Counting down to next week's Vancouver International Wine Festival, it's apparent that this will be one of the most well attended in the festival's 36 years.
How come it's so popular? A couple of key reasons: Arguably North America's most important combined consumer and trade wine gathering, it's a great opportunity for wineries to meet their customers face to face in a thriving food and wine town, which our visitors say, year after year, has few peers.
The other drivers in 2014 are France, as the theme region, and Champagne/sparkling wine as the global focus. Not to mention strong showings from several other regions.While most of the minglers, dinners and panel tastings are now sold out, there are still tickets to the International Festival Tastings.
If you're even a "part-time" wine drinker (you buy wine, even occasionally) you owe it to yourself to go. How can you make the most of these tastings (which can feel quite overwhelming)? Here's a few tips:Once you've bought your ticket, spend some quality time with the online guide (playhousewinefest.com) to develop a plan. Use the time to be adventurous and discover new wines outside your comfort zone; maybe concentrate on one or two wine regions that are unfamiliar. And pick two or three varieties on which to focus.
Start out with sparkling wine, and when your palate gets tired, taste some more.Don't forget to spit. And write down what you like or photograph the label on your smart phone.
Don't be shy about asking questions. And be considerate by making way for others who also want to taste (i.e. don't hog the table! ). And wear comfortable shoes.
Here's a little known fact: If you buy a case of wine at the festival B.C. Liquor Store, they'll ship it free to your local BCLS for you to pick up later. So, if you do find wines you like, why not go ahead and buy some?Still wondering how to start and where to go? Here's just a few "don't-miss" highlights:Domaine Charles Sparr (Alsace, France)Muscat, Riesling Grand Cru and Cremant Rosé, poured by 10th-generation owners. What more could you want?Maison Louis Latour (Burgundy, France)A great cross section of wines here, including Grand Crus Corton Charlemagne and Corton GrancyFamille Perrin (Rhone, France)One of Rhone's (and organic wine's) most travelled ambassadors, Thomas Perrin pours Chateau de Beaucastel and more.Nicolas Feuillatte, (Champagne, France)Its tough to pick just one Champagne house, but I'd go here for the full spectrum of styles and a couple of vintagesRomain Duvernay (Rhone, France)Proprietor and winemaker Romain Duvernay pours a strong offering, including the much lauded Vacqueyras 2011.
And elsewhere:Majella (Coonawarra, Australia) Meet the shy and retiring Brian Lyn, proprietor, who will tell you why Coonawarra makes the best Cabernet in the world and pour you some sparkling Shiraz.Summerhill (Okanagan, B.C.)Ezra Cipes pours four different sparkling wines (including the award-winning Ariel 98), proving Summerhill has fully embraced this year's global focusMonte del Frá (Veneto, Italy)Marica Bonomo, owner, pours wines from her estate that grows only indigenous native vines, including Lena di Mezzo Amarone 07.Graham's (Porto, Portugal)Meet and taste with proprietor Rupert Symington, one of Port's most knowledgable and celebrated personalities.
Tim Pawsey covers food and wine for numerous publications and online as the Hired Belly at hiredbelly.com. Contact: [email protected].
