Drinking Wine in the Mountains

Drinking Wine in the Mountains

This weekend, I’m heading to Banff for the annual food and wine festival at the Fairmont Hotel. I’m looking forward to breathing in the crisp air of the Canadian Rockies, while sipping on some mouth-waterings wines. I’ve heard great things about this festival, but have never attended. On the agenda this year:

Hennessy

Bertrand Steip, General Manager of Hennessy Canada, takes you through a very exclusive tasting of five of the famed Cognac house’s cognacs including Richard Hennessy.

Vintners Reception

Enjoy six interactive food stations showcasing the talents of The Fairmont Banff Springs Culinary team. The evening would not be complete without a perfect glass of wine. Our vintners will showcase their offerings to match our culinary teams’ offering. Live entertainment presented by Barry Shaw.

Technical tasting with Henry Pelham

Paul Speck and his two brothers own the award winning Niagara winery and are pleased to present eight outstanding wines including Cuvée Catharine Brut and Riesling Ice wine.

Tasting with Seghesio Family Winery

Camille Seghesio leads you through seven of her family’s wines. Prepare yourself as the Seghesio family is known for their incredible high scoring Sonoma Valley Zinfandels.

Lunch
Executive Chef Martin Luthi has prepared a four-course feast perfectly paired with our featured wines.

Anna Abbona, Marchesi di Barolo Piedmonte

Ms. Abbona and her family own the world renowned Marchesi di Barolo Piedmonte vineyard. Ms. Abbona will lead you through six enticing wines, from Moscatto to Barolo

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Culinary demonstration

From the farm to fork, Stephen Garton of The Fairmont Banff Springs, Felix Pfister of The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and Patrick Turcot of The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge will create a three course menu, sourcing only local ingredients. Each Chef will explain what they are doing, step by step, and leave your taste buds wanting more and a recipe card to take home.

Masquerade black tie Gala Dinner

We gather for a Cuvée Catharine Reception before our masquerade black-tie gala dinner. After seven courses, twelve wines and one cognac, you will be ready to dance the night away with Barry Shaw and The Banff Springs Orchestra.
 

Technical Tasting – Tolaini Vineyard

Join Louis Tolaini, owner of Tolaini Vineyard in Tuscany, as he takes us through three of his recently high-scoring wines. Here you will taste three vintages of each wine. Pick up the latest Wine Spectator to read about Louis and the phenomenal scores his wines just received.

Technical Tasting

The last technical tasting showcases two vineyards from France. We start with James Sichel, famed owner of numerous Bordeaux wineries, including the prestigious Château Palmer. Mr. Sichel will showcase four vintages of his Chateau d’Angludet vineyard’s top blends. Along with Mr. Sichel is Laure Planty, owner of Château Guiraud. Mr. Planty will introduce four of the wines that Guiraud produce in addition to their famed Sauterne.

 

I wonder if wine tastes different at such a high altitude? Can’t wait to experiment (many times)!

Natalie

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