Bites & benders

Thursday Mar 1

Get to know Grgich—both the winemaker and the wines—at Quince’s Grgich Hills Wine Dinner. Winemaker Violet Grgich will be on hand to talk about her wines and pair them with a five-course meal that includes dishes such as shaved asparagus salad, seared scallops with pomegranate and red wine–braised short ribs. $80. 7pm. 1625 Hinman Ave, Evanston (847-475-3300).

Saturday Mar 3

Pay no attention to the name—the 3rd Annual Night of the Living Ales is harmless. Taste real ales (beers containing active yeast) from around Chicago and elsewhere, but take small sips: You’ll need your wits about you to vote for a winner at the end of the night. $35. 6:30pm.Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St between Cornelia and Eddy Sts (see chibeer.org for tickets and information).

Tuesday Mar

Prohibitive wine laws make finding New York wines in Chicago practically impossible. (And yes, believe it or not, there are plenty of New York wines worth drinking.) Luckily, at the Lied Family Cellars wine dinner at Avenue M, you'll have the opportunity to taste five of them, each paired with a course by chef Daniel Kelly. $50. 6pm. 695 N Milwaukee Ave at Huron St (312-243-1133).