The Wine World Returns

It is nearly time for the 36th annual
Vancouver International Wine Festival. 

It's a time of camaraderie and education and of swirling, sipping (often spitting), mingling and happily munching.

This year I am thrilled to note, the theme country is France. I'm perhaps even more delighted to comment upon the global focus - bubbly!

That's a lot of wine!

This year, in addition to some decadent dinners, seminars, grazing events and minglers, lunches and brunches the festival has lined up an international array of "Vine Stars" - the celebrities of the wine world, if you will. These are some of the principals in attendance; winemakers, winery owners, ambassadors and visionaries.

►For a look at the interactive Festival at a Glance (including all sold out events) link here

Guide: For those attending the International Festival Tasting, Thursday 27th, Friday 28th, Saturday March 1st

WineDiva recommends visiting these French producers and tasting these wines:

Alsace

Bordeaux

Burgundy

Champagne

Loire

Rhone

Southern France                                                                                

~From the press release

Theme Country "Vine Stars" - France

Michel Chapoutier
Winemaker, M. Chapoutier.

Known as a risk taker, Michel Chapoutier brings a passionate new approach to winemaking, focusing his efforts to shine a spotlight on terroir.

The Chapoutier family has worked in the Rhône Valley since 1808, evolving the business from growing grapes to making their own wine. Michel now owns the largest vineyard on the hill of Hermitage and also makes wines in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, Alsace and Portugal.

Meet Michel Chapoutier in: 

Rhône Perfection: M. Chapoutier

Wine Tour de France

Meet Your Match

Insatiable Rhône (at Hawksworth restaurant, with chef David Hawksworth)

 

Etienne Hugel
Proprietor, Hugel et Fils

Etienne represents the 12th generation of his family to run the legendary Hugel et Fils estate in Alsace. Hans Ulrich Hugel founded the winery in 1639, and his descendants now proudly produce high quality white wines and Pinot Noir on the Riquewihr estate. Etienne believes that the power of wine reaches beyond just sipping and spitting, smelling and savouring; he feels strongly that wines create memories and friendships, and are an opportunity to

bridge cultures and languages.
Meet Etienne Hugel in:                                                                            

What you need to know before attending the International Festival Tasting Room! Here

What’s Trending in France? masterclass
Iconic French Wines

France: Find Your Style
 

Thomas Perrin
Owner, Famille Perrin

The Perrin family has worked their land in the southern Rhône for six generations, and the family members collaborate to oversee all aspects of wine production. The grapes are grown without chemicals, and weeding is done naturally by hand or plough. The result is a low but organic yield of fruit that, through these natural methods of survival, produces wines that epitomize the meaning of terroir.

Meet Thomas Perrin in:

The Birthplace of Terroir masterclass

Iconic French Wines

11th Annual Awards Lunch

Meet Your Match

Salut Château Beaucastel (Dinner at Bistro Pastis with proprietor John Blakeley)

 

Sigfried Pic
International Export Director, Maison Louis Jadot

Maison Louis Jadot is internationally famous as one of the finest Burgundy houses in the world. Using little intervention in the winemaking process, the estate produces fine wines with grapes from Burgundy and the Côte d’Or. Export manager Sigfried Pic explains how the winery highlights terroir while retaining quality and consistency in each and every bottle.

Meet Sigfried Pic in:

Wine 305 Advanced Burgundy

The Birthplace of Terroir masterclass

Iconic French Wines

We Say Bourgogne

France: Find Your Style

Nothing But Burgundy (Dinner at Le Crocodile with chef Michel Jacob)

 

Christian Seely
Managing Director, AXA Millésimes; President, Compagnie Médocaine

Christian has proven himself to have the Midas touch with

vineyards, seeking out estates with unfulfilled potential and turning them into high-performing properties. Christian is passionate about his work, and is constantly on the prowl for undervalued vineyards to welcome into the family. As a result of Christian’s efforts, the AXA Millésimes portfolio now includes estates around the world.

Meet Christian Seely in:

Renaissance of a Top Château

 

Clovis Taittinger
Export Manager/Family Member, Champagne Taittinger

Representing the Taittinger family at VanWineFest, export manager Clovis Taittanger focuses on suppliers and maintaining business relationships worldwide. The estate, which encompasses over 750 acres, has produced champagne for generations. The signature Taittinger style is known the world over for using a higher proportion of Chardonnay than other Champagne houses.

Meet Clovis Taittinger in:

Wine Tour de France

All about Bubbly!                                                                                                                          

Want to know what to taste in the International Festival Tasting Room? Check it out here

Iconic French Wines

L’Instant Taittinger (Dinner at West with chef Quang Dang)

 

Philippe Zinck

Winemaker/Proprietor, Domaine Zinck Vins d’Alsace

Striking a subtle balance between traditional small-scale methods and new wine-growing and

making techniques, Philippe Zinck has brought international recognition to his family’s Zinck winery. Exported to over 20 countries,

Philippe’s award-winning wines include all the Alsatian varietals, including Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewürztraminer, as well as a selection of Grand Crus and Crémant wines.

Meet Philippe Zinck in:

The Birthplace of Terroir masterclass

Wine Tour de France

France Bubbly Party
 

Rest of the World  "Vine Stars"

 

Joe Giusti

Owner, Giusti Prosecco

The Giusti estate in the Eastern Veneto region of Italy is renowned for its production of traditional Prosecco.
 

Matt Mavety

Winemaker, Blue Mountain

As a member of a family run winery in the Okanagan Valley, Matt Mavety grew up in the vineyards, beginning in earnest

when he was 14. The Mavetys uses only grapes grown on their picturesque estate to produce their wine.

 

Jak Meyer

Proprietor/Winemaker, Meyer Family Vineyards

Jak and his partner Janice Stevens left behind successful business careers to pursue their passion in winemaking.

 

Barone Francesco Ricasoli
President, Barone Ricasoli

Barone Ricasoli is the oldest winery in Italy, and is one of the oldest businesses in the world to remain in one

location; it has been synonymous with wine since 1141. 


Follow @TheWineDiva during the VIWF as I tweet my findings and taste my way around the wine world.