North America’s biggest consumer tasting is here! Grape gurus from every corner of the globe are also here. That part is key. Vancouver International Wine Festival requires that principals be in the room to pour. In great part it’s this proviso that’s made the festival so successful. 

The chance for consumers and trade to meet the people who grow the grapes and make the wine face to face adds up to a unique opportunity that sparks passion in any wine-lover. 

As always, tickets are selling fast. But if you check vanwinefest.ca you’ll find there’s still a few to be had.

How to to make the most of it?

Here’s our ‘Alpha Tasters’ Guide, with a little of something for everyone…

A is for Action plan. Don’t leave home without one! Visit vanwinefest.ca beforehand and decide how to spend your time. Maybe figure an hour in theme region France before checking out some of the other regions and countri —after a taste of Champagne, to refresh your palate, of course!  Don’t forget the Regional Tasting Stations—including France, under the Eiffel Tower) This year’s theme section promises to over deliver, with tastes from just about every major region, from Burgundy to Bordeaux, Beaujolais, Alsace, Loire, Rhone, Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon.

 B is for Bertrand (#18). That’ll be Gerard Bertrand , Languedoc’s star winemaker, who’s now converted all of his 13 properties to organic / biodynamic. He’s very much helped put the once ho-hum region firmly on the map. Taste: 

C is for Catena (Bodega Catena Zapata #45). Drop by to taste some serious Malbec. Arguably the most consumer friendly red around, it’s the variety that made it all happen for Argentina. Not a Malbec fan? Just taste through the selection here and it might well change your mind, including the Historic Rows and Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 2017, which sports one of the most remarkable labels ever seen—and plenty more in the bottle.

D is for Domaine Duseigneur (#11) , where Bernard Duseigneur, is pouring his certified organic Côtes du Rhone and Chateauneuf du Pape wines, including the formidable Catarina,  Joanne, Le Songe de Catherine—and Catarina Clairette.

E is for Emilia-Romagna, the historic corner of northern Italy that’s home to  Medici Ermete (#111), celebrated producer of Lambrusco. Drop by to meet Ermes Scardova, who can taste you through these truly delightful sparklers.

F is for Feteasca, grape varieties you’ve maybe never heard of. Never mind, here’s your chance to taste them. Stalwarts in Romania, you can taste Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regala and Feteasca Neagra at LacertA (#135) and Liliac (#136).

G is for Garzon, that’ll be Bodega Garzón (#146), Uruguay’s flagship winery near the Atlantic coast that’s making waves around the world. Don’t miss: Reserva Albariño and Reserva Tannat.

H is for Hugel & Fils (#22), one of Alsace’s most storied producers. Drop by to meet Jean Frédéric Hugel, from the wineryfamily’s 13th generation. Don’t miss: the Estate Riesling and Estate Gewürz.

I is for Icon, such as Painted Rock Icon. Taste with proprietor John Skinner, along with all of his other wines which are putting BC on the world wine map from London to Marseilles and beyond. (#80)

J as in Jackson—Kendall Jackson (#153). Meet legendary Randy Ullom—who’s responsible for making over a million cases of Vintners Reserve Chardonnay, and leading the US giant along the road to sustainability. Taste: the Jackson Estate Camelot Highlands Chardonnay. 

K is for Korta Katarina (#94) and Krolo (#95) wineries. Find them under the Croatian flag, along with Coronica and Franc Arman, where you can discover tastes from the eastern Adriatic, such as Malvazija, Plavac, Posip and Teran.

L: Laurent Perrier, one of France’s most celebrated Champagne houses, founded in 1812. Brut, Ultra Brut, Cuvée Rosé, Grand Siècle. What’s not to like?

M is for Majella (#52), who makes this list every time. Because, well, who can resist chatting to ‘The Prof’ Brian Lynn. Drop by for a taste of Australia’s ‘other red’, some Coonawarra Cab; don’t miss the sparkling Shiraz, and more.

N is for Naramata Bench, which is BC’s newest sub app, or Sub Geographic Indicator—but by no means the last. Taste what the bench has to offer at no less than seven Bench wineries pouring: Bench 1775, Da Silva, La Frenz, Laughing Stock, Moraine Estate, Poplar Grove and Tightrope. Pick just one? Da Silva (#67)—especially Muscat and Fumé Blanc.

O is for organic wines—which are taking off both at home and abroad. In BC organic conversion is progressing rapidly, with over 20 percent of vineyards expected to be certified by next year. Drop by Free Form (#70) / Haywire (Okanagan Crush Pad), and CedarCreek (#62) to get a good sense of why. But also don’t miss the likes of Argentina’s Domaine Bousquet (#44), Domaine Duseigneur, Angove (#49) Warboys, Jasci & Marchesani (#109) and others.

P is for Phantom Creek (#81). The most impressive winery to be built in the Okanagan since Mission Hill arrived pulls off the wraps this spring. A chance to taste their Pinot Gris, shaped by Alsace great Olivier Humbrecht, Viognier and the red blend. 

Q is for Quinta da Foz (#131). Drop by and say ‘hi to owner Filipe Ferriera and taste his Douro table wines.

R—yes, is always for Riesling. Still an all too often under-appreciated grape in this market. First and foremost, head to Regional Tasting Station Germany: the Coolest Wines on Earth, for a good selection poured by top Vancouver somms. Then to France for  Metz GC Altenberg de Bergbieten (trade only), Hugel, the Jacob’s Creek Steingarten, and afterwards BC—CedarCreek Platinum Block 3, Moraine, Phantom Creek, Quails’ Gate, Tightrope and Fort Berens.

S is for Sorelle Bronca (#119), producer of top tier Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG, which accounts for only one in every nine bottles produced. Say hello to Antonella Bronca and taste through—especially the superb single parcel wines, which will forever change the way you think about Prosecco.

T is for Tiberio (#120). Don’t miss these excellent Abruzzo wines, particularly the Trebbiano d’Abbruzzo and Pecorino, poured by owner and winemaker Christina Tiberio.

U is for Unsworth (#87), one of a handful of wineries driving quality in the Cowichan (Vancouver Island) as well as an initiative to become a sub G-I. Let winemaker Don’t miss: the 2017 Pinot Noir, perennially one of the Island’s best.

V is for Viña Undurraga (#91), showing the new side of Chile. Taste the TH (Terroir Hunter)  and Old Vine Carignan (trade).

W is for ‘Winemaker’ and the Who’s Who of the Wine World. They’re here in force this week, including Astrolabe’s (#124) Simon Waghorn (NZ), Nathalie Bonhomme (Les Vins Bonhomme #137), Maria Lopez (Bodega Sarmentero #143), and many more—and Master of Wine Mark de Vere (Robert Mondavi #159), one of the most well travelled palates in the room.

Y is for … Your wine. Did you know that if you buy a case (12 bottles, mixed if you wish.) at the festival’s BC Liquor Store they’ll ship it free to your nearest BCLS?

X is for Cuvée ‘X’. Find it at LacertA. 

Y is for Yalumba (#55), the Barossa stalwart who put Viognier on the map. Go taste it, as well as the Shiraz and GSM (Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro).

Z? Zinfandel, of course. Find it (where else?) in California, Oak Knoll, Benziger, Lange Twins and Michael David. 

D is for Done. Like dinner. Taittinger (#41), please!

 

REGIONAL TASTING STATIONS

Vive la France!

Germany: The Coolest Wines on Earth

New Zealand: Pure Discovery –
The Past, the Present, and the Future

Discover White Wines of South Africa

#RoséAllDay