Think about the last time you were standing in a wine shop, staring at two bottles that looked roughly similar, and you reached for the safer one because you didn't want to spend $25 on something you might not love. Or you ordered a glass of something at a restaurant that sounded interesting, but halfway through, you weren't so sure.

Good news…the Burlington Wine & Food Festival exists precisely to help you solve that problem.

On June 27th at Hula, your ticket lets you explore well over 200 wines, along with food from eleven of Vermont's best restaurants and samples from dozens of specialty food and spirits producers…all in one afternoon. You don't have to commit to buying a bottle or finishing a glass…you just get to find things you love (check out the full list of exhibitors here!).

And here's something we don't say enough: once you walk through that door, you can put your wallet away. You don’t have to reach into your pocket every time something looks good. The only thing you'll spend money on is something you want to take home.

In a year when nothing seems to be getting cheaper, our ticket price has not gone up. We say confidently that it’s the greatest event value in town. So don’t wait on those tickets…get them today!

Before we get into everything else, a couple of more things to tell you about....

Common Roots has been part of the Burlington Wine & Food family for a number of years now, and their work is important: getting healthy, farm-fresh food to people who need it, and teaching communities (particularly kids) how to grow, cook, and use it. We've been working with them to put together a fundraiser, and the finishing touches are just falling into place.

The event is called Nourish to Flourish, and it's happening Tuesday, June 23, as a kickoff to Burlington Wine & Food week. It takes place at the Wheeler Homestead on Dorset Street and will include wine tasting, food from their talented chefs and farmers, live music, and a live auction. If you'd like to sponsor the event or donate an auction item, we'd love to hear from you at [email protected].

And speaking of things coming together: the Champlain Dinner Club is this Tuesday, May 19, and registration closes Sunday at 6:30 p.m. We have over 60 people signed up for dinners around Winooski and the Old North End. If you've been thinking about joining us, this is your window…grab a spot today!

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The celebrations of America’s 250th birthday are officially underway, and WhistlePig has entered the room with something worthy of the occasion. Their new limited release, the Declaration Wheat Whiskey, is 100% USA-made, double-aged in American oak, 86 proof, and timed to the occasion. WhistlePig has been putting Vermont on the whiskey world's map from their farm in Shoreham for years…serious rye, serious craft, and the kind of reputation that makes people outside the area a little jealous when they find out where it's made. It’s available for preorder now.

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Poorhouse Pies is launching a new Cambridge Dinner Series on Saturday, May 23, at 6 p.m. It’s an intimate farm-to-table dinner with Chef Chris Lataille and Master Sommelier David Keck. The menu is built around the spring harvest: foraged ramps, green garlic, early-season vegetables, cold-water oysters. Wine pairings lean toward sparkling, mineral-driven whites, and new-release rosés. There are only 24 seats, so get tickets while you can.

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If you follow food media, you likely know Milk Street, Christopher Kimball's culinary operation with a PBS show, a radio program, a magazine, and a cooking school. They’re heading to Vermont from May 25 to 27 for a retreat in Burke. Ten students, three days, with farm visits to Chandler Pond Farm and Firefly Farm, hands-on cooking and more. It's long sold out, but if you’d like to try getting on their waiting list, you can take your shot here.

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Boyden Valley Winery in Cambridge reopens their tasting room on May 21st…and for the first time, they're staying open year-round. Their hours are Thursday to Saturday from 11 to 5, Sundays from noon to 5, and they’re also open on Memorial Day. They're teasing some new additions too, so it’s worth a visit if you haven't been in a while.

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And in other food news this week…PopUp Bagels, the Connecticut-born chain known for its "rip and dip" approach to bagel eating, is opening its first Vermont location at 42 Church Street in Burlington. No opening date has been announced yet. And for the record, they don't do breakfast sandwiches…just bagels, done their way.

Read the full interview, including just how young she was when she knew the beverage world would be her career path, and the customer request she still can't think about without making a face…

It’s the time of year where calendars start filling fast. Here are some great food-and-drink events that are worth your time…

Tonight, May 14, Backyard Bistro in Charlotte is hosting a sake education dinner from 6 to 8:30 p.m.…it’s a collaboration with sake specialist Justin Chillington and Vermont Wine Merchants. Try six types of sake, each paired with food to complement…scallop ceviche with taro chip, char siu pork shoulder with kimchi fried rice, chicken katsu with sesame vinaigrette and more. Get a reservation (if there are still openings).

Also tonight…The Pinery on Pine Street opens for the season, and they've got company: The Broccoli Bar is in residency there every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through the end of May. Rumor has it Mr. Creemee is in the vicinity, too, which means you’ll have every possible craving covered.

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The weekend has several options for people who like to taste delicious things. Salt & Bubbles is hosting a free in-store tasting this Saturday, May 16, from 2 to 4 p.m., featuring Troon Vineyard & Farm from Oregon's Applegate Valley…it’s a fully regenerative operation with about 100 acres of vines, making wines with native yeasts and zero additives. No ticket = no pressure.

Also on Saturday, Von Trapp Farmstead in Waitsfield is celebrating Pasture Turnout Day at 9 a.m….the first year they've opened the event to the public. The milking herd heads out to grass, there are free samples in the farm store, live music, and more. The Waitsfield Farmers Market also opens for the season that morning, so you can make a day of it.

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This Sunday, May 17, Red Poppy Cakery in Waterbury is throwing a grand opening party for Itty Bitty Bakery from noon to 4…it’s a new home bakery launched by one of their team members. You can enjoy free cupcake samples while they last, plus they’ll have cookies and small cakes for sale. A sweet way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

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On Tuesday the 19th, Idletyme in Stowe is running a one-night benefit dinner for the Renita Marshall Helping Hands Foundation, a Barre-based nonprofit that provides financial assistance to families with children facing sudden hardship. No special ticket required, and a portion of all dinner sales that evening goes directly to the cause.

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Mid-week keeps getting busier. The Farmhouse Tap & Grill in Burlington is running a "Resurrection Feast" on Wednesday, May 20, from 5 to 9, while supplies last…Chefs Alex Ghee and Kevin Sprouse are going fully vegetable-forward with spring bounty, along with plenty of fun cocktails and funky wines for pairing. Reservations recommended.

That same evening, Standing Stone Wines in Winooski has their Summer Fun Wine Tasting at 6 p.m.: $15 for 15 wines (whites, rosés, pet nat, chilled reds). Order anything you like and it'll be there by the 22nd. Pick up your tickets in advance.

Also on Wednesday, and down the road a bit, the Discover Waterbury Business Mixer is being hosted by Paprika Empanadas and The Tropic Brewing on 5:30 to 7. Network with the Waterbury business community while enjoying free snacks and drinks. RSVP encouraged but not required.

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Looking ahead… if you've ever found yourself in the store wondering what vermouth actually is, Specs in Winooski has your answer at their “What Is Vermouth?” tasting workshop on Monday, May 25, at 5:15 p.m. You’ll get six samples of different vermouths, a couple of half cocktails and some light bar snacks. We mention this now because their events tend to sell out quickly.

One more thing before you go. Every week we’re asking one question (no forms…just hit reply with your answer). We read every response, and your answers have a way of shaping future issues.

This week: What are your favorite outdoor dining spots in Vermont?

Patios, decks, lakeside, rooftop, picnic tables…whatever qualifies in your book. Hit reply and tell us.

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And something we just found out as we were finishing this issue: Burlington Wine & Food has made the Seven Daysies finalists again for Best Food & Drink Event. We are grateful, as always.

What is also awesome is the company we're keeping. A quick look at the full finalists list reveals that a lot of the people and places that make up this community — many of them right here in this issue, or on our exhibitor list — are on there, too. Places like Waterworks. Fancy's. Café Monette. La Reprise. The Daily Planet. Specs. Barr Hill. Poorhouse Pies. The Broccoli Bar. Shelburne Vineyard. Salt & Bubbles. Chimera Meats. Grafton Village Cheese. Klinger’s. The Essex. St. Johnsbury Distillery. Brio Coffeeworks. And that's just the food and drink sections.

If you feel like voting — for us or any of them — the voting opens June 2nd. Either way, it's a pretty good reading list for where to eat and drink this summer.

See you next week.