets, visit The Big E Box Office, 1305 Memorial Ave., www.TheBigE.com, Table & Vine at 1119 Riverdale St. or www.TableandVine.com.

Tickets are also available at 22 select Big Y World Class Market in the area and Fresh Acres Market, 1941 Wilbraham Road, Springfield. Parking for this event is free on the Exposition grounds.

Participation in the 5K Grape Chase Road Race is $30 on the day of the event. A combination advance ticket that includes the race and the evening wine tasting is available for $60 to those pre-registered over the age of 21. The first 500 people who pre-register will receive a t-shirt, goodie bag and free parking. All participants will receive a free beverage (soda or beer, ID required) following the race.

Registration is online only at www.grape.racewire.com. Pre-registered runners/walkers may pick up their packets at Table & Vine, 1119 Riverdale St., West Springfield May 28 and 29 from noon to 8 p.m. Packets must be picked up in advance to take advantage of the free parking offer.

For more information, call 737-2443 or visit www.TheBigE.com or www.tableandvine.com.