The Vancouver International Wine Festival came to a close this past weekend. The VIWF is arguably one of the biggest festivals that happen here in Vancouver and this year, I was invited to come and experience a couple events.

The VIWF celebrated it’s 39th year and in celebration of it’s 150th birthday, Canada was the feature this year. With over 180 wineries from 16 countries, the festival is the best way to learn about new wines and try different wines from around the world.

vancouver international wine festival 2017

I made a video on some of the highlights and some tips for surviving the festival if it’s your first time or your tenth time, so be sure to check it out here:

Some fun facts on BC as a wine region: 

1) There are over 270 wineries that span from Vancouver Island, Fraser Valley and up into the Okanagan Valley.

2) The Okanagan is famously known as a wine destination.

3) You’ll find quite a range of different varietals like pinot gris, chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz.

vancouver international wine festival 2017
There was also Sake at the VIWF and it was glorious. Highly recommend it!

Mostly, I get asked what kind of wines I enjoy and I thought I’d share some of my wine recommendations here. I found some new and great wines during the Wine Festival and I highly suggest you check it out next year, as you’ll learn so much and taste the differences between the regions where wines are made. Without further ado, here are my recommendations based on what I tasted, what I normally have in my rotation at home and bottles that are under $35:

BC:

1. Gold Hill Chardonnay – $23.99

2. Haywire Sparkling Rose – $24.99

3. Mission Hill Terroir Collection No. 29 Bluebird Passage Viognier 2015 – $30

4. Tantalus Pinot Noir 2014 – $27.99

5. Poplar Grove Pinot Gris 2015 – $17.99

6. Tinhorn Creek Pinot Noir 2013 – $19.99

International:

1. Terroir Hunter Pinot Noir 2013 (Chile) – $26.99

2.  Schloss Reinhartshausen Riesling (Germany) – $22.99

3. Alpha Box & Dice Tarot Grenache 2015 (Australia) – $24.99

4. Castilla Y Leon Tempranillo Triton Tridente 2013/14 (Spain) – $23.49

5. Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc 2015 (New Zealand) – $15.49

6. Wolfberger Pinot Gris 2014 (France) – $22.99

For more information on the Vancouver International Wine Festival, check out their website here: http://vanwinefest.ca/

Next year’s regional theme is Spain and Portugal!