It’s hard to believe
Cornucopia is a decade old but the high-altitude food and wine party turns a
decade old next month (Nov. 9-12) and it appears the village is finally ready
to acknowledge the beneficial effects of hosting a village full of
discriminating eaters and drinkers.
Currently Whistler finds
itself in a dogfight for tourists’ dollars — the war on terror, not to
mention Iraq and Afghanistan, has curtailed most “spur of the moment travel” by
Americans and it’s taken a huge bite out of the regular holiday business.
Cornucopia can’t come soon enough for many Whistler businesses hoping to kick
off a successful winter season with some early food and wine frivolity.
What follows is our annual
insider’s guide to the Cornucopia events that offer both value and
entertainment and, frankly, provide locals with a terrific opportunity to learn
more about a subject that is becoming as important as the depth of snow on the
hills. Unless otherwise mentioned, all events take place at the Telus Whistler
Conference Centre.
Although many events are
already sold out, at press time the following were still showing tickets
available.
The kick off
House
Party
takes on a different look
this year thanks to the sponsorship of the Washington Wine Commission. The
Evergreen State is struggling to gain shelf space in B.C. wine stores and has
decided to host the House Party to showcase a variety of wines to entice some
interest north of the border. Merlot, riesling, chardonnay and more from the
Columbia Valley and its growing number of sub-regions definitely raise the
value quotient of this event. Food and music round out a casual fun kick-off to
Cornucopia 10. Thursday Nov. 9, 7-9 p.m. $35.
Big Guns & Their
Little Sisters
was a big hit
last year and returns for 2006. The concept is to explore an icon wine and its
little sister or, to be a bit less chauvinist, its little brother. Few icon
wines stand alone; in fact almost all spawn second or support labels that offer
incredible value. Former BCLDB buyers, David Scholefield and Christopher Perry
will present everyday quaffing wines next to iconic classics in the same
family. Friday, Nov 10, Noon-1:30 p.m. $75.
If caffeine is required to
kick start your morning
Mocha Mix: Chocolate & Coffee, In the Raw &
After the Roast
could be for
you. George Graham of Rogers' Chocolates Ltd. and Karla Ferster of Frog
Friendly Wild Coffee will talk chocolate and coffee, origin and the history,
and will be grinding up coffee cacao to make spicy mochas for all. Saturday,
Nov. 11, 10-11:30 a.m. $20.
If you are looking for a
solid primer in varietal tasting don’t miss the
Cornucopia Varietal Series
Tastings
presented by DJ
Kearney, David Scholefield, and Mark Davidson. The trio will offer three
separate tastings featuring a global selection of riesling, pinot noir and
syrah/shiraz. The series is staggered so the ambitious can attend all three
sessions. The sessions are informal and stand-up. Saturday Nov. 11, 9:40-10:20
a.m. Riesling #1, Pinot Noir #1, Syrah/Shiraz #1; from 10:30 to 11:10 a.m.
Riesling #2, Pinot Noir #2, Syrah/Shiraz #2 and finally at 11:20 a.m. until
noon Riesling #3, Pinot Noir #3, Syrah/Shiraz #3. $20 per session or $50 for
all three.
West Eats East: B.C.
Wines and Asian Flavours
is
another must-attend event. The British Columbia Wine Institute has organized a
food and wine seminar they are billing “where wine and food is heading next.”
The old rules say the exotic flavours of curry, satays, ginger and galangal
don't work with wine. Don’t believe it. In B.C. we are making the new rules and
they are as exciting as the wine. Saturday, Nov. 11, Noon-1:30 p.m. $50.
Oysters & Champagne
101
presented by master oyster
shucker Chris Field and Bearfoot Bistro founder Andre St. Jacques may be the
best value event at Cornucopia. Attendees will explore the world of West Coast
oysters and French champagne. Need I say more. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the
Bearfoot Bistro from 1 to 2:30 p.m. $75.
Thomas Perrin from Chateau
Beaucastel is in Whistler to present his Icon label Hommage at the Bearfoot
Bistro Winemaker's Dinner, but before he does he will join John Clerides from
Marquis Wine Cellars to offer a collection of who's who and a
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Icon Tasting
. If you like
blended reds with plenty of oomph do not miss this tasting. Saturday, Nov. 11,
4-5:30 p.m. $75.
At the same time, my radio
colleague Kasey Wilson and I will preside over the
Battle of the Sexes - An
Interactive Blind Tasting
. The
women won last year so the heat is on the men to turn the tables. The format
has the women tasting four wines and the men tasting four wines, and the
audience with access to all eight. Points will be awarded for any correct
answers that lead to the identity of the wines and the audience is invited to
help out. If you can tell a chardonnay from a Chevrolet this event is for you.
Eight wines, 90 minutes, 75 seats. Organizers are expecting a full house.
Saturday, Nov. 11, 4 to 5:30 p.m. $75.
The
weekend wraps with two brunches. The first,
Jazz Brunch
at Four Seasons Whistler,
is sold out but you can still get tickets to Bubbles & Brunch in The
Wildflower at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Chef Vincent Stufano joins Jordan
Sturdy from North Arm Farm, to offer the best of this year's local harvest
prepared while you watch. Sunday, Nov. 12, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Fairmont
Chateau Whistler. $55.
You
can buy event tickets on an individual basis, subject to availability,
at the Tourism Whistler Information &
Activity Centre in front of the Telus Whistler Conference Centre
or on-line at
http://www.mywhistlercornucopia.com
or call
1-888-999-4566
. See you there.
Anthony
Gismondi is a globetrotting wine writer who makes his home in West Vancouver,
British Columbia. For more of his thoughts on wine log onto
www.gismondionwine.com
