February 2020
Climate Change Symposium
Climate change is real, and the wine world is being forced to adapt. Discover what vineyard managers, winery owners and winemakers are doing to address this serious issue. What are winery partners doing to reduce our carbon footprint? What will we be drinking in the future? Moderator: Michelle Bouffard Panelists: Richard Angove, Felicity Carter, Pierre Corvisier, Michael Fagin, Katie Jackson, Lenz Moser
Find out more »Languedoc with Gérard Bertrand
The Quest for Excellence Masterclass: With 15 estates with exemplary terroirs, Gérard Bertrand is the ambassador of the fine wines of Languedoc-Roussillon around the world. He has defended the wealth of his land with passion and enthusiasm for over 30 years while respecting biodiversity. Moderator: Anthony Gismondi Panelist: Gérard Bertrand Sponsored by Gérard Bertrand Featured wines: Clos du Temple Rose 2018 Domaine de L’Aigle Chardonnay 2018 Chateau l’Hospitalet Grand Vin Blanc 2018 Cigalus Blanc 2018 Domaine de Villemajou Rouge 2017…
Find out more »Keynote Speaker Lunch
Keynote Speaker Andrew Jefford will address climate-change perspectives, underlining the uncertainties and challenges which lie ahead. Using French examples, he observes that vineyard change has been incessant though history; these changes offer opportunities as well as posing challenges. What are France’s long-term lessons for ambitious growers in new vineyard regions such as those of BC and of Canada more generally? Sponsored by the participating wineries Featured wines: Angove Family Winemakers Warboys Single Vineyard McLaren Vale Shiraz 2017 Culmina Family Estate…
Find out more »Discover Canadian Pinot Noir
Join wine educator, Rhys Pender, MW, for a deep dive into Canadian Pinot Noir with a focus on four regions. Experience the depth and breadth of Pinot styles from British Columbia and Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. Moderator: Rhys Pender MW Panelists: Charlie Baessler, Janet Dorozynski, Eugene Mlynczyk MW, Julian Scholefield, Dwight Sick, Chris Turyk, Taylor Whelan Sponsored by Wines of Canada, Wines of British Columbia, Wines of Nova Scotia and participating wineries. Featured wines: Quebec: Vignoble du Domaine St-Jacques…
Find out more »BC: No Place Like It
Tour BC’s diverse wine regions from coast to desert and find out why our styles vary from light and delicate to ripe and powerful. Celebrating 30 years of BC VQA, join MW Barbara Philip and a panel of BC winemakers as they provide a glimpse into the modern wine industry and why there’s no place like BC. Moderator: Barbara Philip MW Panelists: Stefan Arnason, Ross Baker, Michael Clark, JAK Meyer, Heleen Pannekoek, Caroline Shaller, John Skinner, Chris Turyk Sponsored by…
Find out more »Vin Tour de France
A vinous journey around France featuring “Cru”-level wines. Iconic producers will guide trade attendees through the country’s storied regions, each with their own unique characteristics and history. Moderators: Andrew Jefford, Jon Bonné Panelists: Marcel Combes, Laurent Drouhin, Bernard Duseigneur, Michel Gassier, Jean Frédéric Hugel, Adrien Laurent, Clovis Taittinger Sponsored by the participating wineries Featured wines: Hugel & Fils Estate Riesling 2016 Boisset Effervescence Louis Bouillot Grands Terroirs Les 3 Saints Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2010 Maison…
Find out more »Trade Tasting, presented by ContainerWorld – Thursday
The Trade Tasting, presented by ContainerWorld, is the best opportunity to explore the Tasting Room with your industry peers. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet wine producers from around the world, to taste rare wines, and perhaps to discover the next big thing in the industry. Trade Buyers Entry (1:30-2:30 p.m) The first hour in the room (1:30-2:30 pm) is reserved for trade buyers and executive chefs only, providing the time and freedom to taste wines and connect with…
Find out more »Blind Tasting Journey: France
WSET Masterclass Though France is not geographically large, its breadth of wine styles rivals any in the winemaking world because of its wealth of varying climates. We’ll blind taste cool, moderate and warm climate wines from across France and discuss how climactic differences shape the country’s distinct and diverse wines. Panelists: Julie Albin, Keith Nicholson, Lara Victoria Sponsored by WSET Participating Wineries: Vignobles Alain Brumont M. Chapoutier Fortant de France François Martenot Les Vins Georges Duboeuf Maison Joseph Drouhin Louis…
Find out more »Natural Wine, WTF?
The 2020 “Truth in Terroir” forum will focus on the world of minimal-intervention, or "natural," wines. What does this mean in the vineyard, and in the winery? How does natural differ from organic or biodynamic? Is this a bold new market, or just another fad? Winemakers on both sides of the natural scales will join us to discuss. Moderator: Jon Bonné, Pier-Alexis Soulière Panelists: Michael Bartier, Antonella Bronca, Julien Dugas, Matt Dumayne, Bernard Duseigneur, Daniel Grace, Brent Rowland, Andrew Windsor…
Find out more »Emilia-Romagna’s Native Grapes
One of Italy’s greatest assets is its wealth of unique indigenous varieties, and Emilia-Romagna is no exception. Discover Emilia’s Lambrusco family of grapes, Romagna’s Sangiovese and Albana, as well as Malvasia di Candia and Uva Longanesi, while enjoying a samples of Emilia-Romagna’s rich culinary specialties. Moderator: Jenna Briscoe Panelists: Daniela Facciani, Ermes Scardova Sponsored by Enoteca Regionale Emilia Romagna and Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada West Featured wines: Chiara Condello Le Lucciole 2015 Medici Ermete Quercioli Lambrusco Sorbara NV…
Find out more »Celebrating Excellence: 17th Annual Awards Lunch Featuring France, presented by ContainerWorld
Discover exciting French wines worthy of the best wine lists in the city. This awards ceremony includes the presentation of the Wine Program Excellence Awards, Sommelier of the Year and Spirited Industry Professional (SIP) Award. Emcee: Sophie Lui, Global BC Anchor Menu: Artisan French breads Pissaladière with onions and anchovies Green asparagus Mimosa • gf ve Salad verte with a Champagne vinaigrette • ve gf Mini quiche Lorraine Albacore tuna Nicoise • gf df Brome Lake Duck rillettes with crostinis…
Find out more »Trade Tasting, presented by ContainerWorld – Friday
The Trade Tasting, presented by ContainerWorld, is the best opportunity to explore the Tasting Room with your industry peers. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet wine producers from around the world, to taste rare wines, and perhaps to discover the next big thing in the industry. Trade Buyers Entry (1:30-2:30 p.m) The first hour in the room (1:30-2:30 pm) is reserved for trade buyers and executive chefs only, providing the time and freedom to taste wines and connect with…
Find out more »April 2023
Does BC Have a Wine Identity?
A panel of esteemed academics and industry leaders will guide a tasting of BC and international wines to generate phrases and descriptors that evoke the wine’s typicity and regional identity. Wine is a cultural product representing a place of origin. What can BC learn from the world’s iconic regions? Does BC have or need a unified wine identity? What does the future hold for BC’s wine image globally? Learn more about BC's wine territory identity. In partnership with UBC Wine…
Find out more »Keynote Speaker Lunch Featuring Evan Goldstein MS
Bridging the morning and afternoon discussions, Evan Goldstein MS will explore the importance - and the evolving role - of place in wine in this year's keynote speech. An internationally recognized authority and educator, Goldstein is a born teacher who has dedicated his adult life to introducing and sharing with others his passion for wine. One of just 269 Master Sommeliers worldwide, Goldstein has authored four books, and co-authored several more. He is also a Founding Board Member of the…
Find out more »Defining the Root of BC Terroir
This masterclass features 11 British Columbia wines from across the province. Panelists will take a deeper dive into the unique growing conditions of each region’s distinct terroir. The discussion will touch on what BC winegrowers are doing in the face of climate change to continue making exciting quality wines with a sense of place, from terroir that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Moderators: Maude Renaud-Brisson; Christina Hartigan Panelists: Charlie Baessler, Garron Elmes, Jim Faulkner, Richard Kanazawa, Michael…
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