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Wine festival tasting strategies
With one of the largest and most recognized international wine festivals in North America, Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, happening this week in Vancouver, we decided to put together a few tips on how to make the most of your tasting time. It's practically impossible to try every single wine in one tasting, which usually lasts about three hours. There's just so much wine, so many people and so little time! These wine festival mass tastings require a strategy. Below are some strategies that Bruce Mathisen, our product research editor, suggests:
| 1. | Taste the wines from the featured country. This year's featured country at the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival is Chile and there are 26 producers pouring at the festival. There will frequently be some wines that are only available during the festival and some special bottlings that you really don't want to miss. |
| 2. | Taste just one grape variety. This will give you some insights into international styles and will further define your preferences. |
| 3. | Get and read the program ahead of time and circle the wines that you definitely want to taste. You can download the brochure/program from the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival Web site at www.playhousewinefest.com. Also, remember that the floor is set out in alphabetical order, so you can plan your route. |
Apart from tasting strategy, there are some do's and dont's that should be observed.
Do spit
The last thing you need is too much wine.
Do wear dark clothing.
Wine, especially red wine, has a propensity for light clothing and it will be spilled.
Don't wear perfume or cologne. You are there to smell the wine.
Do turn off your phone.
Don't drive. Even with spitting, you are going to absorb alcohol. Take transit, a cab or avail yourself of the Safe Ride Home program, but don't drive. Or if you're really into making it a special event, you can book a room in the hotel and stay the night.
Have a safe and enjoyable tasting.
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