Sampling the Burlington Wine and Food Festival

I took the opportunity to attend the Burlington Wine and Food Festival yesterday despite the overcast skies and threat of rain. I’m glad I did. Imagine a tasting tent with 32 tables each with a selection of wine for the tasting! Pinot Noir from Napa Valley, Malbec from Argentina, Bordeaux from France, Riesling from Germany, Rioja from Spain, and of course a few from Vermont. There was only one Vermont winery represented at the festival – Shelburne Vineyard but no matter. There was plenty of wine to choose from. The wine was grand and the food was spectacular – our local restaurants were there in force and did a great job of showcasing their offerings. I had cheese from Cabot Cheese and Vermont Creamery, bread from Klinger’s Bread Company (you simply must try the black pepper and Parmesan), and several light meals at the food tent prepared by The Essex, 156 Bistro, The Green Room, and L’Amante Ristorante. I came home stuffed, sated, and quite happy I had attended. Here’s the lowdown in case you plan to attend next year.

I arrived at Burlington Waterfront Park around 4pm. I noticed the parking areas closest to the event were charging $7 and $5. I opted to park on the street and walk back to the park. The line into the festival was long but the staff did a great job of greeting people, checking IDs (required), taking tickets, making sure you got your glass and goody bag and then wishing you a good time. There were exactly four options once I was in: 1) visit the exhibitors tents along the periphery, 2) visit the food tent and get a bite (1 free meal token was included), 3) attend one of the seminars being held in a tent close to the tasting tent (I never made it to any of the despite my best intentions), or 4) head straight into the largest tent where the wine tasting was happening (a bunch of wine tasting tickets were included). I chose the tasting tent of course!

With 32 tables to choose from I wanted to size up the situation. The wine tasting tables were placed along the outside walls of the tent and the food sample tables and the silent auction table were placed in the center. Oh and let’s not forget the live music stage where two local bands entertained us for the afternoon. The tent was crowded but not so much that I couldn’t navigate. The table where Fleming-Jenkins (as in Peggy Fleming) Vineyards & Winery had a long line so I skipped that one and headed over to Shelburne Vineyard. I wanted my first taste to be a Vermont wine. I struck up a short conversation with Scott Prom, winemaker for Shelburne Vineyard and learned a few tidbits about how they’re doing.

Scott shared with me they’ve added 5 acres of new vines this year. Currently they are able to grow about 50% of what they need for their production with the rest coming from NY and Quebec vineyards.  Their goal is to have 100% of their grapes come from their own land but that’s going to take some time to achieve. As with all vineyards here in Vermont, they’re still learning what the grape growing books don’t tell you about. Scott told me they lost one field of grapes to birds in 2009 and they’re finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their organic certification because of the realities of growing grapes here. Scott was hopeful nonetheless and looking forward to the Vermont wine industry’s growth and expansion. I do too.

The general atmosphere of the festival was spirited and orderly. I saw couples, groups of friends, and families sharing time tasting some fine wines and sampling delicious foods. In fact, I seemed to be the only one there on my own. Everyone was well behaved such that the Burlington police that mingled among us didn’t have much to do except feed the birds seeking a morsel. I think everyone had a grand time. I know I certainly did.

The suppliers at the Burlington Wine & Food Festival included:

• Albert Bichot
• B.R. Cohn Vineyards
• Anders Lane
• The Country Vintner
• Domaine Select Wine Estates
• Davis Wine Co.
• DS Trading
• Eberle Winery
• Ecosur Group
• Frontier Wine Imports
• Maritime/Graham Beck
• Grape Moments
• Great Estates
• Fleming-Jenkins Vineyards & Winery
• La Chablisienne
• Kysela pere et Fils
• Laurent Miquel
• McManis Family Vineyards
• Massanois Imports
• Michael Skurnik
• Napa Station Winery
• NY Mutual Trading Co.
• Opici Wines
• Parker Station/Epiphany
• Robert Sinskey Vineyards
• Romero & Miller
• Shelburne Vineyards
• Sean Minor Wines
• South Pacific Wines
• The Sorting Table
• Stacole Fine Wines
• Testa Wines of the World
• The Other Guys
• Vine Connections
• Votto Vines
• Well Oiled Wine
• Winesellers
• Wine Sources

Tagged as: Burlington Wine & Food Festival, Shelburne Vineyard, wine festivals, wine pairing, wine tastings