Perfect Pairings of Food and Wine Amid Lush Flowering Tropical Plants - It's An Evening Uncorked!

MARCH 23 Update: Here's a slideshow of the festivities.



After the latest spate of snowy weather, frigid temperatures, and biting cold winds, a tropical getaway to warmer surroundings sounds pretty inviting, doesn't it?

On March 19, wine lovers are invited to get away to the tropics – without ever leaving Rhode Island.

That's the bonus of attending this year's An Evening Uncorked!, the annual food and wine event to benefit WSBE Rhode Island PBS. This year's gala will take place in New England's largest indoor garden, the Botanical Center at Roger Williams Park, on Saturday, March 19, at 7 p.m.


Amid lush exotic flowers and trees, chefs from some of Rhode Island’s top restaurants will prepare tasting-sized portions of dishes that will be paired with just the right wine to complement the flavors. Participating restaurants include: Blaze, Capital Grille, Fireworks Catering, Harry's Bar & Burger, Nick's on Broadway, The Ocean House, Perro Salado, and Pot au Feu; MS Walker will provide the international wines.

An Evening Uncorked! will also feature a silent auction and a traditionally lively live auction of classic and cult wines. [Partial list attached.] The fund raising event is co-chaired by Aldo Cipriano, Gary Light, and Greg Mitrakas. Committee members include Ivan Colon, James Leach, Karla Little, Ann Martini, and Len Penagio. Committee members come from diverse walks of life, but share a common passion for wines and wine collecting. The group is also enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge about various wines. The energy, ideas and discussions – and the donations that come in as a result – set An Evening Uncorked! apart from other local wine auctions. Most of the bottles we offer just can’t be found in your local wine shop.

Donations come from private wine collectors, as well as local retailers, and restaurants. Non-wine auction items include gift baskets, hotel stays, and restaurant gift certificates. Auctioneer Richard J. Conti of Conti Estates, Auctions, & Appraisals in Attleboro, will keep the bidding lively and exciting.

Tickets to the gala are $125 per person and must be purchased in advance by calling 401-222-3636, extension 327, or online at www.ripbs.org. The popular event has sold out in past years; guests are encouraged to buy tickets early to avoid disappointment. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend. Cocktail attire is appropriate. Support for An Evening Uncorked! is provided by Gencorp Insurance Group, and Adler Pollock & Sheehan, PC. All proceeds benefit programming at WSBE Rhode Island PBS.

Classic Wines
1998 Chateauneuf-du-Pape (Value of this lot: $900)
1998 Beaucastel Chateauneuf-de-Pape
1998 Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-de-Pape
1998 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-de-Pape
1998 Paul Autard Chateauneuf-de-Pape
1998 Monpertois Chateauneuf-de-Pape Tradition
1998 Pegau Chateauneuf-de-Pape
1998 Charbonniere Chateauneuf-de-Pape VV
1998 Moulin Tacussel Chateauneuf-de-Pape
1998 La Nerthe Chateauneuf-de-Pape

Silver Oaks Cabernet Vertical (Value of this lot: $700)
1982 Silver Oak Napa Valley
1985 Silver Oak Napa Valley
1988 Silver Oak Napa Valley
1990 Silver Oak Alexander Valley
1991 Silver Oak Alexander Valley
1996 Silver Oak Alexander Valley
1998 Silver Oak Alexander Valley
2000 Silver Oak Alexander Valley

2 bottles of 1984 Stag's Leap Cabernet Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon (Value of this lot: $400)
Rated 94 points by Robert Parkers Wine Advocate

Cult Wines
8 bottles of 2000 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon (Value: $750)

• 94 points Robert Parker: "The dark ruby-colored 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon has a nose reminiscent of a blackberry-flavored Yoplait yogurt laced with roasted oak and hints of licorice. A full-bodied wine of power and structure, it is crammed with black currants, blackberries, and spices. Its dense fruit is matched blow for blow with a muscular, firm structure. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2020." (12/02)
• 93 points Wine Spectator: "Announces itself as a serious red from the first whiff of earthy, smoky notes weaving through the licorice-scented dark berry flavors. This firm, chewy wine expands on the long finish under a layer of fine-grained tannins, holding it all together seamlessly. It begs for time in the cellar to develop. Best after 2006." (09/03)
• 92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Bright medium ruby. Aromas of crystallized dark berries, tobacco, mocha, peat, graphite and smoky, spicy oak. Very rich and dense but not overly sweet, with strong oak notes of spice and chocolate along with suggestions of pipe tobacco and fresh herbs. Finishes with ripe, chocolatey tannins and excellent length."

Cult Napa Cabernets (Value: $700)
2 bottles of 1999 Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
1 bottle of 1999 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon
1 bottle of 1999 Rudd Jericho Canyon Red
1 bottle of 1999 Laird Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2 bottles of 1999 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon
2 bottles of 2000 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon

Rare California Reds (Value: $700)
4 bottles of 2004 Radio-Coteau Pinot Noir Savoy
1 bottle of 2004 Radio-Coteau Pinot Noir La Neblina
1 bottle of 2003 Alban Vineyards Grenache Estate
1 bottle of 2003 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva
1 bottle of 2003 Alban Vineyards Syrah Lorraine

Perfect Pairings: Great Food & Fine Wine in a Lush Tropical Garden

I don't know about you, but after this latest streak of snow, frigid temperatures, and biting cold wind, a tropical getaway to warmer surroundings sounds pretty inviting. On February 6, you can get away to the tropics – without ever leaving Rhode Island!

That's the bonus of attending this year's An Evening Uncorked, the annual food and wine event to benefit WSBE Rhode Island PBS. This year's gala will be held in New England's largest indoor garden, the Botanical Center at Roger Williams Park, on Saturday, February 6 at 7 P.M.


Amid lush exotic flowers and trees, chefs from 10 of Rhode Island’s top restaurants will prepare tasting-sized portions of dishes that will be paired with just the right wine to complement the flavors. Participating restaurants are 1149, 3 Steeple Street, Blaze, Capital Grille, Gracie's, Haruki, New Rivers, Nick’s on Broadway, Pot Au Feu, and Trio. MS Walker will provide the wines.

An Evening Uncorked will also feature live and silent auctions of highly collectible wines. The fundraiser is co-chaired by Aldo Cipriano, Gary Light, and Greg Mitrakas.

Tickets to An Evening Uncorked are $100 per person and must be purchased in advance. Call 401-222-3636, x327, or visit our Web site. The popular event has sold out in past years, so get your tickets early to avoid disappointment. Since alcohol is served, this event is open to adults 21 years of age or older only. Cocktail attire is appropriate. (I plan to wear pretty shoes - not practical snow boots. Hope the weather cooperates with my plan.)


An Evening Uncorked is underwritten by Gencorp Insurance Group, and Adler Pollock and Sheehan, PC. All proceeds benefit WSBE Rhode Island PBS.

An Evening Uncorked!

It's one of the station's best events. The food is phenomenal, the variety of wines is amazing, and the fun is... over the top. Technically, it's our annual wine auction, but it really is a wine event - "An Evening Uncorked!"

The image to the left is our publicity materials for this year - a quick way to convey what the event is about. When I considered how to describe the event, I was surprised to find the right words on both ends of the scale - not quite opposite, but certainly in high contrast to each other.

The event really is at the same time elegant and casual (we all put on nice clothes but we don't put on airs), intimate and sociable (we sit at tables in small groups, but there's so much mingling all night) , epicurean and philanthropic (the foods and wines stoke our gustatory pleasure - which is pretty self-focused - but we gather to generously raise money for Rhode Island PBS).

For this, our eighth consecutive year, we return on October 3rd to the site of the original wine event: the historic Roger Williams Park Casino. This stately historic mansion is a lovely setting for this event, and it's nice to be back.

Tickets are $100 per person (table of 10 for $900) and include an elaborate wine tasting reception at 6, featuring international and domestic wines, and passed hors d'oeuvres; formal gourmet dinner and dessert at 7:30, and wine with dinner.

During the reception, browse the silent auction of collectible wines, bar and beverage gifts and accessories... and always a few tempting surprises. After dinner, the live auction introduces a variety of rare and fine wines, and unique dining and entertainment packages.

Here's a small sample of the offerings:

• Seven-course dinner and wine tasting in your home by Gracie's Restaurant
• Vertical selection of classified Bourdeaux from the 2000 vintage
• Nine-bottle collection of top-rated California and Washington red wines
• Three-bottle collection of Peter Michael wines
  
• Overnight stay and dinner at the The Renaissance Providence Hotel

Visit our Web site (www.ripbs.org) to see other items - even place a proxy bid if you can't attend!

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Have you attended An Evening Uncorked in the past? Have any stories or memories you wish to share?