The Place to ‘Vie’ was Philly Wine Week’s ‘Opening Corks’ Event

Hip hip valet (parking)!

“The best way to learn about wine is in the drinking.” – Alexis Lichine

Story, photos by Sharon Kozden

I don’t do beer. Exception: when at Citizens Bank Park, cheering on the Phightins’. Neither is hard liquor my cuppa char. Exception: Margaritas. I just like reading drink menus’ whimsical “drinks with names” (as I call them) – creative descriptions of specialty cocktails. Same with cookbooks. Not being a cook doesn’t stop me from appreciating the photos, asides and foreign-sounding ingredients.

So no brew. Nothing hardcore. What remains? WINE. Now we’re talking! Wine is in a glass (and a class) by itself, as was the 5th Annual Philly Wine Week held at VIE on March 22nd. Opening Corks, the kick-off event of an entire week’s worth of all things wine, highlighted Philadelphia’s rich trove of vino offerings (100-plus!) accompanied by foodstuffs from more than 65 of Philadelphia’s finest restaurants. With tickets at $48, the ample samplings and quality of both wines and eats was worth the ticket price and then some.

I arrived at VIE early, when the carpet could still be seen before masses of foot traffic (a.k.a. guests) descended to obscure it. All levels (and lovers) of wine were present: novices, enthusiasts, aficionados, connoisseurs as well as the apex of the drink-chain expertise, sommeliers a.k.a. wine stewards. All mixed and sipped in communion. And speaking of communion (digression alert!), I’m reminded of myself as a kiddo, living a block from a Catholic church. Back of the parking lot, neighborhood mischief makers gathered to dumpster dive and imbibe discarded wine bottles’ residual contents. Drinking and biking. Dangerous combo.

VIE is gorgeous–spacious and perfectly tailored to host a densely populated and popular gig, which has sold out for years. At the registration table, I checked in and was presented a commemorative logo-etched wine glass as a keepsake. Nice touch. Before entering the event’s main room, an upscale champagne bar proffered bubby and hors d’oeuvres for VIP guests, who were permitted to enter an hour early–a taster before the actual tasting. Post-bubbly, yet before the main room was the starter bar, the warm-up space with light bites and the preliminary–but no less impressive–sipping stop. Di Bruno Bros. set out quite the tempting and eye-pleasing array of wine-centric, light-bite accompaniments centered around a mammoth-sized and elegant floral focal point. The wine bar was more than a line-up of tenders pouring. These folks were more than eager to display their knowledge in a Q & A like-session, offering factoids about guests chosen wines. Comprehensive fact sheets were available, to boot. Another nice touch and evidence that Philly takes seriously its Wine Week.

Finally and after some delightful pit-stops, I entered the main ballroom, replete with another full bar and hosts of tasting tables. Nothing was left to chance at this party. Deejay. Check. Vineyard experts extolling the gamut of grapes from countries far and wide such as France, Italy, South Africa and New Zealand, to name a few. Pennsylvania was additionally well-represented.

But wait: there was more. Gift-basket raffles and a talented array of local artist displaying their wares, including hand-fashioned jewelry and uniquely unique artwork, the proceeds of which benefitted disabled artists through the Center for Creative Works.

Panorama co-founder as well as Philly Wine Week Co-founder Bill Eccleston reminded all that “Real men drink Rose, too.” The Vintage Syndicate’s Kate Moroney (also Wine Week’s co-founder) had this to say: “We’re excited to keep Philly Wine Week chugging along and spreading the word that wine doesn’t have to be complicated, fussy or saved for a special occasion.

Don’t think this foodie has any intention of signing off with the hopes readers will appreciate a listing of the participating restaurants. Shout outs to: The Good King Tavern, Lacroix, Tria, Tinto, American Sardine Bar, Oloroso, Barbuzzo, Jet Wine Bar, Royal Boucherie, Maison 208 and Plenty Café. Check out the snaps below for a preview or a review. If you’ve never had the chance or inclination to attend, here’s hoping this piece will encourage your attendance in 2019.

As always, kudos to the wonderful sponsors, participants and volunteers who execute a hella wine time. And on that note (or bouquet) fellow “winos,” cheers and “a votre sante.”

Corkscrew graphic reppin’ Philly Wine Week’s debut event, “Opening Corks.”

Let the VIP early birds’ registration begin.

Like a few glasses with your wine? Talk about an army in perfect formation.

(Cork) screw the rest: this commemorative souvenir will always be my go-to wine glass.

All this and bubbly, too. Whetting my whiskers with champagne starter before heading into the event’s bar area.

Impressive and towering floral decorative focal-point flanked by light bites from Di Bruno Bros. Catering.

Perfect variety (breads, fruit, cheese, pecans and more) to line belly before boozing. All y’all know not to drink on an empty stomach lest quicker absorption bypass any tipsy stage.

Is there anything more thrilling for foodies (eating the food is a ‘big-duh’ given) than foodstuffs’ elegant and unique descriptors? I’d much prefer ‘Cinnful Cocoa Pecans’ to nuts.

Francophile that I am, “Je veux du vin blanc, s’il vous plait.”

In addition to its perfect bouquet, this well may rank as the prettiest wine bottle I’ve seen, particularly the rose color as well as the title.

On leaving, I couldn’t resist a snap of these two relaxed and comfy-looking later arrivals.

With early VIP entry, I could see the carpeting. Within 30 minutes, crowd cover made it disappear.

The masses amass. Give us your moneyed, your energetic and your thirsty.

Hiya, Porky a.k.a. the other white meat.

Porky Pig made for some melt-in-mouth succulence.

Porcine palette-pleaser.

Tasting with intention. These folks want to know that of which they sip.

Philly Wine Week co-founder Bill Eccelston and guest graciously take time from mingling to pose.

Uber-popular tasty treat. I went for thirds. Servers ran like Kenyan marathoners to keep pace with grabbers.

Chef Garces knows exactly what eats pair well with the finest wines.

“In vino veritas.” Something tells me this is a sommelier doing his thing rather than a wine-fueled, secrets-revealing truth-telling.

Deejay serves up a model of red, a model of white complimentary tunes.

Fava bean toast was another personal favorite.

Sharon: don’t mention “a nice bottle of chianti” in this caption. Crikey: I pulled a Homer Simpson and “did DOH mention it. Someone had to!

I’d love to know what percent of the crowd consisted of wine enthusiasts versus “Wine for Dummies” readers–and everything in between. No matter, really, as they were all enjoying the experience.

Anyone want to hazard a guess why these beautiful works are disguising “the windows to the soul?” Compelling works from a charming young artist.

In culinary expert hands, rice rises above its oft-ordinary staple role.

This crostini was as tasty as its descriptor in the following snap.

How much more eloquent-sounding than “toast with toppings.”

Predicament: how to segue from wine to coiffure-speak? I managed to do both and learn the secret of those gorgeous cascading blonde waves.

The second bar, where the main event took place. Soon this bar (along with the entire room) was fully populated.

Cheesecake or not, in my book this qualifies as clean eating since oatmeal is an ingredient.

Breakfast of champs!

More artisan cheeky fun. “You’re my Riesling for living.” And the hit-wits multiplied.

“Sorry I’ve been a champagne.” Of course, I had to read every last of the bon mots.

While not looking at the photo below, try to identify this delicacy as well as its ingredients.

How’d you do with the guessing? Yours had to surpass my ignorance. Delish though!

Lovely display at entrance bar. A bar within a bar within many bars–if you include the main room’s bar as well as the myriad of tasting tables.

Required reading for vino enthusiasts.

This was a little bite of heaven. I’m loving the beets’ springtime colors.

Another I returned to for a third helping. Scrumptious!

Terrific art display.

Philly Wine Week co-founder Bill Eccelston with Sharon Kozden.

Excellent trifecta presentation here: greeters, greens and grub.

While location matters, this study in presentation, presentation, presentation dominates.

If only this establishment made house calls, my mobile number would light them up more often than police do me. Just kidding there, LMPD but not about Lacroix.