There is a lot going on in May as far as Wine Festivals are concerned.
Alder at Vinography suggests the Paso Robles Wine Festival 2009 (May 15-17) as a must see.
Why? because in his words "the limestone terroir of western Paso Robles in particular is producing
some absolutely stunning Syrahs and other Rhone Varietals that every
wine lover in California should know about." If your time is limited pick the Grand Tasting in the town park on Saturday, May 16, Alder writes.
The festival is now in its 27th edition.
Changing continents if you are a Bordeaux aficionado, here's a must. Le Week-End des Grands Amateurs (4th Edition) gives mere mortals a chance on May 16 and 17 to sample in a giant tasting gathering under one roof more than a hundred châteaux members of the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux,
the Week‐End des Grands Amateurs is an outstanding opportunity for wine
lovers from around the world to taste the 2006 vintage (amongst another
vintage between 1998 and 2005) and meet Châteaux owners (or their
direct representative) in conditions normally only offered to trade and
press members (16 May 2009, Hangar 14 in Bordeaux, 10.30 am to 5.00 pm) states Bordeaux Tourisme.
The French Wine Explorers refreshed my memory on this one.
Want to test your velocity, take a bike ride through some famous wine properties in Medoc on May 30th with VTV (Velo Tout Vigne) La Medocaine, which New Bordeaux describes as a bicycle race held around Margaux, where you cycle through the
chateaux who have all laid on tastings and festivities. The southern
Medoc version of Pauillac's Marathon through the vines. Three circuits
between 25 and 75km, all leaving from town of Arsac.
This is a sustainable and eco-friendly event.
Further South, May 17-19, Naples is the host of the fifth Vitignoitalia in Castel Dell' Ovo (pictured below), It is dedicated to native and traditional Italian varieties not to forget local gastronomy to go with it.
As for accommodations for this last one, Cellar Tours would choose "In Naples itself, the Grand Hotel Vesuvio has
unbeatable views over the Castel dell´Ovo and Bay of Naples. It´s very
elegant and classy. For something charming, boutique and a bit trendier
the Micalo is great."
Closer to my New Jersey digs, May is Riesling Month in the Finger Lakes Wine Country writes Lenndevours.
All this must have made you thirsty and might have given you the travel bug.
Let's stop right here.