TASTE THE WORLD

International Festival Tasting

The Wine World is Here for the 41st Vancouver International Wine Festival, and you can discover it for yourself at the International Festival Tastings.

A tour of the Tasting Room lets you choose from ~725 wines from 16 countries. Begin with a trip to the theme region section, where you can Dream Big: California Style, visiting 53 wineries and Regional Tasting Stations from Napa Valley and California.

Then explore another 107 wineries representing 15 countries including 32 from Canada, 19 from Italy, and two wineries from festival newcomer Romania. You can also visit Regional Tasting Stations from Australia, New Zealand, Nova Scotia, South Africa, Spain, and Washington State where you’ll get a mini-tour of wines from those regions and countries.

You can download a PDF of the Tasting Room Program at VanWineFest.ca to plan your Tasting Room visit in advance. And see all the remaining events on the online Festival at a Glance.

TOP 10 TASTING TIPS

If you have a ticket to one of the International Festival Tastings here are some tips for the best ways to enjoy the event (with special thanks to wine educator DJ Kearney). Visit VanWineFest.ca to view our Tasting Tips Video. 1. Have a meal first. Remember this is a wine tasting, not a dinner event. Some small food samples are served in the Tasting Room, but if you have a meal first, you’ll have more quality time with the wines.

2. Have a plan of attack. Consult the website or look at the Tasting Room Program (it’s online too, and get one onsite). It’s a big room with ~725 wines on offer. Be strategic.

3. Keep your profile lean. Check your big puffy coat and if you must bring a shoulder bag, make it a small one. You’ll have more room to move around and so will everyone else. Use the festival app (iOS and Android platforms) to make notes and take photos on your smartphone of wines you enjoy.

4. Leave fragrances at home. Scents from perfume, aftershave or even hand lotion can interfere with your (and others!) enjoyment of the wines.

5. Wear dark colours. Dark colours will be your friend if wine is dripped or spilled on you.

6. High heels are not your friend. There are 160 wineries in the room. Wear flats. Your feet will thank you. 7. Swirl, sniff, sip and then spit. Yes, spit (or dump out) the contents of your glass. That’s what all the pros do. Wineries will not be offended. It’s how you get to enjoy lots and lots of wines.

8. Talk to the vine stars. It’s a VanWineFest hallmark that each winery brings a winemaker, owner or senior exec to Vancouver. Vine stars are the ones wearing royal blue lanyards. Talk to them and you’ll learn history, background and enhance your enjoyment of the wine. It’s a very special festival because important people are here.

9. BC Liquor Stores onsite wine shop. All wines served at International Festival Tastings are on sale at the onsite BCLS store. It’s one of the best things about this festival. Shop as you go (don’t wait to the end as they might be sold out) and put your favourites in the Bottle Check. Best yet, the wine – whether you buy one bottle or 100 – can be shipped for free to the BC Liquor Store nearest you.

10. Don’t Wine and Drive. Plan a safe ride home. And if you’re on transit, pick up a free transit pass at the

Get Home Safe booth in the Liquor Store. Or take a taxi, limo or stay at a hotel. StayVancouverHotels.com offers special benefits.