Trend Watch: ‘Townley Wines’ event at gallery

Townley Gallery is hosting a “Townley Wines” event from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the gallery.

A new pinot noir is in, according to an e-mail from the gallery. “Come celebrate with us and try the Townley artist signature label pinot, 2011 Pinot Noir, La Encantanada Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills,” the email said.

The wine is described as having aromas of dark red fruit and earth, silky textures and great balance. Winemaker Randy Bennet will be attendance to talk about the wine and pour tastings of it as well as other wines such as the Townley 2008 Cabernet, 2009 Chardonnay and 2008 Syrah.

The event is free. Townley Gallery is at 570 S. Coast Highway; townleywines.com for more information. Reservations required. E-mail Bill Bradfield at bill@lagunaart.com or call (949) 878-1891.

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A taste of Italy without the flight

Laguna Canyon Winery will host an Italian winemaker’s dinner from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.

The family-style seating event will feature a six-course dinner prepared by Chef Nancy Crocco, according to an e-mail. Winemaker Marlowe J. Huber will select the wine pairings. The first course will be a Polenta Conciae Carbonnade, cubed filet mignon browned in butter and simmered in a Cabernet Sauvignon broth and served over a polenta, and Fontina truffle butter lasagna, according the dinner description. It will be paired with a 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Course two will be Baked Branzino, a European seabass baked with capers, Chardonnay lemon and butter sauce and served over sauteed escarole. It will be paired with a 2010 Russian River Valley Chardonnay.

The third course will be Antipasti con Foccacia, an assortment of cured meats and Italian cheese paired with 2009 Rockpile Malbec. A fourth course is planned: Napoli Pappardelle ai Funghi Porcini, a handmade pasta dish with porcini mushroom sauce.

Europeans tend to have their salad after dinner and, fittingly, the fifth course will be Insalata Arugla, a salad of arugla, baby heirloom tomatoes, pignoli and fresh Parmesan in a Pinot Gris balsamic vinaigrette. That will be served with a 2011 Los Carneros Pinot Gris.

The last course — always my favorite — will be Tiramisu, a traditional Italian dessert of ladyfingers dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of egg yolks and mascarpone cheese, and flavored with Grand Marnier and cocoa. It will be served with a 2012 California Pink Moscato.

More information is at lagunacanyonwinery.com. The Laguna Canyon Winery is at 2133 Laguna Canyon Road.

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Laguna Beach a la Carte on through Sunday

Don’t forget Laguna Beach a la Carte takes place through Sunday. Barbara Diamond gives all the details in her Our Laguna column this week. Readers can also find out more at https://www.lagunabeachalacarte.com.

ALISHA GOMEZ is the managing editor of the Coastline Pilot or Huntington Beach Independent. She can be reached at alisha.gomez@latimes.com or (714) 966-4618.