Could you be a little more specific, please? Are you looking for red or white wines, and what nationality cuisine would you like to taste?
Just kidding.
If you're wedded to those dates, then the answer is going to be very short; if you're at all flexible and can make it here just a few days earlier, then you might be in luck.
From May 17 through 20, Bon Appétit magazine is hosting a four-day gourmet festival in conjunction with Caesars Palace, Bellagio, Wynn Las Vegas, and Lake Las Vegas Resort. The Culinary and Wine Focus consists of different events each day, with opportunities to sample the handiwork of some of Las Vegas' most renowned celebrity chefs, not to mention quaffing some rare vintages, learning tips from the experts in gourmet cooking demonstrations, blowing your life savings at wine auctions, and dining al fresco out at Lake Las Vegas as John Legend kicks off the "Stars on the Lake" series. A brief synopsis of the main events follows; visit the event Web site at www.bonappetitfocus.com for a complete schedule or to book tickets, which range from $55-350 for individual events up to $1,200 for the "Wine & Dine" and "Stars & Masters."
Friday also features "Cocktail Smackdown" at the Wynn, with hands-on workshops at Lure ($65), not to mention a "grand tasting" poolside at Caesars Palace ($175 general admission; $200 VIP), with Barbara Fairchild and some of Las Vegas' celebrity chefs and restaurateurs, aided and abetted by various local personalities acting as sous-chefs, presenting the greatest of the city’s flavors and pouring more than 75 wines.
Friday's also the night of the Stars on the Lake event out at Lake Las Vegas (this clashes with the Grand Tasting at Caesars –- you can't do both), with choices of VIP box and concert for $175 or throw in the al fresco dinner on the floating stage for an additional $50 per person.
Alternatively, partake of the "Wine Luncheon Series" at Wynn, with the choice of Daniel Boulud Brasserie, Bartolotta, Alex, or SW Steakhouse. Each luncheon includes a cellar tour and specialized pairing menus ($125).
At 2 p.m. Wynn also hosts a "High-Stakes Wine Auction," followed in the evening by a "Vine & Dine" dinner co-chaired by Barbara Fairchild and Steve Wynn.
Sunday, May 20 Still hungry? There's one last gourmet opportunity, with a 12:30 p.m. brunch for $95 served on the marble terrace at Bellagio, overlooking the fountains. (Note: You may not get to see them, as the show doesn't usually commence until 3 p.m.)
That's all very well, assuming you can completely rearrange your trip and are curious about artisanal salts. If not, then you may be disappointed, although we do have a couple of other less grandiose suggestions that might be more to your liking/wallet.
Marché Bacchus is a wine bar/restaurant/retail store on the west side of town (2620 Regatta Dr. #106, just west of Buffalo), which we've been meaning to check out for ages, but haven’t yet made it to. We’ve heard good things about both their wine and food, which includes lunch, brunch, and dinner menus featuring classic French fare, and every Saturday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. they offer a free wine tasting, with at least three (and up to six) different wines poured. Call 702/804-8008 for more details or visit the Web site at www.marchebacchus.com.
The Wine Cellar and Tasting Room at the Rio is well-named, since that's exactly what it is. Open 3-11 p.m. daily, it's home to one of the most impressive public wine collections in the United States and showcases some 50,000 bottles valued at more than $10 million. If you'd like to sample some of them, there are 27 wine flights to choose from. Each features three different wines and prices per flight start at $13 and go up to $99. Artisanal (there's that word again!) cheese flights are also available to complement your wine choices. There are even chocolate-tasting options.
The Las Vegas Wine Company also holds wine tastings every Thursday 6-8 p.m., usually featuring a half-dozen or so wines, plus there are also tastings throughout the day on Saturdays, but these are more fluid time-wise. There are two locations at 6105 W. Tropicana Ave. (Tel: 702/893-8466) and 9620 Las Vegas Blvd. Sth., opposite the South Point Casino (Tel: 702/878-8466)
For anyone planning a visit in April, the 2007 UNLVino event, now in its 33rd year, will be hosted by the Hard Rock. April 12 features "Bubble-Licious," a Champagne and sparkling wine tasting event with over 80 wines to choose from ($75 per person) and April 13 is "Auss-Some and Then Some," featuring wines from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa ($50). The "Grand Tasting" is on Saturday 14 ($75 in advance, $100 on the door) and is one of the U.S.'s largest single-day wine tastings, featuring the latest releases and best vintages from around the world, plus a wine tasting and art auction with rare wines and wine country trips up for grabs. For more information about any of these events, visit www.unlvino.com.
Other food and/or wine events later in the year include the San Gennaro Italian cultural festival and Greek Food Festival, which both take place in September, and the Las Vegas Odyssey, a four-day celebration of food, wine and art that takes place here in November. You'll have to check back with us nearer the time for details about these, however.
UPDATE: 03-30-2007 Thanks to the reader who wrote in with the following (which was actually one of our sources for this answer so yes, we can vouch that it's good):
"Check out www.localwineevents.com. It's awesome. You can set yourself up to receive info on upcoming wine tastings anywhere in the country -- yes, even the Las Vegas area!"
