I love wine. And though I know that it is perfectly proper etiquette to sip and spit at a wine tasting — particularly a large scale event — I have yet to aquire the ability (or desire) to do so.

Which is why this little mommy-to-be is going to sit out the fabulous tasting events taking place over the next three days as the Denver International Wine Festival hits town at Denver’s Mile High Station. If, however, you have no such hesitations, then I highly recommend this event. Tonight, the Chef’s Food and Wine Pairing competition runs from 6 to 9 p.m., with chefs from some of the metro area’s best kitchens competing for bragging rights (and representing foodie havens such as the Palm, Seven Eurobar, L’Atelier, Solera, Opus, Kevin Taylor, Prima, and many more).

Saturday is the main Grand Tasting event from 11 a.m to 6 p.m., featuring tastings of 360 domestic and international wines, along with plenty of gourmet nibbles. Colorado’s wineries will be heavily represented, and you may be happily surprised at the growing quality of our homegrown vino. The event also includes a series of special seminars and classes; get all the details and ticket info at www.denverwinefest.com.