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Two of North Carolina's bigger wine festivals open next month.

A relative newcomer to the scene is Salute! The N.C. Wine Celebration. It's May 9 in downtown Winston-Salem. Expect wineries from across North Carolina -- about 80 at last count. Not that they'll all be there, but there may be more than you can shake -- not stir -- a stick at. Information: www.salutencwine.com.

The Yadkin Valley Wine Festival is May 16 in Elkin Municipal Park, featuring food, crafts and music in the blend. Yadkin Valley's wineries -- the big guns, as well as the small boutiques -- will be showcasing their wares. This will be the eighth year for the event. Information: 526-1111.

Slip sliding away

A freak snowstorm shut down college, freeing a day for sledding, somersaulting, barrel-rolling and mauling parts of my body I didn't know had. That was a while back. But it was a special day, made more special by aspirin, a hot soak and a tipple from a bottle pulled from the cellar: a 1998 Penfolds Old Vine Barossa Valley. This Syrah-Grenache-Mourvedre blend was just what the doctor ordered, complete with a crackling fire -- and crackling ligaments.

So, what's in your cellar? Is there one special wine to enjoy for an unanticipated occasion? To borrow from Ferris Bueller: I highly recommend it.

That other wine grape

A shout-out to Duplin Winery near Rose Hill, which was recently recognized with the "Impact Hot Brands Award" from Wine Spectator. Duplin, the world's largest producer of Muscadine-based wines, is in the spotlight for its sales volume, longevity in the market and success with Hatteras Red, wildly popular among those who prefer their vino, like their ice tea, on the sweet side.

Tar Heel picks

2007 McRitchie Winery Yadkin Valley Pale Rider ($16): A rose fashioned from Sangiovese. Strawberry and raspberries on the nose and palate. This is finished in a dry style. Winemaker Sean McRitchie, instrumental in giving Shelton Vineyards a jumpstart, now farms near Elkin, producing a range of dry varietals, hard ciders and fruit wines.

2006 Childress Merlot Reserve ($25): Gorgeous plum and violets on a silky frame. Like liquid velvet in a glass. Winemaker Mark Friszolowski continues to show that red varietals can call North Carolina home.

2006 Rockhouse "Native Yeast" Chardonnay ($20): Because the juice is fermenting courtesy of the ambient yeast swirling around the winery (rather than using commercial yeasts), fermentation takes twice as long. The end-product -- a complex Burgundian style -- showcases crisp citrus, green apple and vanilla. Relying on native yeast is risky but worth the reward in this instance.

2006 Buck Shoals Rocco Red ($13): A playful nod to Italian ancestry and home winemaking back in the day. A blend of Chambourcin, Sangiovese, Barbera and Nebbiolo. They really did throw everything in here, including the kitchen sink. Bright cherry, cranberry and spice on a silky frame.

2006 Surry Cellars Pickshin Red ($14): A faculty-student collaboration of the Surry Community College viticulture-enology programs. This blends 52 percent Syrah with 38 percent Primitivo and 10 percent Grenache. Blackberry, black pepper, chocolate and plum. A good winter red.

2007 Raffaldini Vineyards Pinot Grigio ($17): A nuttier, fruitier style of this crisp, minerally white. Raffaldini positions itself as North Carolina's pre-eminent Italian-style winemaker. This is among Raffaldini's first wines that sell out before the next vintage arrives.

2006 Round Peak Vineyards Sangiovese Reserve ($20): From the Brunello clone, the grape yields dried, dark cherry and strawberry with a spicy hint and good acidity. Sangiovese goes great with higher-acid entrees.

2007 Shelton Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc ($16): This crisp white is citrus and melon ball. This is another white grape uncommon to North Carolina. Shelton's efforts might persuade other growers to try this grape. This Dobson-based winery is among North Carolina's largest and is on the cutting edge of experimentation.

Ed Williams, Alamance Community College public information director, has written about wine since 1990. This column publishes the first Wednesday of each month. Send e-mail to williamsonwine@aol.com at least 10 days before publication.