Welcome to bottle2glass a blog about what I love...… Wine
It is that time again!
It's time for the Vancouver International Wine Festival. This year France will be the theme country with a focus on bubbly. France will be represented by the following regions: Bourgogne (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay); Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot Sauvignon Blanc Semillon and Mucadelle); Rhone Valley (Syrah, Grenache, Roussane and Viognier); Champagne (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier); and Beaujolais (Gamay and Chardonnay) to name a few. There will also be a great variety of other wineries in the tasting room from Canada to Israel. This year there will be 178 wineries from 14 countries pouring over 780 wines! I am sure you won't be able to taste them all. So the best way to enjoy the evening is to plan.
Here are some pointers that I put together that I use when I attend the Wine Festival.
- Have a designated driver or plan to take transit. Remember be responsible!
- Make a list - It can become overwhelming with over 780 wines. Which is daunting in itself. So a list of wines, winery or region you want to taste will make the experience more enjoyable.
- Take Notes on your choices - after tasting 27 wines you will not remember the first. I had notes saying which wine I liked. Simple notes are best. These notes will also come in handy when/if you want to buy the wine at the end of the festival. The BCLB will have a wine shop at there.
- Spit the wine - again 27 wines? Trust me you will want to spit. If you are not sure how to do this practise at home before attending the event. Purse your lips together and force the wine out of your mouth into the bucket provided once you had a good taste. The key is to taste by swirling the wine in your mouth and then spit it into the bucket provided. Aim well!
- Do not stand in front of the table or spit bucket - Once you get your taster move aside and let others in. Do not stand in front of the spit bucket unless you want to get sprayed!
- Talk to the people representing the winery. You never know the person pouring may have their name on the bottle. Remember do not hog their time.
- Do not wear white - Yes! red wine likes white clothes.
- The night goes fast so if there is a line up at the table move to the next and come back at a later time
- Eat before you go, most wine tastings only have small food samplers.
If you do not like large crowds the tasting room will not be for you. Try one of the smaller events that are available during the event. Book early to get a ticket or two for one of the Lunches, Minglers, Dinners or seminars. Check out the web site at Vancouver International Wine Festival. The festival runs from February 24th to March 2nd, 2014.
If you cannot make the festival this year try a wine from one of the many regions that will be represented this year. Let me help you get started with my three selections from the Rhone Valley.
I have attached a map below of the Major AOC wine producing regions and a map of the Rhone Valley.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape - Chateau de la Gardine
This wine is a blend of Granche (60%), Mourvedre (20%), and Muscardin (5%). This last grape is used primarily in Rhone as a blending grape. Nose - gamely, plum, cherry and sweet herbs; Palate - Red Fruit, sweet herbs and a hint of coffee, and nice long finish. A great wine that will improve with a few more years in the bottle or drink it now and enjoy. You may find this wine at the BCLD near you.
Esprit Du Rhone - Cotes Du Rhone Reserve 2005
This Cotes Du Rhone makes a nice everyday wine. When you have had a bad day or need to kick back this is the one. Nose - Dark Cherry, earth and thyme spice; Palate - Dark Cherry, forest floor, spice with smooth tannins. This wine you may find in a speciality wine store like Marquis Wine Cellars or Everything Wines. If you cannot find the one I reviewed try this Cotes Du Rhone - Delas St. Esprit. The price point on this is slightly higher but still below $20.00
Chusclan - Cotes Du Rhone Villages - 2004
This wine is a blend of Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Mourvedre. Nose - Spice, forest floor and dark fruit; Palate - Dark Fruit, earth, plum and pepper spice on the finish. Another nice wine from the Rhone. I purchased this at a speciality wine store. Unfortunately you will not be able to find it in the BCLD. If you happen to see it on the shelf pick up a bottle or two.
Enjoy the wines listed above and if you find a different wine you enjoyed let me know!
à la prochaine
(until next time)
If you cannot make the festival this year try a wine from one of the many regions that will be represented this year. Let me help you get started with my three selections from the Rhone Valley.
I have attached a map below of the Major AOC wine producing regions and a map of the Rhone Valley.
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| France Wine Regions - winewitandwisdomswe.com |
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| Rhone Wine Map - vinofiles.com |
Chateauneuf-du-Pape - Chateau de la Gardine
This wine is a blend of Granche (60%), Mourvedre (20%), and Muscardin (5%). This last grape is used primarily in Rhone as a blending grape. Nose - gamely, plum, cherry and sweet herbs; Palate - Red Fruit, sweet herbs and a hint of coffee, and nice long finish. A great wine that will improve with a few more years in the bottle or drink it now and enjoy. You may find this wine at the BCLD near you.
Esprit Du Rhone - Cotes Du Rhone Reserve 2005
This Cotes Du Rhone makes a nice everyday wine. When you have had a bad day or need to kick back this is the one. Nose - Dark Cherry, earth and thyme spice; Palate - Dark Cherry, forest floor, spice with smooth tannins. This wine you may find in a speciality wine store like Marquis Wine Cellars or Everything Wines. If you cannot find the one I reviewed try this Cotes Du Rhone - Delas St. Esprit. The price point on this is slightly higher but still below $20.00
Chusclan - Cotes Du Rhone Villages - 2004
This wine is a blend of Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Mourvedre. Nose - Spice, forest floor and dark fruit; Palate - Dark Fruit, earth, plum and pepper spice on the finish. Another nice wine from the Rhone. I purchased this at a speciality wine store. Unfortunately you will not be able to find it in the BCLD. If you happen to see it on the shelf pick up a bottle or two.
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à la prochaine
(until next time)
