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Liquid Tuesday: It's California Wine Month

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Apparently September is California wine month. Now, some of you might be assuming this is just another creative PR tactic to keep the wine-swilling public intently focused on all the great grapes this state has to offer. But the rest of us will take any excuse to pop the cork, and offering up a month of fantastic ferments doesn't really need a reason at all. Of course, there are a couple of great craft beer and cocktail events, but someone made an entire website about California Wine Month, so it seems pretty important. Pass the whole-bottle-of-wine glasses, it's Liquid Tuesday!

The week's biggest wine event is happening this weekend, as Santa Barbara celebrates their own Taste of the Town. It's a pricey ticket, but some of the region's best chefs and winemakers will be in attendance, offering up samples and pours of great California delicacies. You can expect a lot of spot prawns and pinot as you make your way from booth to booth - not that anyone's complaining. If you can't make it out of town this weekend, but you've still got that traveling bug, try the wine tasting Road Trip being offered by The Peninsula in Beverly Hills. For one night, you can sample a smattering of the entire state's best wine offerings, separated by region. Move from table to table and you just might feel like you're on the road.

If you're REALLY a homebody, just head over to the Sherman Oaks Galleria on Thursday night for an assorted wine tasting. More than a dozen regional wineries will be showing over 40 different wines, and you won't even have to leave the mall. To sweeten the deal (well, depends on your perspective) you can grab some finger foods provided by a few of the culinary heavyweights at the mall, including PF Chang's. Or, if you've got a bit more self-respect, you can ring in the arrival of The Book Of Mormon at The Pantages in Hollywood with one of the newly created cocktails from Wood & Vine, across the street. Heralding the arrival of the most talked-about musical in decades, the restaurant will have $8 themed cocktails on hand (Latter Day Night Fever anyone?), and a $25 pre-fixe menu that will get you out the door before the curtain rises.

Don't worry, hardcore drinkers; this week hasn't forgotten about you. The truly dedicated can head over to Santa Monica starting tonight for Sourfest 2012, happening at the Library Alehouse. It's a week of celebrating the sourest, more lip-curlingest beers available from around the world, with tonight's kickoff party for Locals Only. Well, local breweries that is. Anyone looking for a drink is encouraged to attend. If you can't make tonight, know that the event is running through the weekend. And, with California Wine Month just getting started, you might need to pace yourself this early into September.

For more food and drink events visit kcet.org/events/food.

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