Vancouver International Wine Fest is an ideal one-stop destination for trying new grapes, styles, and regions

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      The Vancouver International Wine Festival, running February 20 to 28, is still a number of weeks away, but with events already selling out, it’s time to start making plans.

      Of course, the big can’t-miss event is the International Festival Tasting, running Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings with a matinee happening Saturday afternoon. There, 156 wineries from 14 countries will be pouring over 700 wines.

      It’s become one of the largest and longest-running wine festivals in the world. There’s certainly no better one-stop destination in the country when it comes to exploring the world of wine and trying new grapes, styles, and regions—hopefully, discovering many new favourites in the process.

      It’s definitely not the place for sticking with what’s familiar; the first table I’ll be making a beeline for is that of Gruet Winery, a highly acclaimed sparkling house from New Mexico, a wine region I’ll be experiencing for the first time in my life.

      Italy is the festival’s theme this year, with 60 wineries representing many of the country’s wine regions. If splashing into Barolos, Chiantis, Amarones, Proseccos, and a multitude of indigenous grape varieties sounds like your thing, I’d recommend nabbing tickets to February 27’s Taste ITALIA! event.

      This walk-around, grazing affair is a calm, cool, and collected focus on all of the participating Italian wineries, with principals pouring wines to accompany nibbles like fennel sausage, chicken, and green lentil bollito misto with salsa verde, and prosciutto-wrapped tuna with clams, fennel, and olives.

      It’s calmer than the big tasting room; you’ll get more face time with producers and not have to jostle as many elbows to do so.

      Winery dinners will be taking place all over the city, but at the top of my wish list is From Bubbles to Passito, happening February 23 at Vij’s Restaurant. Giusti Wine from the Veneto will be pouring 10 of its wines, from vintage Prosecco and Chardonnay to Valpolicella Ripasso and Amarone.

      I think it goes without saying that with Vikram Vij at the helm, the food going with ’em will be phenomenal. I’d imagine this one will sell out sooner rather than later.

      Perhaps you’re looking for something a little more casual? That same evening, Spumante & Co. is taking place at Gastown’s Inform Interiors. It’s a lounge party featuring 22 different Italian sparkling wines with bites provided by Dirty Apron Catering—just ensure you don’t imbibe a little too much and wake up to realize you’ve accidentally bought a sofa!

      As mentioned, things are selling out quickly, so head to the Vancouver International Wine Fest website to get info on all the events and order tickets.

      In the meantime, a couple of wines that recently knocked my socks off…

      Château d’Arlay 2009 Côtes du Jura Corail is a remarkable wine hailing from the Jura region of France and composed of Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Savagnin, the latter two varieties being white, but cofermented with the three red grapes.

      After 10 days macerating with the skins, the wine was aged in old oak barrels for three years, which offers a little structural framework without bringing an overly oaky flavour. The wine straddles the line between heavy rosé and lighter red; where it really sings is in its expression of regional terroir.

      Elements of clay and concrete that come courtesy of limestone, clay, and marl in the soil are front and centre, with juicy echoes of sarsaparilla, cola, blood orange, and red plum rounding things out. Served with a slight chill, it’s bright, cheery, and quite an uncommon style. At around 50 bucks, it’s currently available at Kitsilano Wine Cellar, and I’ve just gotten word it’ll be on shelves at West Vancouver’s Village Liquor Store by month’s end.

      Here’s another soil-influenced wine that recently impressed. It’s both much easier on the wallet and easy to track down: Chile’s Errazuriz Max Reserva Syrah, found in the majority of B.C. Liquor Stores for $17.49. We’re currently on the 2013 vintage, with 2014 about to move into stores; both vintages carry an abundance of black fruit along with fresh-ground pepper, toasty oak, and mighty delicious lightly charred steak flavours.

      That last note acts as your food-pairing recommendation as well. Coming from the ancient volcanic soils of the Aconcagua Valley, a thread of earthiness permeates all of those lovely flavours mentioned above, making for a well-balanced, highly quaffable wine. At less than $20, it’s a solid-value wine that punches well above its weight.

      Finally, if you made a New Year’s resolution to learn a little more about wine, the Art Institute of Vancouver is offering the Wine and Spirit Education Trust Level 1 Award course as a one-day session on February 20 for $328. Think of it as solid cramming before the wine festival. Head to the Wine College website for more information.

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