Red, White, and...What?

We saw Sideways not too long ago, and realized that we were among the uncultured masses who thought wine was just alcoholic grape juice. Apparently there's a lot more going on, with the grapes, the aging, the acidity, the complexity of flavors, and so forth. In fact, knowing this stuff can help you pick a great wine, but without knowing what foods go best with it, well, you're just a hungry drunk. Fortunately, LA has a plethora of wine tasting, appreciating, and pairing events that will serve to inform your mind, but moreso, your palate.

Check out some of this week's events:

Sake and Sushi
Tonight, 7:00 p.m.
Heritage Wine Company
155 N. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena
626-844-9333

This event will offer a wide spectrum of rare and aged sakes along with an array of fresh sushi. Pre-paid reservations required for tonight. $30 per person.

Wine Appreciation 101 @ Mel and Rose Wine & Specialty Food
Thursday April 28th, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
8344 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood
323-655-5557

This imformative class will introduce beginners to the pleasures of wine tasting. This class ensures that at a minimum, you will taste some unique wines, sample a half dozen artisinal cheeses, and leave with a keen sense of what makes wines different along with a better understanding of what you like. $30 per person.

EM Bistro's Cobblestone Vineyards Wine Pairing Dinner
Thursday, April 28th, starting at 6:00 p.m.
EM Bistro & Corky's Jazz Room
8256 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles
323-658-6004

Each course of this 5-course meal offers a tantalizing dish paired with a different wine from Cobblestone Vineyards, while a jazz trio plays. $50 per person.