By Matthew Halverson
Want to sip some wine at the base of a scenic hill by the water but can’t stomach another weekend of Franzia at your cousin’s shack at the Lake of the Ozarks? Cleanse your palate and head to Art Hill later this month for the second annual St. Louis Wine Festival. Wine will be in no short supply (vintages from as far away as Australia and Hungary will be available), but neither will food, so we did the legwork and drafted a little pairing preview of local vineyards’ and restaurants’ proposed offerings. You have our permission to cut this out and take it with you.
If you’re drinking…Stone Hill Winery’s Vidal Blanc “Wicked”
Try it with…Cajun barbecue shrimp from Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
If you’re drinking…Illinois Cellars’ Apple Wine
Try it with…Italian-sausage patty with roasted peppers and onions from LoRusso’s Cucina
If you’re drinking…Mount Pleasant Winery’s Cuvée Blanc
Try it with…Pork tenderloin with Dijon Marsala sauce from Hanneke’s Westwood Catering
If you’re drinking…Augusta Winery’s River Valley White
Try it with…Mini-chicken kebab with pepper, red onion, and Jamaican barbecue sauce from Weber’s Front Row
If you’re drinking…Cave Vineyard’s Chambourcin
Try it with…Black pepper–rubbed filet mignon sandwich from Fleming’s
If you’re drinking…St. James Winery’s Friendship School White
Try it with…Lemon-chicken pasta from Bar Louie
St. Louis Wine Festival. Times: 4–9 p.m. October 13, 1–8 p.m. October 14, 1–6 p.m. October 15. $20 in advance, $25 at the door; designated drivers $10 in advance, $15 at the door; $17.50 in advance for groups of 15 or more. Grand Basin (at the foot of Art Hill), Forest Park. www.stlouiswinefestival.com
