Wine tasting, pies and blueberries

Back in November, Tidbits reported that Bangor Wine & Cheese Company was under new ownership. Eric and Christine Mihan purchased the Hammond Street business, revamped a few things, and have been open since mid-November. After a few months of learning the ropes, Bangor Wine & Cheese will host a grand opening celebration all weekend, Jan. 21-24. It will kick off with a wine tasting on from 6 to 8 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 21, with a big wine sale continuing through Sunday, Jan. 24. The tasting will feature wines by Wicked Wines, including a Chardonnay from the actual town of Chardonnay in Burgundy’s Maconnais region, as well as several robust reds perfect for hearty dinner fare. For more information, call 732-690-7737.

Easy as pie: I spy with my little eye … lots and lots of pie. Rockland will go seriously pie-eyed on Sunday, Jan. 24, with its sixth annual Pies on Parade Inn to Inn Pie Tour. Samples of more than 35 different pies at restaurants and inns throughout Rockland will be offered. And it’s not just your standard issue apple, blueberry or raspberry either (though those will be there).

There will be shepherds pie at the Waterworks Restaurant, pizza (technically a pie) at Brick’s and Cafe Miranda, sweet and savory Italian gallettes at Rustica Cucina Italiano, whoopie pies at Rockland Cafe, seafood pie at Amalfi on the Water, Cornish pastries at the Captain Lindsey, and the signature Key LimeRock Pie at LimeRock Inn. For a full list of venues and pies offered, visit www.historicinnsofrockland.com/pies.htm. Admission to all venues is $25, $10 for children, and proceeds benefit the Area Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry.

Getting ready for season:

Farmers market season remains a few months away, but while the roots and leaves lay dormant, farmers, bakers and foodcentric entrepreneurs plot what kinds of goodies they’ll offer to the public this spring, summer and fall. The second annual Maine Farmers’ Market Convention will be held Jan. 29-30 at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast, bringing together people from all stripes to talk about food, farming and how better to bring Maine-made products to the people. Speakers include Executive Director of New England Organic Farming Association Enid Wonnacott, marketing specialist Dick Dyer, Maine chef and foodie Cheryl Wixson, Waterville area community organizer Shannon Haines, Maine Farmland Trust director John Piotti and others from all over Maine. Registration for both days of the conference is $120, and includes meals. One day is $75. For more information and a full schedule of events, call 664-2424 ext. 4460.

Blueberry benefits:

As if their being delicious wasn’t enough, new studies just released have shown that besides their powerful antioxidant properties, blueberries also are helpful in boosting memory in older people with early memory problems. A daily drink of about 500 milliliters of blueberry juice was associated with improved learning and word list recall, as well as a suggestion of reduced depressive symptoms, according to findings published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The study is said to be the first human trial to assess the potential benefits of blueberries on brain function in older adults with increased risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s. Having a glass of blueberry juice once a day is a small, quite tasty price to pay for its beneficial properties. Drink up!