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.
(Psst! If you don’t have a ticket, enter my draw for two free tix to the sold out Friday evening International Festival Tasting…)
This year’s combined theme region of Spain and Portugal offers the chance to taste a much broader range of wine styles than usual. That’s great news. But it also presents its own set of tasting room challenges.
When you think Spain and Portugal your mind probably goes right to red. Not so fast. There’s a few interesting whites to be discovered from both countries. So allow yourself some time for that. My plan is: Taste a few whites, then do the heavy lifting on the reds. Then a refreshing flight of Cava (there’s more than a few!) before I head into a final round of Ports and Sherries.
While this year’s spotlight is on Iberia, don’t overlook the strong presence from both Italy and California, as well as the ‘home team,’ BC.
Here’s how to really make the most of your #VIWF tasting room time.
Courtesy VIWF
1. Make a plan
See above. Before you go, download this year’s Tasting Room Guide from https://vanwinefest.ca/2018-tasting-room-program/
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 like Tawny Port, so here’s a great opportunity; there’s a healthy slew of them here to try. Not to mention a bunch of serious Cava.
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 from what makes a region tick. This year’s stations are: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Spain. Especially if you’re new to wine, when it comes to Spain, you might want to head there for a primer before tackling the spotlight tables.
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 the chances are the person behind the table is the owner or winemaker. Make a point of talking to them. You can learn a lot in a short time. And have the pleasure of that personal connection.
3. Make notes
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.
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. Watch out for the ‘Buy the Case’ wines at the tasting room table, where you can order it to be shipped right there—without even having to worry about the store. Not a bad plan, especially if you find something you love.
5. Think outside the box
You don’t walk into a room of 700 wines to taste what you already know. Be adventurous—especially this year. Revel in the selection! Celebrate the many shades of Sherry! Pamper yourself with Port. Taste broadly, quickly and smartly. There’s so much to discover!
6. Tasting room etiquette
Be courteous and aware. Don’t hog the scene. Once you have your pour, step back from the table, and let others taste. Successful wine tasting is all about 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 nearby spots from which to choose. I like the TC Lions Pub, Cactus Club, Hapa Izakaya and Nightingale, among several options.
8. Take cabs or free transit
Don’t even think about tasting and driving. Get your free Safe Ride Home Ticket from the BC Transit booth right outside the Tasting Room. Or, if you want to avoid the taxi rush at the end, kill some time with your notes over a coffee or perhaps a cleansing ale.
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 tasting sheets you might pick up. Oh, and no after shave or perfume, please.
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 Twitter and Instagram —and on Facebook. I’ll be tweeting and posting my finds at 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.
And don’t forget to sign up for the free tasting room tix draw!
An Iberian (long) short list
Here’s my basic ‘hit list’ that I’d suggest for Portugal & Spain.
Like I said, don’t forget the whites. Also, just because I’ve singled out one wine to try in particular doesn’t mean you shouldn’t taste others at the table. (In addition, you can check my previous post for more recommendations.)
My plan for the festival (Thursday through Saturday) is actually to taste everything from Spain and Portugal—and plenty more. Stay tuned …
A selection of wines from Sanguinhal
Portugal
Aveleda (Reserva Familia Alvarinho)
Caves Messias Qa. do Penedo (Dao White, Encruzado?)
Companhia / Sanguinhal (Qa. de Cerejeiras Branco 16)
Global Wines (Cabriz Reserva Encruzado 2016)
Niepoort (Dialogo Branco)
Quinta do Crasto (Old Vines Reserva 2014)
Fonseca (10 Year Old Tawny)
Herdade Paço Do Conde Vilares (Private Selection Reserva 2011)
Quinta Vale D. Maria (Douro Tinto 2014)
Ramos (20 Year Old Tawny)
Real / Velha. (Qa. Carvalhas Touriga Nacional 2014)
Sogrape (Sandeman 20 Year Old Tawny)
Symington (Warre’s Vintage Port 1985)
Symington (Graham’s 20 Year Old Tawny)
Taylor Fladgate (20 Year Old Tawny)
Vicente Faria (Gloria Reserva 2015)
Spain
Alvaro Palacios (Priorat 2016)
Arinzano (La Casona 2010)
Bodegas Alvear (PX Solera 1927)
Bodegas Ateca (Garnacha Old Vines 2014)
Cellers Baronia Monstsant (Clos d’Englora AV14 2009)
Vins Bonhomme (Organic Monastrell Jumilla 2016)
Campo Viejo (Gran Reserva 2011)
Familia Castano (Casa Cisca)
CVNE (Cune Gran Reserva 2011)
Grupo Faustino (Gran Reserva 2005)
Freixenet (Casa Sala Brut Nature 2007)
Bodegas Juan Gil (Organic Monastrell 2016)
Juvé & Camps (Reserva de la Familia 2014)
Lustau (Puerto Fino)
Bodega de Moya (Maria Bobal 2015)
Marques de Murrieta (Dalmau Rioja Tinto Reserva 2013)
Pares Balta (Gratavinum)
Segura Viudas (Heredad Brut Reserva)
Torres (Mas la Plana 2012)
Bodegas Valdemar (Inspiracion 2012)
That’s all for now. I’ll have more picks from other countries as the week progresses…
Excellent tips, Tim. You’ve hit all the key points.