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The wine world has arrived in Vancouver for the 37th Annual Vancouver International Wine Festival, on now through March 1. Headlined by a 55-winery contingent from theme country Australia, VIWF features 170 wineries from 14 countries participating in 53 events across the city.

Here’s a sneak peek at last night’s launch party held at Joey’s Wine Room downtown.


Each year, the festival offers an incredible opportunity for wine lovers to immerse themselves in the world of wine, discover new wines, wineries and wine-producing regions, and learn more about what’s happening globally through educational tastings and seminars. The spotlight is on Australia, with the festival offering the most comprehensive exploration of Australian wine undertaken in North America since 2007.

Ring bolt Cabernet sauvignon

“We are excited to share the ‘history, evolution and revolution’ of Australian winemaking with festival goers,” says Mark Davidson, Global Education Manager, Wine Australia. “Our seminars and tastings will take members of the public and trade through Australia’s 200-year winemaking history; its regional, style and variety evolution; and the innovative techniques being used that are shaping the wine trends of tomorrow.”

Flavours of the Festival/Wirra Wirra Church Block 2010

Tickets are going fast, but there are still several events available that will take wine lovers on an epicurean journey across Australia.

Minted lamb kofka skewers, dill yogurt

The Savour Australia Lounge Party
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 8:30 to 10:30 pm
Venue: 130 West (Loungeworks Space), 130 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Tickets: $65
The Savour Australia Lounge Party’s a great way to get a first taste of what today’s Australian wines are all about. Each of the 20 participating wineries will be pouring two wines – one sultry Shiraz and one sophisticated white. Add a mouth-watering selection of small bites prepared by Dirty Apron Catering (including Kangaroo Sliders and Mini Truffle Meat Pies), swinging lounge tunes, and some of the most personable wine producers in the world for a tantalizing Aussie evening.

Wyndham Estate Chardonnay 2010

Geological Gems
Date: Friday, February 27, 5:15 to 6:45 pm
Venue: Vancouver Convention Centre West, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
Tickets: $55
Geological Gems digs deep into how geology affects Australian wines. Mark Davidson leads a panel of top vine stars on an exploration of the effects of intense Terra Rossa soils, ancient sand deposits, and prehistoric beds of slate and limestone.

Mod Oz
Date: Saturday, February 28, 5:15 to 6:45 pm
Venue: Vancouver Convention Centre West, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
Tickets: $45
Mod Oz is the perfect seminar for those wanting to expand their wine horizons and experience the adventurous spirit of Australian wines. Discover alternative and Mediterranean varietals (Gruner Veltliner, Sangiovese, Touriga), contemporary examples of traditional varieties (Tasmanian Pinot Noir), and unusual and innovative winemaking techniques emerging in Australia today.

Wines of Portugal Seminar at Wildebeest-10

McLaren Vale Scarce Earth
Date: Saturday, February 28, 5:15 to 6:45 pm
Venue: Vancouver Convention Centre West, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
Tickets: $55
Looking to learn more about one of Australia’s iconic wine regions? McLaren Vale Scarce Earth examines single vineyard Shiraz from different geologies, soils, elevations and sustainable viticultural practices. Rhys Pender MW leads an exploration of the diversity of McLaren Vale, one of the most geologically complex wine regions in the world.

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The Savour Australia section of the Acura International Festival Tasting Room is a great place to discover wines from 14 Australian regions. In addition to the 55 Australian wineries (35% new to the festival), there will be a central tasting station, where festival goers can take a Shiraz journey through South Australia, linger at tasting stations themed around cool-climate wines, and try their hand at identifying aromas and faults in wine with the Australian Wine Research Institute.

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The Saturday evening International Festival Tasting is sold out, but there are still tickets remaining for Thursday, February 26, 7 to 10 pm, Friday, February 27, 7 to 10 pm, and Saturday, February 28, 3 to 5 pm.

The festival coincides with Shiraz Week (February 21 to March 1), a perfect pairing with the global focus on Syrah and Shiraz. The Acura Tasting Room will be one of the best places in the world to try the full range of Australian Shiraz (as well as examples from other countries) on Global Shiraz Day, Friday, February 27.

Lucky Penny White 2010 (65% Chardonnay)

Tickets are available online, via phone (604.837.3311; toll free 1.877.321.3121), and in person at the box office open from Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 5 pm, 305–456 West Broadway, Vancouver
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Get social!

Facebook: VanWineFest
Twitter: @VanWineFest ~ Join the conversation using hashtags #VIWF + #SavourAustralia


International Festival Tasting 2013/Bard on the Beach costumes

For full program details, visit VanWineFest.ca and click on the interactive Festival at a Glance to learn more about each event or download the brochure. Net proceeds support VanWineFest’s charitable partner, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival.

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