Uncorked Food & Wine Festival This Weekend!

Uncorked Food & Wine Festival This Weekend! - A group of people standing in front of a crowd - Car
The festival’s signature outdoor “Grand Tasting,” is Saturday, Jan. 19, from noon to 4 p.m., with a VIP hour from 11 a.m. to noon. CONTRIBUTED

Uncorked is back, combining some favorite events with some new and exciting ones to attract foodies and wine, beer and cocktail sippers and connoisseurs. 

This year the feast kicks off on Thursday, Jan. 10 and runs through Sunday, Jan. 20. Area culinary experts join with the wine experts from Breakthru Beverage and Republic National to present food, wine and spirits. 

The 2019 schedule showcases “foodie” events that include complimentary wine, beer and spirits tastings, gourmet dinners, cooking classes and more. This year a number of restaurants will feature a special prix fixe wine dinner menu throughout the festival.

Back by popular demand, the Key Largo Fisheries features its “Lobsterfest” and Snappers restaurant hosts its hilarious grape-stomping contest. Key Largo Chocolates will again host a Chocolate meets Cabernet event for adults and, for the younger foodies, a popular junior chocolatiers’ cooking class is to be held with the Keys’ only chocolatier. Multiple Sunday brunch opportunities are also planned, along with art-inspired food and wine events.

This year’s festival poster artwork is by Tere Kelley. Posters will be on sale throughout the festival and at the Grand Tasting and can also be purchased at Key Largo Art Gallery and Sundowners restaurant, with proceeds benefitting Florida Keys Community College. 

The festival’s signature outdoor “Grand Tasting,” is Saturday, Jan. 19, from noon to 4 p.m., with a VIP hour from 11 a.m. to noon at the Postcard Inn at Holiday Isle in Islamorada. Attendees can sample signature dishes from area restaurants, complemented by a selection of wines. Live music, cooking and mixology demonstrations and cocktail tastings round out the afternoon.

General admission tickets are $65 (plus tax) in advance, and $75 at the gate. VIP tickets are available, allowing early entry at 11 a.m. and a VIP hour until noon; the cost of $90 (plus tax) includes a souvenir T-shirt, poster, tasting glass and gift bag with the festival cookbook featuring Keys chefs’ recipes.

More information is at www.floridakeysuncorked.com.