Vancouver International Wine Festival

Vancouver International Wine Festival 

 

International Festival Tasting 

 

Darpan Magazine was invited to attend the coveted Vancouver International Wine Festival, and our first event was the International Festival Tasting on Thursday, February 27 – always a fun event that showcases the very best wines from around the world. This year was no exception, as attendees were treated to a wide array of reds, whites and bubbly, including rare bottles and new treasures from local and international wineries. Taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, the Festival Tasting had a vibrant ambiance as individuals from all walks of life came to celebrate diverse wines from the most spectacular wine growing regions in the world. 

 

Our favourites from the night were the following: 

 

Las Perdices – Extra Brut Rose & Reserva Albarino 2012

Summerhill Pyramid Winery – 1998 Cipes Ariel & Cipes Brut

Lake Breeze Vineyards – Zephyr Brut 2009

Peter Lehman – Layers Red

Bodega Renacer – 2011 Enamore

Wayne Gretzky Okanagan – Icon 99 & Chardonnay

Majella – Sparkling Shiraz 2007

Teusner – Righteous FG Shiraz 

Steller’s Jay - Pinnacle

McGuigan Wines – Handmade Shiraz 2010 

 

Life of Pie

 

On Saturday, March 1, we were invited to three events starting off with Life of Pie touted as “an Aussie adventure in food and wine” showcasing the very best in Aussie wines paired with the nation’s very own speciality – Aussie pies!

 

Entering Loungeworks on West 4th,  wine festival attendees were treated to the sounds of the didgeridoo, a wind instrument developed by the nation’s Indigenous people, and a vibrant atmosphere as wine personalities mingled with attendees. 

 

Our favourites were the following: 

 

Teusner Wines – The Independent Shiraz Mataro 2012 & The Riebke Shiraz 2012

Wolf Blass – Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2008

Yalumba – Y Series Viognier 2013 & Old Bush Vine Grenache 2012

Wine Men of Gotham – Shiraz 2012 & Moscato

Yellowglen – Prosecco & Pinot Noir Chardonnay NV

 

International Festival Tasting

 

We had a chance to visit different local and international wineries on Saturday, and once again we had a wonderful time getting to know winery principals and winemakers at the International Festival Tasting – always a great event to attend! 

 

Our favourites were the following: 

 

Champagne Taittinger – Nocturne & Brut Reserve

Trim Wines – 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon

Signorello Estate – Padrone 2010

Bodegas Castano – Monastrell 2012 & Hecula 2011 

Edge Wines – 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon

Schloss Johannisberg – Riesling Gelback QBA 2012

Fuse Wines – 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon

Truett Hurst – Colby Red 2011 & Bewitched Chardonnay 2010 

 

France: Find Your Style 

 

And our last event was a fun-filled wine seminar with flamboyant French personalities – France: Find Your Style. Hosted by Angela Aiello, founder of iYellow Wine Club, attendees were led on a journey of tastes, aromas and flavours with the expert panel, who led us through the various regions of France – we had a lovely time and it was an exceptional way to end our wine festival experience.

 

Our favourites were the following: 

 

Les Grands Chais de France, Chateau du Cleray, Muscadet 2012

Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Chateau d’Armailhac, Bordeaux 2009

Hugel & Fils, Alsace, Pinot Blanc 2010

Chateau de Sancerre, Sancerre, Loire 2012 

 

And later that evening, Australia was announced as next year’s theme region for the festival!