Spring weather brings more than just dreary weather and rain. Not only is it the perfect moment to embrace verdant greenery and burgeoning florals; but it's also the perfect moment to embrace the start of spritz season.
Enjoy all of the above at Flora & the Fauna, a large-scale tasting event taking place on Saturday, May 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Thelma Carol Wine Merchants, 605 W. Virginia St.
During the event, guests will have the opportunity to work their way through three tasting stations featuring 20 pours of rose, white, sparkling, lighter reds and aromatized wines from around the world. Two beverage professionals will be on hand to walk you through specific selections and answer your questions.
Among the highlights of the event is exploring a portion of Thelma Carol’s extensive vermouth and amaro collection. Widely known as a critical component for martinis, enjoying vermouth on its own (over ice or with a twist of citrus) is among the hottest ways to enjoy the many renditions of this ages-old quaff, which is enhanced with herbs, spices, barks, flowers, seeds, roots and other aromatic botanicals.
Tickets for the event are $60 per person and can be purchased online. Each ticket includes the tasting experience along with complimentary bites. Attendees also receive 5% off bottle purchase on the evening of the event.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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