Something to cheer about: Winnipeg Wine Festival’s return

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/09/2022 (1520 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For the first time since April/May 2019, the Winnipeg Wine Festival’s public tastings return to the RBC Convention Centre on Sept. 23 and 24.

The festival has sporadically held smaller events over the last couple of years as pandemic restrictions have allowed, but this is the first time the big event has returned.

And while Argentina was supposed to be the theme region for the aborted 2020 fest, which was then carried over to 2021 which was also scrapped, that plan has been shelved for this year, in part due to supply chain issues surrounding getting South American wines to North America.

Organizers are instead thinking of this year’s fest as more of a “welcome back” type event, with around 400 products from wineries based in around a dozen different countries being represented. A handful of new and festival-exclusive products will be poured, but for the most part expect familiar whites, reds, rosés and bubblies at the public tastings, which take place Friday, Sept. 23 and Saturday, Sept. 24 from 7-10 p.m., with a matinee tasting on the Saturday from 1-4 p.m.

New additions to the slightly smaller public tastings this year include the “Cloud Wine” tasting area which will feature sweeter and flavoured wines, and the “Not Ready for Fall” section which will include a few wines as well as “refreshment beverages” (think coolers and pre-mixed cocktails) and even beer. Simliarly to this year’s Flatlander’s Beer Festival, it appears the Winnipeg Wine Festival is looking to cast a wider net to appeal to a broader audience.

This year’s “WineDown” ancillary events — smaller tastings focused on a particular style or region — include “Brunch and Bubbles” on Sunday, Sept. 18 at the Delta Hotel (350 St. Mary Ave.), a California-themed tasting at the Qualico Family Centre in Assiniboine Park on Sept. 19, the “Italian Kitchen Party” at the Caboto Centre (1055 Wilkes Ave.) on Sept. 20, the French-themed “Vive le Vin” tasting at Resto Gare (630 Des Meurons St.) on Sept. 21, and the “Down Under” Australia/New Zealand tasting on Sept. 22 on the rooftop of the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

For more information and to get tickets, see winnipegwinefestival.com.

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Fall is typically the time when wine drinkers shift from light whites, sparkling wine and rosés and the like to heartier options — rustic reds, richer whites and such. With that in mind, The Common at The Forks is transitioning their wine offerings — 20 in total, sourced from private wine stores — to pours more suited for cooler temperatures.

Kelowna-based master of wine Rhys Pender is currently spearheading the selections at The Common, and returns to town on Wednesday, Sept. 21 to lead a tasting of the latest offerings at The Forks as part of their Uncommon Pours series. In addition to being a wine educator and consultant, Pender also makes wine in B.C.’s Similkameen Valley under the Little Farm label — his (excellent) wines are available in Manitoba at Ellement Wine & Spirits at The Forks. Watch for more info about tickets and the like at theforks.com or via their social media accounts.

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Another weekend, another local brewery celebrating an anniversary — this time the folks at Trans Canada Brewing Co., who will fete five years on Saturday, Sept. 17 starting at 11 a.m.

The brewery, located at 1290 Kenaston Blvd., will be offering up over 30 beers on tap, including their core pours as well as a range of seasonal and rare brews. There will be food trucks and music from locals throughout the day as well as Trans Canada’s pizzas up for grabs. The first 500 folks at the big shindig will get a fifth-anniversary edition Trans Canada toque — just in time for cooler weather.

For more info see tcb.beer or check in on their social media accounts.

uncorked@mts.net

Twitter: @bensigurdson

 

Wines of the week

Marqués de Cáceres 2021 Sauvignon Blanc (Rueda, Spain – $15.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Pale straw in colour, this Spanish Sauvignon Blanc brings green apple, melon, floral, gooseberry and grassy notes — not as intense as its New Zealand counterparts, but intriguing nonetheless. It’s light-bodied and dry, offering green apple skin, grapefruit, gooseberry and hints of orange/marmalade, while an underlying chalky note and medium acidity in this unoaked white bring verve. A great value white for late summer days. 3.5/5

Flat Roof Manor 2021 Pinot Grigio (Western Cape, South Africa – $14.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Pale straw in colour, there’s a decent amount of red apple, pear, floral and peach notes on the nose of this South African white. It’s light-bodied and mainly dry, with simple and approachable ripe tree fruit flavours unencumbered by oak and with medium acidity. Drink now with mild/soft cheeses or salads. 2.5/5

Dandelion Vineyards 2019 Lioness of McLaren Vale Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia – $22.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Sourced from a single vineyard in Australia’s McLaren Vale, this Shiraz is deep ruby in colour, with aromas of iron, black cherry, leather, smoke and plum that marry Old and New World components. A dry, full-bodied red, the medium tannins and relatively high alcohol levels (it’s 14.5 per cent) add bite to the jammy cherry, black pepper, iron, raspberry, plum and mocha flavours. Drink this serious Shiraz now with a big steak or after decanting for half an hour, or set aside for 2-3 years. On sale for $19.99 until the end of September. 4/5

Bodegas Fos 2020 Rioja Alavesa (Rioja, Spain – around $22, private wine stores)

This Spanish Tempranillo brings plum, raspberry, black tea, violet and hints of lacquer and spice from oak aging. It’s dry and medium-plus bodied, with grippy (but not overpowering) tannins adding structure to the raspberry, blueberry and plum flavours, while the 14 per cent alcohol adds some heat on the finish. Drink this Old World red now with ribs, a peppery steak or a burger. Picked up at The Winehouse. 3.5/5