In less than a month, the inaugural Corks & Forks International Wine Festival will get underway in Kingston.
The weekend-long festival, taking place April 12-14, is for anyone who enjoys wine.
Winemakers and wine industry personalities from around the world and across Canada will be in Kingston to take part in a variety of events being held at the Delta Waterfront Hotel, the Residence Inn by Marriott Waterfront, as well as restaurants including Aquaterra, Bayview Farm and Chez Piggy.
“We’re excited to work with Savvy Company on Corks & Forks to showcase Kingston’s culinary culture and hospitality industry. Visitors to the city can find some great hotel packages for the weekend,” said Megan Knott, Executive Director, Tourism Kingston.
Wineries confirmed to date include: Broken Stone Winery (Prince Edward County), Château Des Charmes (Niagara), Closson Chase (PEC), GreenLane Estate (Niagara), Huff Estates (PEC), Karlo Estates (PEC), Morandin Wines (PEC), Pelee Island Winery (Lake Erie), Reif Estate Winery (Niagara-on-the-Lake), Rosehall Run Vineyards (PEC), Sandbanks (PEC), Southbrook Vineyards (Niagara), The Hare Wine Co. (Niagara), The Grange (PEC), Trail Estate Winery (PEC), Traynor Family Vineyard (PEC) and Two Sisters Vineyards (Niagara-on-the-Lake).
“The support has been tremendous. We have been inviting wineries – local, across Canada and internationally – to join us in Kingston and put the city on the wine map,” said Debbie Trenholm, festival organizer and founder of Savvy Company.
The festival starts Friday, April 12, with a variety of 90-minute seminars for those in the hotel, restaurant and hospitality trade. The seminars include a ‘Using the Right Glassware’ hosted by Riedel; ‘Creating a Great Wine List & Serve Wine Like a Pro’; a ‘Wine and Food Pairing’ seminar hosted by Peter Bodnar from the Food and Wine Sciences program at Niagara College; and a ‘Tasting Tour Around the World’ session focusing on signature grape varieties in different countries, hosted by Harry Hertscheg, Executive Director of the Vancouver International Wine Festival.
The signature “Discover the Wine World” International Tasting Hall will be held both Friday and Saturday evenings at the Residence Inn. With a tasting glass in hand, wine fans – from novice to Sommeliers — will meet the winemakers and sample newly released & signature wines
On Saturday, April 13, fun educational ‘classes’ will be held for consumers throughout the day, including; The Magic of Pairing Wine and Food; Wines made by Wonderful Women; Clink and Drink Pink; Outstanding Wine Fines for under $25; Wine Glass ‘Class’, Wine and Cheese Extravaganza; Sparkling Wines of the World and How to Taste like a Pro, hosted by Tony Aspler, below, renowned Canadian wine writer and judge.
“An International Wine Festival for Kingston! Bring it on. Kingstonians deserve to be able to sample the wines of the world on their own doorstep — like Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa. I look forward to leading a wine tasting during the festival,” said Aspler.
The grande finale of the Corks & Forks will be a Vintner’s Brunch on Sunday, April 14th at the Delta Waterfront Hotel. A brunch like no other where every dish will be eloquently paired with a wine showcased at the event. Ticketholders will vote for the People’s Choice Award for the best food & wine pairing. This is a fundraising event with proceeds of the Silent Auction donated to the University Hospital’s Kingston Foundation.
Tickets and passes for all of the Corks & Forks activities are all on sale now here
Note: This information for this post was provided to Wines In Niagara by the organizers.
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