Fruit of the vine

Foodies can raise a glass to spring – even if the weather doesn’t cooperate – with a wine dinner at Arborvine in Blue Hill. For the event, which will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 15, chef John Hikade has created a menu that will complement wines selected by Ned Swain of Devenish Wines and Mark Boechat of Blue Hill Wine Shop. Among the highlights are a Galette of Stonington Crabmeat with Avocado Butter paired with a 2001 Michel Redde Sancerre “Les Tuileres,” as well as a Grilled Peppercorn Encrusted Duckbreast with Saffron Risotto and Piquant Cherry Salsa paired with a 2002 Tamarack Cellars “Firehouse Red” Columbia Valley. The dinner costs $65 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 374-2119.

Love licorice?

If you pick through the candy jar and leave a pile of black jellybeans in your wake, you should probably stop reading this. April 12 is National Licorice Day, and if you’re looking for a way to celebrate, visit www.licoriceinternational.com, which boasts the nation’s largest selection of licorice, including Finnish pipes, salt licorice from Holland and twists from Australia. Oh, and the site sells red licorice, too. For more information, call (800) LICORICE.

Tour de France

The Muddy Rudder in Brewer will pay homage to French cuisine at its monthly wine dinner, scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, April 12. Jeff Cole of Classic Wines will present a selection of French vintages paired with Chef David Smith’s menu. Among the offerings will be Saumon en Papillote (salmon baked in parchment paper with fresh herbs) paired with J&F Lurton Fume Rouge and Roulade de Boeuf (thinly pounded beef rolled with roasted red pepper, baby spinach and bleu cheese). The dinner costs $55 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 989-5389.

Tidbits is hungry for news about local food products and events. Send your Tidbits by mail to: Bangor Daily News, attn: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402-1329; by fax to 941-9476; or by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net.