SIPS AND BEATLES

While mixed drinks were de rigueur at the Science of Cocktail launch, up the way at Blue Water Café in Yaletown it was all about wine.

Harry Hertscheg, executive director of the Vancouver International Wine Festival, readied wine aficionados, educators, scribes and influencers for the society’s 40th staging Feb. 24 to March 4.

Oenophiles had their first sips of exclusive wines from Spain and Portugal — this year’s featured countries — at the Festival Taste campaign launch. After raising a signature glass of Juvé y Camps Cava, Hertscheg and society chair Mark Hicken shared with guests the 50-plus events that will make up this year’s offering, including 58 featured wineries from the Iberian Peninsula.

As usual, the Bacchanalia Gala Dinner and Auction opens the eight-day celebration of wine and food. Benefiting Bard on the Beach, artistic director Christopher

Gaze and executive director Claire Sakaki were on hand to sing the party’s praises. No usual Shakespeare sonnet from the Bard chief; instead Gaze recited Beatles classics.

The red and white tents on Vanier Park will be filled with Beatles music this summer — 20 classics to be precise for a retro, Vancouver-set As You Like It. Costly music rights has Gaze encouraging wine festival gala-goers to get their $450 ticket to ride soon.

Vancouver International Wine Festival Society board chair Mark Hicken and Blue Water Café wine director William Mulholland hosted Festival Taste to launch this year’s everything wine show. Bacchanalia Gala proceeds will benefit Christopher Gaze, Kelly Snider and Claire Sakaki’s Bard on the Beach, and a retro staging of a Vancouver-set As You Like It, powered by Beatles’ music.

Executive director Harry Hertscheg will spearhead the Vancouver International Wine Festival’s 40th staging of 50-plus wine events over eight days.