This Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11, the Prince Edward Island Liquor Control Commission will hold its 11th annual Wine Festival at the Charlottetown Civic Centre. Tasting sessions will take place Friday and Saturday from 7:00 -10:00p.m. More than 165 wines from some of the leading wine producing regions of the world will be poured and available at the Wine Boutique on site.
If you are attending the wine festival for the first time, here are a few suggestions that may help you enjoy the Festival to the fullest. In a room of so many new wines, a “taste as many as you can” strategy simply does not work. A group of four to six people is ideal for tasting of this size, because they can separate into groups of two to three, each with assigned wines to taste. After the first hour, you might wish to meet at an appointed table and offer your recommendations. This works well if you select people who are fond of one varietal wine and can scout the room for the best Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, or Shiraz. You may be in charge of Shiraz for your group but a friendly wine agent may offer you another white wine available only at this Festival.
Before You Go
Eat a good carbohydrate -laden meal, nothing too spicy because you will need your taste buds to work for you. Since you will be standing for at least three hours, it may be more practical to wear comfortable footwear. Remember you will be clutching a wine glass and a program, take that into consideration.
If you enjoy wines or would like to know more about wines, then the Wine Festival this weekend at the Civic Centre, this Friday and Saturday is the place to be.