thursday30
Zapatista hosts a winemaker dinner with Sebastian Zuccardi, the third-generation owner of Familia Zucardi, one of the largest family-owned winery in Argentina. A reception with sparkling wine and hors d’oeuvres will be followed by five courses, each paired with a Zuccardi wine. 7-9 PM, 1307 S. Wabash, 312-435-1307, $50 (not including tax and tip).
friday31
The Chopping Block’s Merchandise Mart location presents Haunted Happy Hour, with a wine tasting and appetizers including “grilled bat wings, bacon-wrapped cockroaches, skeleton mix, and deep-fried eyeballs.” Costumes encouraged; reservations required. 5-7 PM, 350 N. Orleans, 312-644-6360, free.
A five-course Halloween Winemaker Dinner [PDF] at Trattoria Roma features Vasse River and Beach Head wines from Margaret River Wines in western Australia; winemaker Sharna Kowalczuk will attend. Among the menu options: Caesar salad, pumpkin-filled ravioli with sage-brown butter sauce, and veal medallions sauteed in a lemon, white wine, and caper sauce. Costumes are optional, but the best ones will win prizes. 6:30 PM, 1535 N. Wells, 708-383-7543, $59.
saturday1
Taste Food and Wine offers a free Unibroue Beer Tasting; selections from the Canadian brewery’s lineup will include Blanche de Chambly, Maudite, La Fin du Monde, and Trois Pistoles. 3-6 PM, 1506 W. Jarvis, 773-761-3663.
monday3
The American Institute of Wine and Food hosts a dinner at Kendall College to benefit Share Our Strength, which works to end hunger for kids in the U.S. Kendall alumni, including Elizabeth Dahl (Boka), Shawn McClain (Custom House, Green Zebra, Spring), and Kristine Subido (Wave) will prepare dinner, with wine pairings by sommelier Angela Roman of the Signature Room at the 95th. 6 PM, The Dining Room at Kendall College, 900 N. North Branch, 202-478-6528, $150.
wednesday5
In Fine Spirits hosts a six-course Harvest Beer Dinner featuring brews from Flossmoor Station Brewing Company, with brewmaster Matt Van Wyk in attendance. 7:30-9:30 PM, 5420 N. Clark, 773-334-9463, $60.