dsmWeekly: May 10, 2023

One of the best parts of patio season is enjoying the happy hour sunset with a glass of wine. You may already have your favorite grape varietals, but this season, why not try something new when you’re browsing the wine racks? We have a few recommendations from Nevres Sehic, the wine and beer director at Gateway Market.

His picks range from easy Italian wines and California rose to Chilean grenache and organic pinot blanc, so there’s something for everyone. “I want people to try something a little bit different, maybe a bit new, and get them out of their comfort zone,” he said.

2020 Ver Sacrum Garnacha Chacayes, Chile
“This single vineyard grenache has been hand-harvested from Uco Valley, Chile. It might be the lightest grenache you’ve ever had. On the nose, aromas of cherry, raspberry, sage, hints of thyme and black pepper. It has a bright finish with lingering red fruit.” Pair it with fresh fruit like raspberries or blueberries, and roasted vegetables.

2020 Domaine Charles Baur Pinot Blanc Alsace, France
“I was lucky to meet Armand Baur Jr. in France in February at a wine expo in Montpellier. All of their wines are organically produced and wonderful; however, I have to single out pinot blanc. It’s nicely priced and over-delivers on the taste-to-price ratio. It’s an elegant wine dominated by aromas of flowers and white peaches, bright and fresh with just the right amount of acidity.” Pair it with fish and poultry, or enjoy it on its own as an aperitif.

2019 Giuliano Rosati Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy
“A classically styled ripasso. It’s a blend of Corvina and Rondinella grapes, with notes of blackberry, clove and licorice on the nose. It’s full-flavored, velvety, crisp and refreshing. Notes of vanilla and toasted nut on the finish.” Pair it with grilled steak or braised lamb.

2021 Long Meadow Ranch Rose Anderson Valley, California
“This wine has a light, bright pink color with aromas of peach, apricot and red fruit. On the palate you get persistent strawberry and apricot with a crisp mouthwatering finish.” Pair it with a fresh green salad or red berries.

Find two more recommendations from Sehic online.

All moms get free admission to the Des Moines Botanical Garden on Mother's Day, May 14. Photo: Annie Spratt.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND
Flowers for Mom? Bring her the whole garden.

None of us would be here without her, so celebrate Mother's Day this weekend by taking Mom to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens. Bonus: She'll get in free on Sunday.

Otherwise, you can stop earlier for the Spring Garden Festival to pick up flowers, bulbs, plants, seeds and even botanical art for moms with a green thumb. Choose from a full list of plants or opt for the Rain Garden kit or Pollinator Garden kit, depending on your garden goals. For early access, on Thursday, purchase a preview night ticket and get a complimentary cocktail to enjoy with charcuterie and live music while you browse. Or go Friday or Saturday, when admission is free.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

Blue Note Jazz with Adrian Ruiz (7-10 p.m. Friday): The jazz trumpeter is in town. Ruiz was nominated for Grammy Award in 2021 for the best contemporary blues album and has performed in jazz festivals across the world, including Taiwan, Guatemala and Switzerland. See him and his band perform closer to home during this weekend's concert at Noce.

Baconfest (4-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday): The annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival takes over part of the Iowa State Fairgrounds this weekend with performances, contests and, of course, bacon. Plenty of food stalls offer bacon-filled dishes to enjoy near two stages with live music or between turns on the mechanical bull. The first official Bacon Queen will also be crowned this year. Buy a day pass for $25 and get two food vouchers plus sampling privileges.

Makers Market and Bar Hop (1-6 p.m. Sunday): Instead of driving all over town, shop 40 different local vendors while enjoying a drink or two at three sprawling patios: Big Grove Brewery & Taproom, Lua Brewing, and Exile Brewing Co. The vast array of handmade offerings include jewelry, paintings, candles, decor, soap and more. Admission is free.

ARTS AND CULTURE
Poetry premiere: Local poet William Bortz released his new collection of poems this week, titled “Many Small Hungerings.” The book follows his 2021 release, “The Grief We’re Given,” and examines the complexities of grief, loss, nostalgia and memory. Bortz hosts a release party for the book May 12 at Storyhouse Bookpub, where he’ll read from the collection and discuss his work. “Many Small Hungerings” is available at Storyhouse Bookpub and other book retailers.

ARTS AND CULTURE
Summertime sounds: Hoyt Sherman Place recently announced the return of its free concert series Jazz in July. Concerts will be held outside on the lawn on three Tuesdays of the month – July 11, 18, and 25 – from 5:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., before each night's headliners perform inside at 8 p.m. Performances include Alyssa Allgood, Aviana Gedler, the Oatts Family, high school jazz combos from Waukee and Valley, and others. It's BYOB (bring your own blanket), but you can buy food and drinks on site.

FOOD AND DINING
Top mixologists: Carl Busch of the Hotel Julien in Dubuque won this year's State Mixology Championships. The Iowa Restaurant Association hosted the May 4 event at Smash Park in West Des Moines, where 11 mixologists from across the state were invited to compete. They created cocktails for a panel of judges who scored the drinks on taste, appearance, overall creativity and personality. Later that night, the public was invited to sample and vote for their favorites. Heather Loops of Trostel's Greenbriar in Johnston took home the people's choice award.

Every year at CelerbrAsian, more than 80,000 visitors see colorful traditional fashions, shop for art and gifts, and sample culinary specialties from chilly Nepal to tropical Indonesia. Photo: CelebrAsian.

dsm INCLUSION 2023
Celebrate AAPI heritage during the month of May

Writer: Beth Eslinger

Mark your calendars for several cultural events popping up around the city this summer, offering a chance to dig into new dishes, dance to diverse beats and learn a few words in a new language. May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and we’re looking forward to CelebrAsian May 26-27 in Western Gateway Park.

Explore a whole continent in mere minutes as you walk through the 20th annual festival, which this year celebrates the “Jewels of Asia.” You can tour more than a dozen pop-up villages from Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and other countries, as well as Hmong and Tai Dam ethnic groups. Each village showcases the regional culture through food, entertainment, art and hands-on activities.

On the main stage, you can watch Bollywood dancing, martial arts demonstrations, fashion shows or even the “Next SensAsian” talent show. You can also watch cooking demos and learn, for example, how to make the perfect bowl of fried rice.

“This year, in addition to traditional entrees, you can expect Asian-inspired desserts, coffee, boba and Asian street food, such as Korean corn dogs,” said Nu Huynh, executive director of the Iowa Asian Alliance.

For a bigger list of upcoming events, check out the roundup from our 2023 Inclusion issue. And remember, you can also volunteer at the events to experience them on a deeper level.