Greetings, Nothing official on the docket for this week. (There was some talk of going to Sapor, but I don't know that we have critical mass. Let me know if that's changed.) The East Side Neighborhood Assoc. tasting is 5 to 8 on Thursday at the Nicollet Island Pavilion. Go to the website FFI. http://www.esns.org/index.asp?Type=B_EV&SEC={A7C12463-09B6-45DB-8891-3E… TICKETS - $35 in advance, and $40 at the door. Call 612-781-6011 for ticket information Surly Brewing Open House is Friday 4-8 and Saturday noon-4. Free tours and samples including Bender, Furious, and the new Cynic Ale. Off 100 in Crystal SurlyBrewing.com FFI. Blessing of the Maibock is at 6:00 on Saturday at Mpls TownHall Brewery. Cedar/Riverside/Washington. Free Maibock from 6 until 7. Cheers, Jim Here's a list of "crowd pleasers" from The Post. They're also "good to have on hand". WINE For Large Events, Simplify Your Choices Wednesday, May 10, 2006; F05 BEN GILIBERTI Theoretically, five different wines are needed for a full menu at a graduation party, anniversary celebration or June wedding. These are a red and white wine for the cocktail hour, two reds for the dinner (a light red to go with poultry or salmon, and a heartier one for meats), plus a full-bodied dinner white to go with seafood or cream sauce entrees. But with everything else you have to worry about when planning a large event, this is too complicated. Simplify by choosing two cocktail hour wines (a red and a white) with enough body to move over to the dinner table afterward. Then you will need only a hearty red wine -- for total of three wines -- to complement the red meat dinner entrees. Guests tend to drink more at late-afternoon and evening celebrations, so such events require more wine than do luncheons. For a late-afternoon or evening wedding celebration with a one-hour cocktail hour followed by dinner, plan on a minimum of three cases of wine, or approximately 36 bottles, per 100 guests. Divide the mix equally among the white wine, the light red and the full-bodied red. Adjust up or down according to the number of guests, whether beer and mix drinks will be served at the bar and the amount of red meat on the menu. If you decide to buy extra as a safety margin, note that some stores will take back unopened bottles of wine. Take advantage of the opportunity provided by many caterers and banquet facilities to provide a preview dinner to test the wine and food matches. Finally, don't overspend. At a large event, wines are rarely the focus of attention. The following wines from my recent tastings are great choices for the big event. Even if you are not entertaining, these wines are ideal for stocking your home cellar. Prices are approximate. WHITE WINES (cocktail hour and dinner) Mezzacorona 2004/2005 Chardonnay ($8-$9; from Italy; distributed by Washington Wholesale); Mezzacorona 2004/2005 Pinot Grigio ($8-$9; Italy; Washington Wholesale): Mezzacorona Chardonnay is made from a rare Austrian clone of chardonnay offering distinctive yellow fruit flavors. The pinot grigio is bright and fresh, with a soft, round finish. Louis Latour 2004/2005 Chardonnay Vin de Pays des Coteaux de l'Ardeche ($9; France; Winebow): This wine, from a famous Burgundy house, offers balanced, lightly oaked fruit and French prestige. Pepi 2004/2005 Pinot Grigio ($10; Oregon; NDC): Because it is made from cool climate Oregon grapes, this brisk pinot grigio retains lots of zesty acidity to complement its apple and tropical fruit flavors. Santa Julia Torrentes 2004/2005 ($8; Argentina; Henry Wine Group): Intense tropical aromas of mango and melon make for a great match with crudites and first-course salads. LIGHT- TO MEDIUM-BODIED REDS (cocktail hour and dinner) Mirassou 2005/2004 Pinot Noir ($10; California; NDC): Given the rising popularity of pinot noir, this well-made, supple California offering will be a hit with your guests. Heart Kris 2003 Merlot ($12-$13; Italy; Winebow): The delicate fruit of this perfumed red carries through nicely to the finish. Tortoise Creek 2005 Merlot ($8; France; Henry Wine Group): An excellent match with salmon or light poultry in the manner of a petite chateau Bordeaux, this can also be served slightly chilled during the cocktail hour. >> French Rabbit Pinot Noir and French Rabbit Merlot ($10 for one liter; France; Wine Partners): Packaged in an innovative, environmentally friendly box and using grapes from Languedoc vineyards employing sustainable vineyard practices, the smooth merlot and the berry-accented pinot noir are both tasty and socially responsible. FULL-BODIED REDS (meat entrees) Rosso Classic 2004 "Francis Coppola Presents" ($9; California; NDC): This delectable blend of zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon and syrah has a full-throttle bouquet of spice and vanilla, a voluptuous, velvety texture on the palate and finishes with harmonious tannins. You won't want to return leftover bottles. McWilliam's 2004 Shiraz "Hanwood Estate" ($9; Australia; NDC): Offering an assortment of plum and red fruit flavors on the palate, this finishes with enough tannins to stand up to red meat without being at all harsh. Frescobaldi Castiglioni Chianti 2004 ($12-$14; Italy; Bacchus): This seductive young Chianti offers a lovely bouquet of violets and berries, followed on the palate by layers of black cherry and tart strawberry fruit. Thoroughly sophisticated. Ben Giliberti, The Post's wine critic since 1987, can be reached atfood(a)washpost.com. � 2006 The Washington Post Company -- ------------------------------ * * Dr. James Lee Ellingson, Adjunct Professor jellings(a)me.umn.edu * * University of Minnesota, tel: 651/645-0753 fax 651 XXX XXXX * * Great Lakes Brewing News, 1569 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 *