The Vancouver International Wine Festival (February 22 to March 1) isn’t just for enthusiasts of the grape. There are all sorts of happenings that appeal just as much to food lovers and those who want to discover more about perfect and sometimes surprising wine and food pairings.

You have to be quick to get tickets to signature events like the Bacchanalia Gala and the Vintners’ Brunch (both sold out), but here are other tantalizing events offering fine wine and food that you can still get a taste of.

PICA Kitchen Party

Graze your way through the kitchens of Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts at the entrance to Granville Island as some of the top chefs in the province, all members Chefs’ Table Society of BC, prepare dishes made to match wines from around the world, from Oregon’s Jackson Family Wines to Spain’s Marqués de Risca. The culinary superstars include Say Mercy’s Sean Reeve, Wildebeest’s Ian McHale, Autostrada’s Lucais Syme, Pan Pacific Hotel’s Sean Murray, Shangri-la Hotel’s Ken Nakano, and PICA’s own Brian Luptak. Winery principals will be on hand, too, so you can have all your pairing questions answered.

Details are here.

Bon Appetit

France is the 2020 fest's theme country, and the French sure know how to live. Stroll from stop to stop indulging on bites like albacore tuna Niçoise, mini quiche Lorraine, escargot en croute, mussels Marinière, pommes Dauphine. profiteroles, basil macarons, et beaucoup plus, as well as tastings of 42 wines from 10 regions of France. It all takes place at the VCC with sweeping views of the North Shore mountains and Coal Harbour.

Get tickets here.

The Best of BC—Farm to Glass

Visit the Okanagan Valley without leaving Vancouver when Home Block at CedarCreek executive chef Neil Taylor and Honey Salt’s Jason Harper collaborate on a multicourse BC-based menu paired with wines from CedarCreek Estate Winery.

Among the dishes featuring local ingredients are crab brioche, Fraser Valley duck breast, and veal with foie gras, rutabaga, sage, and anchovy. More info can be found here.

Viva Lombardy, Ventoux Tour de Feast, Black Hills in the Park, the King of Madiran: there are several other dinners, lunches, and brunches on offer.

See the wine fest website for more information.