Second annual Laguna Beach Uncorked on Saturday

Now starts the march of spring wine events. And Laguna Beach is just one city that gets into the action with the second annual “Laguna Beach Uncorked,” billed as an “international wine and food fest.”

Me, I’ll take any excuse to revel in the sun and sea breeze at Laguna. If anybody else feels the same way, the event takes place on Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and features tastings from 20 local restaurants and 30 wineries for the ticket price of $90 per person through Friday. Tickets are available online. On the day of the event, tickets will cost $25 more, i.e., $115 at the door.

Before anyone starts squawking at the ticket price, let me mention that a portion (unspecified) of the ticket proceeds benefits CHOC Children’s Hospital.

Here’s the chance to try some bites from restaurants such as Broadway by Amar Santana (what’s with the unwieldy name?), Sapphire Restaurant & Pantry, Las Brisas, 230 Forest Avenue and more.

Participating wineries include Mas d’en Compte and Nisia from Spain, Warres from Portugal, Domaine des Baumard and Domaine Santa Duc from France (both great estates), Ernesto Catena from Argentina and Mahua from New Zealand. On the domestic front, you can try wines from Ponzi and Purple Hands in Oregon and from California, Etude, Ridge and Tablas Creek, among others.

Now if the weather will just cooperate.

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