This July, Niagara will once again welcome the world’s top cool climate Chardonnay producers to celebrate the rebirth of a seriously cool grape. Wine enthusiasts and food lovers are invited to discover and enjoy the many reasons to celebrate everything Chardonnay throughout a weekend full of activities from July 20th to 22nd, 2012.
“It’s about time we had a festival that celebrated the greatness that is Chardonnay” –says Eric Hamacher, Owner and winemaker at Hamacher Wines, Oregon.
The second annual International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4C) will showcase over 110 cool climate Chardonnays. Guests will have the ability to ‘blend’ their own Chardonnay experience by choosing from twelve unique events over the three day celebration. Friday evening’s official Kick-Off Party will feature a wandering feast at Jackson Triggs where guests can meet all fifty-five winemakers, followed by a concert featuring a Juno-award winning band in the picturesque vineyard amphitheatre.
Connoisseurs can participate in an in-depth winemaker discussion hosted by 2012 i4C Keynote Speaker Stephen Brook of Decanter Magazine on “Extreme Winemaking” then mingle with winemakers at one of eight gourmet Chardonnay-inspired luncheons at some of Niagara’s most striking wineries. The i4c’s signature event – the Cool Chardonnay World Tour – offers the only opportunity to sample all 110 wines and is set this year in the stunning rhododendron gardens at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. After the tasting, guests can stroll to the al fresco Taste of Canada dinner and cap off the evening with dancing under the stars.
Chardonnay grown in a cool climate is “Chardonnay with vibrancy and life. When Chardonnay ripens properly in a cool environment, the fruit flavours are zesty and strong, but retains an acidity and minerality that makes the wine refreshing” says Michael Brajkovich, winemaker at New Zealand’s Kumeu River, one of 55 International and Canadian wineries participating in the event this July.
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