Following last night’s Vancouver International Wine Festival 2014 media preview, here’s what you need to know to sip, savour, and even slumber at the most delicious wine event of the year.
What: Vancouver’s biggest, bestest wine event otherwise known as the 36th Annual Vancouver International Wine Festival 2014
When: Feb 24 to March 2, 2014
Where: Canada Place and at various venues in Vancouver
Theme country: France
Global Focus: Bubbly!
The Numbers
14 countries, 178 wineries (25 per cent of which are new to the festival)
1750 wines, 54 events
110+ sparkling wines from around the world to be poured, including champagne
What’s New this year
Bacchanalia Gala Dinner & Auction to kick off the festival will be held on the Saturday night preceding the festival on Feb 22, 2014 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Saturday afternoon festival tasting 3-5pm at a discounted rate in addition to the regular Thursday, Friday, Saturday evening tastings.
Festival at a Glance. This handy dandy tool shows you what’s sold out and what tickets are going fast, yes, at a glance.
The Slumber Deal. Book one night at a downtown Vancouver hotel and get one free international Festival Tasting ticket ($89 value)
(Vig)noble Guests
One of the great things about this wine festival is the requirement that a winery principal – winemaker, proprietor or senior executive – be present at the festival tastings. No point in re-inventing the wheel, the Vancouver Sun has a nifty two-page layout of the “Vine Stars” and “Food Stars” coming and cooking for your pleasure.
http://www.vanwinefest.ca/sites/playhousewinefest2/files/VanSun_Jan4.PDF
Participating Wineries for 2014
http://www.vanwinefest.ca
More on Vancouver Wine Fest
As for what you can expect as the countdown continues to the biggest wine event of the year in Vancouver here at Wine Adventures? Some stories, tasting notes and such about the various wine regions and wine producers showcased at this year’s festival. Until then, I leave you with my top champagne picks and pics (picks’ pics?) from last night’s delicious preview. I will leave it to you to see, or rather taste, why!
