Wine Basics - three wine festivals: March, April, May, 2001 - Brief Article

Flower & Garden Magazine, Jan, 2001 by Jonathan Prebich

Good wine, friendly people and a wonderful atmosphere--in a nutshell, that sums up the wine festival experience. Wine festivals are an exciting way to meet new friends and taste the latest varieties or old favorites.

My first encounter with a wine festival was a few years ago in Napa, California. To say I had a great time would be an understatement. I tasted fine wines, sampled Fabulous food and felt like a true wine connoisseur for the entire weekend.

Listed below are a few wine festivals across the country for 2001. Please phone ahead to confirm dates and investigate any attendance fees. See you there.

* MARCH 9-11

Colorado Springs Dance Theatre 10th Annual Wine Festival--Colorado Springs' longest running and most comprehensive wine festival offers an elegant foray into the world of wines for the beginner or the aficionado alike. Grand tasting, seminars, a gourmet winemaker's dinner and a live auction highlight this special event. For more information please phone 719.473.8613.

* APRIL 2-8

23rd Annual Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival--Spain will be the highlight for this year's event. The guest speaker for the weeklong celebration will be Jeremy Watson, a leading expert on Spanish wines. Whether you are an experienced wine drinker or a casual connoisseur, the 2001 festival has something to please every palate and every pocketbook. Specialty tastings, education seminars, wine and food pairing experiences and winemakers' dinners are just some of the wonderful treats to savor. Please phone 604.872.6622 for more information.

* MAY 17-20

The Fifth Annual Nantucket Wine Festival--A myriad of activities are planned as part of this event-rich weekend. Sample some of the finest wines from numerous viticultural areas as presented by their winemakers or representatives. The grand tasting, great wine in grand houses, winery dinners and much more will be available to all. Pre-registration is required for all events. For a grand time, please phone 508.228.1128 for details.