5 tips you need to survive the Vancouver International Wine Festival

Can you tell the difference between sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio? No idea? That’s totally fine. (You’re not the only one.)

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to fake it ’till you make it when it comes to wine knowledge. You’ve got to walk before you can run, right? And we’ve got the perfect place for you to start, at the Vancouver International Wine Festival (VIWF). The festival is taking place at multiple locations around the city from now until Sunday, March 4, and you don’t want to miss it.

Think about it; VIWF gives you the perfect excuse to dive into the wine world in true adult style. But before you do that, you might want to read these quick and easy tips from Charles Smith wines that will help you survive the festival like a pro.

Stay hydrated

Let’s be honest, the wine is going to be flowing like, well, wine at VIWF. And you’re going to want to be all over that. The best way to approach it? Get as much H2O as you can in between wine stops to avoid dehydration. You literally have no excuse since there’s going to be water stations located all around the festival.

Plan your roadtrip

There’s going to be more than 181 winery stands on the main floor at VIWF. (Cue jaw-drop). And that means you’re going to have a whole lot of tasting to do. But you don’t want to leave the festival and think ‘s*it, I missed that one’. To avoid that at all costs, channel your inner Christopher Columbus and make one epic map to take you where you want to go.

Tip: You can start out on your adventure at booth 171 where you’ll get to sample the award-winning Kung Fu Girl Reisling – a vintage that’s pure and focused with citrus blossom and peach intermingling. To make it even more intriguing, actress Lucy Lui (and takeout Chinese food) actually inspired the label design for this wine.

Work the room

You’re a badass, so act like one. Walk onto the main floor at VIWF and make your presence known. Explore wine regions and chat with the people behind the wines. Follow them on Instagram after and share the selfies you took together if you feel like it.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

If you never ask, you’ll never know. Right? Look out for the winemakers wearing a blue lanyard at VIWF and ask them about their awesome work. Of course, some winemakers do things more extravagantly than others and Charles Smith is no exception. His ‘The Velvet Devil Merlot’ has layers of black fruit with a velvety palate and it’s easily the sexiest kind of vin rouge you’ll try. Fun fact: The movie Sideways inspired the devilish label for this wine.

Swirl

If you’re wondering exactly how you should taste wine, this is it. Once you’re over 19, you can look suave if you do this right. Act all fancy and take in the aromas of each glass which will take your overall tasting experience up to the next level. The toughest call you’ll have to make is which sensationally-named wine you want to try first. The struggle is real.

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For more information visit Charles Smith Wines now. Visit the brand on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates.

Vancouver International Wine Festival 2018

When: Saturday, February 24 to Sunday, March 4
Where: Multiple locations around Vancouver
Cost: Prices vary, certain events sold out – Buy remaining tickets online

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