Plato said, “Nothing more excellent or valuable than wine was ever granted by the gods to man.” So true! Moreover, the cusp of winter is no time to anger a bunch of mythological gods who might be looking down on Provincetown by turning down some vino. It’s only right, then, that our wine-loving people should partake in the copious flow happening at the 2nd annual Provincetown Food & Wine Festival happening around town Nov. 2 though 6.
There are several fine wine dinners and fundraisers at Tin Pan Alley (a portion of proceeds will benefit the Soup Kitchen in Provincetown) and the Crown & Anchor (to benefit the Provincetown Commons), where you can drop between $175 and $300 for a special meal, wine pairing, and cause.
Café Heaven will host a $150 wine tasting (a portion of proceeds will go to the Rachel Schwolow Foundation).
There’s also a Grand Tasting at Town Hall for $75, where samples of over 300 wines will be available for sniffing, swirling, and sipping. There’s even a two-show drag brunch featuring Cava — “We do NOT call Cava ‘Spanish Champagne,’ ” writes festival organizer Matthew King — for $75.
But unlike Zeus and Athena, who were always flush with coin, your more earthly plastic debit card might be feeling pinched as we look toward the quiet months. Is it possible to participate in this celebration of fermented grapes without depleting your snow-melting salt budget? Yes, you can. Here are four events where you can rub shoulders with fellow wine lovers for $25 or less.
Trivia night at the Provincetown Brewing Co. The official guide doesn’t say whether any actual wine will be poured, but there will be beer, which is like wine except for being completely different. The point is there will be games and good times. Thursday, Nov. 3 from 7 to 9 p.m., $10.
Gallery sip & stroll. If there’s one thing gallery owners know, it’s that a little liquor can really help a person imagine how great an expensive piece of art will look in their living room. That’s why Leonardo Da Vinci’s Drink & Draw parties were once the toast of Florence. Fifteen galleries are listed as participants in the guide, but most of the Provincetown galleries will be open. Friday, Nov. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m., free.
Chocolate & port versus red wine dessert tasting at Harbor Lounge. A chocolatier and a wine specialist will present pairings of chocolate and wine. What’s not to love? Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 p.m., $25.
Pie competition at the Commons event space. Here’s a chance to begin thinking about how to end your Thanksgiving meal. These pies will be judged by a special panel of pie connoisseurs, and pies will be offered for sale. The guide promises that there will be “something to sip.” I’m guessing … wine? Sunday, Nov. 6, from 1 to 3 p.m., free.
