Santé, Vancouver International Wine Festival 2020

Screen Shot 2014-01-05 at 3.01.23 PMWe recently attended a grand tasting at the annual Vancouver International Wine Festival, and had a fantastic time. This year’s focus was on France, with 42 wineries representing the country’s diverse wine regions. In total, 162 wineries from 16 countries poured at 57 events over the eight-day festival. Consequently, about 1,450 wines were shared with 25,000 participants.

Meanwhile, the International Festival Tasting Room formed the heart of the event, where some 780 wines were available for sampling at the grand tastings. Read on for some favorites.

“The Wine World is Here”

This was our first time at Vancouver International Wine Festival. However, our friends, Chuck and Rita Kinzer, and Layne and Donna Boyce, have attended four times. So they were perfect guides to help us wind our way through the aisles representing wine regions around the world. After lots of swirls and sips, these are our favorites.

Chateau Beau-Site Cru BourgeoisOur Favorite Reds

  • Chateau Beau-Site 2009 Cru Bourgois Saint-Estephe
  • Louis Jadot Beaune 2016 Clos Des Ursules 1er Cru
  • Corcelettes 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Black Hills Estate 2017 Nota Bene
  • Langetwins 2016 Cabernet Franc

Villa Maria Sauv Blanc 2018 Southern ClaysOur Favorite Whites

  • Villa Maria 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Southern Clays
  • Stoneleigh 2018 Latitude Sauvignon Blanc
  • Clos du Soleil 2018 Fumé Blanc

Corcelettes 2016 MeritageFavorites of Chuck and Rita Kinzer

  • Clos du Soleil 2018 Fumé Blanc
  • Michele Chiarlo 2017 Le Orme Barbera D’Asti
  • Atalaya 2018 Laya Garnacha Monastrell
  • Corcelettes 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon and Meritage
  • Langetwins 2016 Cabernet Franc
  • Astrolabe 2015 Durvillea Marlborough Pinot Noir

Carus Vini Gaudio 2015 Chianti Classico Gran SelezioneFavorites of Donna and Layne Boyce

  • Carus Vini Gaudio 2015 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
  • Maison Louis Latour 2017 Grand Cru Corton Charlemagne
  • Michel Gassier 2017 Les Halos de Jupiter Côtes du Rhône
  • Gratien & Meyer Prestige Cremant de Loire A.O.C. Rosé  NV

More Photos of the Favorites

Clos du Soleil Fume Blanc 2018Langetwins 2016 Cabernet Franc

Corcelettes 2016 Cabernet SauvignonLes Halos de Jupiter Cotes du Rhone 2017 by Michel Gassier

Summary

In conclusion, the Vancouver International Wine Festival shines because of the large variety of wines from so many different countries. We had a wonderful time with our friends, the Kinzers and Boyces, and plan to go back next year.

So, mark the dates, Feb. 20-28, 2021. The featured 2021 wine region is South America. Advance tickets go on sale on Nov. 4, 2020.

Thank you, Vancouver International Wine Festival, for inviting us as media guests.

Cheers!
Margot and Dave