Pop a cork at the Ottawa Wine and Food Festival this November

Ottawa Travel Guide

|

Tuesday, 07 August 2012 18:02

Canada's food and wine scene has impressed culinary critics the world over, and during this year's Ottawa Wine and Food Festival, those who travel to Ontario will have the chance to get their hands on some of the best bites and libations in The Great White North. Taking place from November 7-11, the festival will bring foodies to the Ottawa Convention Centre, where dozens of restaurant and wine exhibitionists will be sharing samples of their products.

Now headed into its 28th year, this festival has solidified itself as the premier food event in the Canadian capital. Last year's event took off with a bang, and this year is sure to be even more exciting.

In 2011, the festival moved to the massive new Ottawa Convention Centre in order to accommodate additional visitors. With twice the space, vendors from the farthest corners of the world will have the opportunity to showcase their goods.

A learning experience

As visitors peruse the vendor stalls, they can stop in at any of the tutored wine tastings, during which sommeliers from France, Spain and of course, Canada, will train tasters to focus their sense of sight, smell and taste on the full-bodied libation. Merlot, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay will never go down the same way again.

Tickets for Tasting Alley sell out only days after they first go on sale, so visitors thinking about staying in Ottawa accommodations for their holiday may want to reserve a spot sooner than later. Over the course of two hours, participants can sample wines from around the world at their own pace, asking vendors which regions produce the best grapes.

A match made in heaven

When a wine is properly paired with food, the marriage is truly divine. During the festival, visitors can watch as sommeliers and chefs join forces to create unique dishes that are enhanced by the freshly poured glass of wine they are served with. During the one-hour sessions at the demonstration kitchen, chefs will use wine in their dishes as they instruct viewers in the proper way to use the beverage in everyday meals.