If drinking for a cause is your thing, look no further than the Cincinnati International Wine Festival.
Yes, as the name suggests, this is a fest dedicated to vino.
But it is also a nonprofit that has granted more than $6 million to local charities in everything from arts and education to health and human services since 1991.
While there is a golf tournament and assorted wine dinners associated with the festival, the Grand Tastings at the Duke Energy Convention Center tend to be seen as the main event with more than 700 “new, rare and exciting wines” from more than 200 wineries across the globe.
Attendees, whether they’re oenophiles or novices, can sample anything and everything — including snacks. If you want to upgrade your tasting package, there’s also an option to enter the Collectors Tasting Room for high-end wines or the option to take various educational seminars.
Grand Tastings 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, March 13; 2:30-4:30 p.m. and 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday, March 14. $75-$80 Friday; $70-$75 Saturday afternoon; $85-$90 Saturday evening. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown, winefestival.com.
