Oenophiles, wine enthusiasts and those who simply enjoy a glass and want to experience more of what the wide world of wine has to offer, take note: Calgary Winefest is back.
Whether you’re the type who can decipher the difference between vintages of the same wine or someone who couldn’t decipher a Riesling from a Gewurtz, there will be something for every taste as wine reps will be pouring some 321 wines from more than 78 wineries around the world.
From red and white wines to ports and sparkling options, there will be plenty to tipple and experts will be on hand to answer questions and share their knowledge
A ticket to the festival, now in its 25th year, gets you all the sips and samples you want — no need to buy coupons once in the door — plus a keepsake glass. Besides wine, nibbles from Luc’s European Meats, Terra International Foods, Springbank Cheese Co., Master Chocolat and more will be on hand.
You’ll have a chance to find your favourite bottles in the onsite Sobeys Liquor/Safeway Wine and Spirits store and casting a vote in the People’s Choice Awards gives you a chance to win a $100 gift card to those stores.
Guests are being encouraged to bring along a monetary or non-perishable food item as a donation to the Calgary Food Bank. Winefest will donate a further 25 per cent of monetary donations and contribute a loonie for every pound of food.
Winefest runs Friday, Feb. 24 and 25 at Stampede Park BMO Centre, Hall E. Tickets are $89 for Friday night, 7 to 10 p.m.; Tickets for the Saturday afternoon session, 2 to 5 p.m., are $84 each. (The Saturday night portion is sold out.)
For more information and to buy tickets, head to Celebratewinefest.com.
Or take your chances in our draw.
TheYYScene has a pair of tickets up for grabs for the Saturday afternoon session. To win, just “like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and message or tweet us your favourite type of wine.
We’ll let the winner know by whatever means they entered by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23rd.
Gwendolyn Richards is a Calgary-based food writer and the author of Pucker: A Cookbook for Citrus Lovers. She regularly contributes to Avenue magazine, the Calgary Herald and is the restaurant writer for Where Calgary. She never turns down a glass of rose champagne.
