Westman Wine Festival offers delights for every palate

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/10/2018 (2516 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Editor’s note: This column was originally slated to run on Oct. 12. It has been updated for today’s publication. We regret the error.

What a treat we’re in for!

Today, Friday, Oct. 19, is the 16th annual Rotary Westman Wine Festival public tasting. Our celebration of the fermented fruit of the vine has grown at lot in size and scope since it began, and this year’s event boasts 28 tables, almost all of which will be pouring four wines.

It’s an intense three hours — it starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. and will be in the Imperial Ballroom at the Victoria Inn — and it’s always fun. For the ticket price of $34.95 — and tickets are available at all Brandon Liquor Marts — you have the opportunity to sample more than 100 wines, although attempting to try them all would be folly, as I’ve said in this space many times before.

So here are some tables I think you should be sure to visit and some wines I think you’d be well-advised to try. But it’s also advisable to do some experimenting on your own, too. Who knows what you’ll discover!

Oh, and if you like something specific, such as sweet red wine, tell the pourers at the tables — most of them are wine reps who know their products inside out, and can tell you if their wares match your preference. That’s another way to make good use of your time at the Wine Festival. If you have very particular tastes, don’t spend precious minutes trying something you know you’re going to dislike. Although again, one of the tables may have just what you’re looking for, even though you didn’t know you were looking for it!

If you’re looking for bargains, hit Table 1, where you’ll be surprised by the Black Cellar Pinot Grigio Blend and the Black Cellar Malbec/Merlot blend. These are exceedingly well priced at Liquor Marts, and can be the answer to many situations — a single glass at a time, or trying to please a crowd and not break that bank.

At Table 2, be sure to try the lovely Adorada Rosé ($19.99) and the stunning 1000 Stories Zinfandel, which sells for $29.99 at Liquor Marts. See for yourself why it’s sometimes worth it to spend that kind of money for a wine.

At Table 3, you’re in for another treat — the Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile, the Bonterra Cab from California, and my favourite Malbec, the Trivento Gold Reserve. Each of these is more than worthy of note, and certainly must-tastes at the Festival.

The Benjamin Bridge products at Table 4 are worth a try — they’re from Nova Soctia and very pleasant. At Table 5, all the products — the Summerhill Alive Organic White and Red from B.C., and the J. Lohr Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from California would be great to sample. All the products at Table 6 — Fresita from Chile, the Wakefield Riesling and Cabernet from Australia, and the Santa Julia Reserve Malbec from Chile — are also solid choices.

Table 7 boasts the Ultimate Longshot wines from California, which I’ve been raving about because of the price point for the last couple of months. All three — the Chard, the Pinot Grigio and the Cabernet — sell for $13.99 and are tremendous bargains.

I’m only familiar with one of the products being poured at Table 8 — the Masi Bonacosta Valpolicello from Italy, which is fabulous — but I’m betting all the wines being poured at that booth are worth a sip. Same goes for the products at Table 10, especially if you like wines from Spain. And I do!

I urge you to try the products at Tables 11 and 12. They run the gamut from sweet to dry, inexpensive to somewhat pricy — be sure to try the Heartland Spice Trader Cabernet and the Heartland Shiraz, as well as the other wines being pouring.

At Table 13, get a sip of the Anciano 7-Year-Old Gran Reserva Tempranillo. At 14, taste the Mission Hill 5 Vineyards Pinot Grigio from B.C., and the Gabbiano Dark Knight from Italy.

If you like to support local winemakers and try some truly unusual products, have a taste of all that Rigby Orchards of Manitoba has to offer at Table 17.

At Table 19, be sure to try the marvellous Bottega products — the Gold, the Rose Gold, the Pinot Grigio Rose from Italy — and the Australian De Bortoli Woodfired Shiraz.

Among other things, Table 21 will be pouring the Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Shiraz and the Campo Viejo Tempranillo, both from Australia. Make sure to give at least these two a try.

Seek out the Trapiche Medalla Malbec at Table 22, and taste The Plan Chardonnay and The Plan Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as the Ferreira Dona Antonio Reserva Porto, at Table 24. And give all the offerings at Table 25 and Table 27 a shot. A wide variety of wines is at those booths — sweet, dry, white, red — they’ve got a bit of everything going on.

So here’s to the 2018 Westman Wine Festival. Happy tasting, everyone!