Although the Vancouver wine festival is a great celebration, and it allows you to drink and try so many different types of wine, in various bottles, all under one roof; I do prefer smaller scale tastings. Less wines in a more curated space, where you can really hone in on one specific county or region, and learn more about what they specialize in. And on this occasion it was all about Italian wines with Gambero Rosso.
After five years, Gambero Rosso returns to Vancouver to showcase the Best Italian Wines.
We would go into Italy’s topography and its vineyards, while discovering great varietals I’ve never heard of before, from wineries I did not know existed.
I attended the wine and food trade and media showing, early afternoon. Ascending to the top of Vancouver’s lookout to do so. The view is only enhanced by the amount of wine flowing.
As guests checked in they are given Gambero Rosso branded pouches and disposable spit cup. The latter fit into the former for easy, hands free carrying. As one hand will be holding your wine glass for sampling, and the other your samples of food from Italian importers to go with it.
From this there were freshly sliced prosciutto with olives.
And parma you could chip away at from a full wheel.
But by far, the most memorable foodstuff was the savoury panettone from Antise Bakery, gere in Vancouver. They prepared a guancile and caciocavallo panettone in celebration of upcoming Father’s Day. Deliciously sweet dough with bits of salty meat and cheese, great as is, and even more indulgent when topped with luscious salted cream. So good that I tried to buy a box on the spot, but was denied.
Attendees were invited to explore the whole of the space, with all the wine action packed in tight, to ensure every vender was given a window view. You visit from table to table with glass out, asking for a taster. Water wash jugs and pour out buckets were at the ready for you to self prescribe.
As I pushed my way through the crowd, I sampled from the tables with no traffic. The goal was to discover something new and find what I love. To be able to turn around and purchase a bottle or order a glass when I am in a pinch.
As taken from the website, this is a “showcase of 33 Italian wine producers featuring more than 120 wines from the most important wine production regions of Italy.”
There was a lot to discover at this walk around tasting, an event co-hosted with the Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver and in collaboration with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Western Canada.
We were given the unique opportunity to taste an incredible variety of highly rated wines, as well as to meet the winemakers that brought them to life. There is no better way to experience the biodiversity of Italian wines than in this causal setting.
I invite you to take note of the memorable sips I had through photos, and suggest you check out the link below for all future Italian Chamber of Commerce in Western Canada events, as to not miss another extraordinary tasting atop of Vancouver.
