Tasting Room Trauma? Don’t worry about it! Here’s how to make the most of the International Tasting Room. The centrepiece of the Vancouver International Wine Festival, it’s where everything—and everybody—comes together. It’s where the who’s who of the wine world gets to connect. And the buzz is palpable. In fact it’s so palpable that it can be just a tad overwhelming.
Unless, of course, you come well prepared.
While this year’s spotlight is on west coast USA, don’t overlook the strong presence from BC, as well as Italy, Australia, Greece and Croatia!
Here’s how to really make the most of your #VIWF tasting room time.
Courtesy VIWF
1. Plan ahead!
Before you go, download the VanWineFest app, available on Google Play and the App Store. You may also read or download the Tasting Room program here.
Make a short list of what you want to taste and who you’d like to meet. Maybe there’s a theme that pops up. For instance, I’m always interested to taste what’s coming from the Adriatic and neighbouring regions, so I’ll head to Croatia and Greece, for sure. But also remember to check out the theme region for some pretty wicked wines. (Did you know that the very first Vancouver (Playhouse) Wine Festival (46 years ago) was an all-California affair? Also, don’t overlook the convenience of the Regional Tasting Stations. They’re a really efficient way to quickly taste a range of wines. And get a quick refresher about what makes a region tick. This year’s stations include New Zealand, Bordeaux and California plus ‘Wines for a Better Planet’ and a ‘West Coast Chard Bar’, among others.
2. Track down the principals
The wine festival calls them ‘wine stars’. And they truly are. Here’s one of the few consumer tastings anywhere where chances are the person behind the table is the owner or winemaker—or both! Make a point of talking to them. You can learn a lot in a short time. And have the memory of that personal connection.
3. Make a quick note
No, you don’t have to make fancy notes and get all wine-speak geeky. But it does help if you even quickly score (maybe out of three stars) what you like. Grab a quick pic on your phone. Or, even, just circle what you like on your program. That way you’ll remember when you come to …
4. Buy wine
Well, why wouldn’t you buy wine? A lot of the tasting room wines are here only for the duration of the festival. Figure out ahead of time how much you want to spend as you exit through the festival store. Plus, if you buy a case of wine, BC Liquor Stores will ship it free of charge to your local BCLS store to pick up later.
5. Think outside the box
You don’t walk into a room of 700 wines to taste what you already know and love. Be adventurous—especially this year. Revel in the amazing selection! Where else can you go from Assyrtiko to Zinfandel in just a few steps?
6. Wine Tasting room etiquette
Be courteous and aware of who’s around you. Don’t hog the table. Once you have your pour, step back and let others approach. Successful wine tasting is all about everyone being able to get around the room easily.
7. Eat before you go
Even though you’ll be spitting (see below), you’ll still absorb a fair amount of alcohol. Don’t hit the tasting room on an empty stomach. Or it will hit you! Plan to eat ahead of time. There’s no shortage of spots from which to choose. I like the TC Lions Pub, Cactus Club, Moose’s Down Under and Nightingale, among many close by. Check my full list here! Also, check for Happy Hour options, too.
8. Take cabs or free transit
Don’t even think about tasting and driving. Take an Uber or taxi, or get your free Safe Ride Home Ticket from the BC Transit booth outside the Tasting Room.
9. Dress for real
First of all, it’s not a fashion show. (Well, except maybe Saturday night ;-)… Wear comfortable shoes and perhaps a jacket with big pockets. Bring a shoulder bag for your program and any tasting sheets you might pick up. Oh, and no after shave, cologne or perfume, please. It’s the quickest way to ruin things for everyone… including yourself.
10. Spit, spit and spit again…
The more you spit… the more it becomes second nature. Even though you might be tempted to swallow the odd wine it’s best not to. Be firm: “Swirl, Sniff, Sip and Spit” is what it’s all about. If you want to make it to the end, spitting—that’s everything—is the only way to go.
Follow me @hiredBelly on Instagram —and on Facebook. I’ll be posting from several tastings during the week. Many, if not most, of those wines will be in the tasting room, so you can include them in your plan.
Above all, have fun. And be thankful that you can be part of one of the best wine festivals anywhere—and (if you’re a Vancouverite) live in one of the most wine friendly cities in the world!
Excellent tips, Tim. You’ve hit all the key points.