My absolute favourite wine event (ever) is coming up. It’s the California Wine Fair.
I discovered this event in the Calgary Round-up Centre (on the Stampede Grounds, for the uninitiated). It was a giant room full of delicious wines. I went with a big group of people from my old job and we basically hit the ground running as soon as we walked in the door. It was a fundraiser for the Calgary Opera.
What do I remember about this event? A room full of California wines, of course. We paid around $50 or $60 to get in with unlimited sampling. And sample we did. It was my first serious wine event. I remember talking to a lot of the importers, distributors and marketing representatives, wishing I had a job that was so cool. I also learned that by actually talking to the individuals working the table, as opposed to going around with a glass out to be filled, you could try some extremely special wines. I actually think this is the first time I ever tried a bottle worth over $150, retail.
Why am I discussing the California Wine Fair? I was crushed to discover that the fair this year, here in Ottawa, runs on a Wednesday. Coincidentally it’s the same Wednesday as my Grape Varieties final exam. How can one of the best wine events of the year be held on the same day as my final? I’ve already discussed this with Morgan, wine school friend, and we are going to casually bring it up to our new instructor. Just so that he’s informed. In case he wants to make the final exam some other time.
I mean, really. We only have class on that Wednesday because it’s the final exam. It would be so much easier if we could just fit our final into the last actual teaching class. Right? Right?!?!?!
I’m also missing the Ontario Winter Wine Night Out, which is being held on a Wednesday during Winterlude (February). I’m not happy with these Wednesday wine events!
