Though I can’t make the 9th annual Madison Food and Wine Show this weekend because I’ll be out of town, I thought I’d take a look back at a previous recap I wrote:
My third time to the annual Food and Wine Show at the Alliant Energy Exhibition Hall was like the previous times: enjoyable and filling.
The ticket price at $37 in advance is a bit steep, so you have to really eat and drink a lot to get your money’s worth. I must say, I definitely did this year.
The premise, if you don’t know, is that you get to try unlimited free samples of wine and bite-sized food from many, many regional vendors. Some of the stands have several dozen samples of wine! That’s why many people get weekend passes for the three-day event.
Also worth noting: you get to keep the wine glass you use for sampling, and many other freebies throughout the event are available.
Since I wasn’t driving, I went all out–a big mistake as I ended up having exactly 50 samples of wine, three beers and two margaritas. Talk about a hangover!
As usual, Sentry Metcalfe’s and Willy St. Co-op provided some great food to sample.
There’s also several cooking shows, including the entertaining chef cook-off (won this year by the Concourse Hotel cook).
Most of the wine is available for purchase as you leave. Saturday night also has had a secret top-shelf (all wines worth $40 or more) party.
I highly recommend going if you can afford it.
When Peppino’s closed on Dec. 23, 2009, rumors circulated that its successor would open in early 2010. As I walked by the building over the past few months, I’ve noticed the interior remodeling has been extensive, which may be the reason for the delay in opening.
