The Metro Wine Bar & Bistro, 6418 N. Western, will present the fourth almost-annual “Refreshing the Palette” on Sunday. The event pairs local artists with wines to create unique interpretations of wine labels in order to raise money for charity.
LaVeryl Lower, co-owner of The Metro, started “Refreshing the Palette” five years ago as a way to combine two of her favorite things.
“I just thought it would be a fun way to combine art and wine, and to benefit a local arts organization,” Lower said. “It’s evolved over the years, but the idea to expose people to wine and local artists was there from the beginning.”
right, LaVeryl Lower, co-owner
Twenty percent of the proceeds will go to the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition to fund grants, workshops and other programs to advance the arts in the state. The remaining funds go directly to the artists.
“The good thing about the funds raised by LaVeryl’s event is that they are able to be used as needed,” said participating artist Kelsey Karper, associate director of OVAC. “Grants are usually earmarked for a particular project, but these funds enable us to fund artist grants and to offer our ‘Business of Art’ workshops, where artists learn to develop portfolios, market their art and generally learn the business of the trade.”
Among the 20 participating artists, some include former NBA star Desmond Mason, Suzanne Mears, Haley Luna, Sam Douglas and Trevar Peterson. The artists work in several media, including photography, oil, glass and mixed. All artwork will be auctioned off at the event.
Lower has selected 20 wines for the event: split equally between reds and whites. These include local favorites from Adelsheim, Duckhorn, Gabrielle, Merryvale, Odisea and St. Supery. Additionally, attendees will have a rare opportunity to try some new wines, as well some critically acclaimed wines.
Among the new wines is Neyers Sage Canyon Red, a blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignane and Syrah. It is the first-ever Rhonestyle blend from this Napa winery, well-known for its balanced, fruitforward wines. It’s also available at Broadway Wine Merchants, 824 N. Broadway, and Bacchus Wine and Spirits, 17216 N. May.
Lower will also pour the 2008 Favia Quarzo Syrah, a 95-point, dense, delicious monster from Annie Favia. Wine Spectator called it “Rich, thick and polished, fullbodied and stylish.” The California Syrah is available at Edmond Wine Shop, 1520 S. Boulevard in Edmond; Spirit Shop, 1117 Garver in Norman; and Beau’s Wine Bin, 2810 W. Country Club Dr.
Photo by Mark Hancock
