Wine Spectator, a noted magazine for wine enthusiasts, selects restaurants from around the country and the world to be recognized for their passion and well-chosen wine offerings.

Awards from the Wine Spectator show that a restaurant has made selections that are balanced and matched to the menu in both theme and price. These lists emphasize an interest in having patrons discover new wines, are broad in covering different regions, and are served with superior presentation and knowledge.

The Midcoast area boasts three Award of Excellence winners who have taken their commitment to wine programs to new levels:

• Azure Café, 123 Main St., Freeport, winner for 11 years running.

• The Harraseeket Inn, 162 Main St., Freeport, winner for the last 25 years.

• The Damariscotta River Grill, 155 Main St., Damariscotta, awarded in 2008.

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Food & Beverage Events in the Midcoast

June 1

Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment, Spring Festival, 10-3pm. Food trucks, live music, crafts, wagon rides, and more, admission free; 184 Burnett Road, Freeport, 865-4469.

Tasting of small batch rums from Sebago Lake Distillery, 3-5:30 p.m., Bow Street Market, 79 Bow St., Freeport, 865-6631, free.

L.A. Maine Brew Bus visits Brunswick, 1:30-6 p.m., Moderation Brewing, Black Pug Brewing Co., and Flight Deck Brewing, adults only, tickets $55 at northeastchartertour.rezgo.com.

June 4

Now You’re Cooking, Cajun cooking class with Chris Toy, 6-8pm, $50 per person, 49 Front St., Bath, 443-1402.

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June 6

Stars & Stripes Brewing Co. features Mamma Baldacci’s Italian Street Food truck, 4-8 p.m. every Thursday through September, 8 Varney Road, Freeport, 274-3866.

Food Features

Bessie’s Farm Goods Soups for spring include Lentil and Yellow Split Pea with Vegetables and Spiced Chick Pea with Tumeric, Kale, Ginger and Coconut Milk. It’s best to call ahead to order the soups; 33 Litchfield Road, Freeport, 865-9840.

Live Well Farm, 1583 Harpswell Neck Road, Harpswell, 833-2331, has announced their Summer Wine Dinner Series: Saturday, June 22, French wines and cuisines; Tuesday, July 16, Italian wines and cuisines; Tuesday, Aug. 13, American wines and cuisines; Sunday, Sept. 15, comfort foods and the owner’s favorites grapes. All dinners begin at 6:30pm at the farm. Reservations are required and are made only on-line at LiveWellFarmMaine.com. They include five courses and five wines or beers. There is always a guest speaker, with some discussion of the beverages; $85 per person. Please note that they sell out quickly.

Moderation Brewing, 103 Maine St., Brunswick, 406-2112, is introducing new beers: Grogshop Rye IPA, Spice in Paradise Mango Beer with Habaneros, and Bro Juice is back.

Wolfe’s Neck Farm Café opened Memorial Day weekend. Open Thursday-Sunday until June 13, then daily, 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. 184 Burnett Road, Freeport, 865-4469.

Sande Updegraph lives in Brunswick and is a longtime food writer. She can be reached at sandeupdegraph@gmail.com.

Azure Cafe in Freeport, a Wine Spectator magazine Award of Excellence winner.


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