A sweeping array of Aussie culture

Wine tastings, an exhibit of works by indigenous artists, and a black-tie gala will be part of G'Day USA Australia Week.

JAN. 13-24

SAN FRANCISCO, LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK

G'Day USA Australia Week: With the film "Australia" just out, the country is in the spotlight. Every January, several US cities hold events honoring the culture, food, and popular wines of the continent down under. Among the events are a Boutique Australian Dinner Jan. 15 in San Francisco; a black tie gala with an Australian style dinner crafted by Australian celebrity chef Luke Mangan on Jan. 18 in Los Angeles; and a "Wild About Wildlife" conservation dinner Jan. 21 in New York. Supermarket displays, wine and food tastings, and cultural events also dot the month in these cities and at the satellite event in Houston. Prices vary from free for supermarket demonstrations to $1,000 for an individual ticket to the conservation dinner. www.australiaweek.com/events.

FEB. 9-18

YARRA VALLEY, AUSTRALIA

Yarra Valley Grape Grazing Festival: Australia celebrates its national day every Jan. 26 with festivities in its big cities, but if you're seeking wine fests, you might want to wait until the wine country celebrations start in February. The 21st annual festival in the Yarra Valley east of Melbourne features "Pinot Tonight" at Outlook Hill Vineyard, Healesville, Victoria. Pinot noir, aged premier cru red burgundy, and other wines will be matched to a five-course dinner. Other events and prices will be posted later. 011-61-03-5962-6600, www.grapegrazing.com.au.

JAN. 31-MARCH 28

NAPA VALLEY, CALIF.

Napa Valley Mustard Festival: This sprawling winter festival encompasses culinary events in several towns and cities in the valley most known for its wines, as well as competitions among mustards from all over the world, cultural events, and other festivities. Wild mustard blooms in hues of green and gold are a backdrop to such events as a grand opening, Mustard Magic, Jan. 31, at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena; an awards ceremony March 13 at the Black Stallion Winery in Napa Valley; a Taste of Yountville Feb. 21, and a grand finale March 28 at Mumm Napa vineyard in Rutherford. Prices to be announced. 707-938-1133, www.mustardfestival.org.

JAN. 28-FEB. 2

TAOS, N.M.

23d Annual Taos Winter Wine Festival: This mountain town is known for skiing, but for one week each winter, it also becomes a beacon for wine lovers. The wine events, most $45, feature such vintages as Calera Mount Harlan pinot noirs Jan. 29; Domaine Drouhin Oregon pinots Jan. 30, and wines of the Veneto, Italy, Jan. 31. A gala Jan. 25 celebrates the chefs of Taos restaurants such as Joseph's Table, El Meze Restaurant, and Snakedance Restaurant. A blending seminar, special dinners, and ski packages are also part of the week. Prices range from $45 to $150. 505-438-8060, www.skitaos.org.

PLAN AHEAD

FEB. 19-22

SOUTH BEACH, MIAMI

South Beach Wine & Food Festival: It's hard to top the glitz of this blowout, hosted by Food & Wine magazine in collaboration with the Food Network. The events range from wine tastings to gala dinners to children's cooking classes. Some of the favorites of the festival, which began in 2002, are a champagne dinner featuring Tom Colicchio of Craft, Craftsteak and more; an interactive cooking lunch with Hung Huynh, who won the Top Chef contest in 2007, and a burger bash featuring Rachael Ray. Prices vary widely; the above events range from $150 to $450. 877-762-3933, www.sobewineandfoodfest.com.

ALISON ARNETT

Events are sometimes canceled, rescheduled, or sold out; call or check online to confirm. Alison Arnett can be reached at alacarte59@aol.com.