LAKE
BUENA VISTA, Fla. – If you’re a wine neophyte, you can cut through the
mystique of wine tasting to become a savvy sipper at the 13th annual
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 26-Nov. 9, 2008, at
Walt Disney World Resort. So slather on the sunscreen, don comfortable
shoes and begin the wine quest in Future World at Epcot.
As your tram glides toward the park entrance, review these simple tips for beginning tasters:
Lift your glass by the stem to avoid warming the wine in the bowl of your glass.
Raise your glass to check the wine’s color.
Swirl
the liquid by gently rotating your wrist; as the wine leaves trails, or
legs, it reveals alcohol content. A wine with high alcohol content
normally will have slow-moving legs.
Sniff deeply and try to identify the wine’s traits, which could range from essence of raspberry to chocolate.
Sip
– but don’t swallow yet. Hold the wine and swish it across your tongue
and inner cheeks before exhaling slowly through both nose and
mouth. The taste will be that much more vivid!
First
stop, Festival Welcome Center in East Future World. Celebrate the start
of your grape expedition with a glass of bubbly at the center’s
champagne and wine bar. There, Epcot cast members can fill you in on
the day’s wine-tasting schedule and on details of special events such
as Food and Wine Pairings or the Party for the Senses grand tasting.
Before
heading outside, catch a complimentary wine seminar and visit the
Stockpot Shop for festival gifts and the Inspired Vines shop for more
than 300 wine selections from prestigious vineyards showcased at the
festival’s seminars and private events, including Antinori, Caymus
Vineyards, Château Cos d’Estournel, Silver Oak and Piper Heidsieck. You
also can meet representatives from more than 100 wineries and purchase
a signed bottle at the Bottle Signing location.
Complimentary
wine seminars are scheduled daily, and you can explore more than 25
international marketplaces around World Showcase where ethnic cuisine
and wine-pairing tastes range from just $2-$5. (Marketplace wines are
available by the bottle at Inspired Vines). There are also some great
ways to try new levels of tasting experiences: at one of the daily Food
and Wine Pairings, or at a weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting.
Food and Wine Pairings ($55 per person, park admission required) are
scheduled throughout the week at several popular Epcot restaurants
including Tutto Italia Restaurant, Restaurant Marrakesh and Mitsukoshi
Restaurant. There, winery principals lead you through a tasting of
three wines that are paired precisely with complementary foods.
At
Party for the Senses each Saturday night in the grand World ShowPlace
($135 per person, park admission required), you’ll taste some of the
finest cuisine by more than 25 eminent chefs and sample from more than
70 wines and beers as you chat with the winemakers and enjoy first-rate
live entertainment.
Afternoon
Epcot Wine Schools ($125 or $135) including France, Italy, Spain and
South Africa wine schools, take place Saturdays during the six-week
fest.
As
you complete your trip around the world’s longest, largest wine fest,
favorite wines will be available for purchase at the Festival Welcome
Center, says Jason Cha-Kim, beverage sourcing specialist for Disney
Worldwide Services.
“You’ll
have the opportunity to wine and dine around World Showcase and learn
about the basics of wine from the very best vineyards in the world,”
says Cha-Kim. “You’ll come away from the festival with an understanding
of the major wine-growing regions, how to taste wine correctly and
really enjoy it, what wines to look for at home, and how to pair food
and wine. It’s a great way to explore and learn about wines from around
the world.”
Entrance
to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, plus wine and beer
seminars, cooking demonstrations, Eat to the Beat! concerts, culinary
exhibits and all attractions and park entertainment, is included with
regular Epcot admission. Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for
information or reservations for special events and programs.
