Wine enthusiasts, library supporters and other supporters are invited to sip and savor at the fifth annual “Reading Between the Wines” wine-tasting fundraiser at the Riverside Public Library on Saturday, March 2.
The event, which runs from 6 to 9 p.m., will feature 14 tasting stations with wines from around the world, as well as canned cocktails, coffee and light snacks. The proceeds will be used to replace the carpeting in the library’s Great Room, a historic space with fireplaces that dates back to the library’s opening in 1929.
“This year, Reading Between the Wines will have 14 diverse tasting stations and we will feature not one, but two special learning experiences,” said event chairperson and Riverside Library Trustee Christine Long. “Wine lovers will have the opportunity to experience sparkling wines paired with sushi, mediterranean wines with mezze [small plates], or both. It’s a great chance to do something unique while supporting our library.”
According to library director Janice Foley, the library is 95 years old and they are raising money to recarpet the Great Room, which is one of the original parts of the building. She also added that the last time they recarpeted that area was in 2005.
“It’s a perfect atmosphere to enjoy wine tasting and be hanging out with friends and supporting the library,” Foley said. “We have a wonderful community and we are supported so much, but it’s a nice way to socialize in a fun building.”
The general admission tickets are $40 and will include the main event of wine tasting throughout the library.
The general wine tasting throughout the entire library will include 50 different wines on both library levels. It is set up with stations with each of the distributors. Guests can go table to table throughout the library.
Foley also said there is an opportunity to order their favorite wines through Riverside Foods.
There also will be two tasting and learning sessions that cost an additional $30 each and require a general admission ticket. They will be held in the lower-level Community Room and are limited to 30 tickets per session.
The first session, Sparkling & Sushi, will take place from 6:15 to 7 p.m. and will allow guests to discover sparkling wines, including sake, while enjoying small-bite sushi pairings prepared by Chef Robin Choi of Stella’s Ballpark Streetfood.
The second session, Mediterranean & Mezze, will be from 7:15 to 8 p.m. and will offer guests the chance to sample handcrafted Greek cocktails prepared by Skinos Spirits, paired with Village Batch small tasting plates.
The General admission tickets of $40 are going on sale Jan. 17 and include a commemorative tasting glass and access to all 14 tasting stations. Tickets can be purchased online or in-person at the library, 1 Burling Road, Riverside. About 250 tickets will be sold.
The event is sponsored by Riverside Foods, which partnered with the library to provide the wines and canned cocktails. Riverside’s own Sloan Coffee will also have a coffee station at the event.
“[This event] gives people a good opportunity to, you know, see the library and what it does,” Foley said.
The library staff also encourage residents to come to the event or stop by the library during regular hours to see “The Spot,” the recently completed section of the lower level where patrons can create using a variety of tools including a 3D printer, mold maker, Glowforge 3D laser printer, sewing machines and button makers.