Vancouver Wine Festival 2026: Host an At-Home Tasting with 3 Expert Picks
The 47th Annual Vancouver International Wine Festival is now in full swing, running through this weekend, transforming the city into a global wine hub. This prestigious event showcases an impressive 850 different wines poured from 113 wineries representing 14 countries. If you have noticed more wine bottles being carried around downtown or heard an unusual amount of French spoken this week, it is because the festival is highlighting the wine regions of France, featuring approximately 30 wineries from the country.
While attending the festival in person is ideal, it may not be feasible for everyone. As an alternative, consider hosting an impromptu, at-home wine tasting to celebrate the occasion. Here are three expert-selected bottles from participating wineries to create your own festive experience.
Maison Louis Jadot 2024 Combe aux Jacques Beaujolais-Villages, France
Price: $27.99 on sale until March 31 (Product #469924)
France stands as a titan in the global wine industry, renowned for its diverse wine regions and highly esteemed productions. Maison Louis Jadot, with a legacy dating back to 1859, embodies this excellence through its commitment to preserving Burgundy's great terroirs. While not their most luxurious Cru, Jadot's Combe aux Jacques Beaujolais-Villages offers an accessible introduction to quality Beaujolais. This wine is vibrant and fruit-forward, yet maintains a composed and balanced finish, making it a versatile red wine choice.
Bottom line: B+
Pairing suggestion: Everything from pizza to roast chicken
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2023 Reserve White Gold Chardonnay, B.C.
Price: $35.99 (Product #541011)
The Vancouver International Wine Festival is a global affair, and local wineries are well-represented. Fort Berens Estate Winery exemplifies this with its Lillooet Chardonnay, specifically from grapes grown in the Dry Creek vineyard. This wine undergoes seven months of aging in new and old, large-scale French oak barrels. It pours with a golden, bright hue and presents captivating aromas of orchard fruit and lemon curd. The mid-palate is lean yet textural, with an engaging texture that complements its freshness, resulting in an elegant and intense white wine.
Bottom line: A-
Pairing suggestion: Poached halibut, Thai curry, or pork schnitzel
Majella The Musician 2022 Cabernet Shiraz, Australia
Price: $19.99 (Product #17095)
Part of the festival's appeal is the opportunity to explore the wine world in one venue. To round out this tasting trio, we include a selection from Coonawarra in South Australia. The Musician Cabernet Shiraz is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon and 31% Shiraz. This deep, dark purple-black wine offers bold aromas of dark fruit, spice, and tobacco, enhanced by lifted floral notes. The mid-palate is juicy and punchy, with spice building to a smooth, fruity, and juicy finish.
Bottom line: B
Pairing suggestion: Grilled steak tacos
Festival Details and Ticket Information
The Vancouver International Wine Festival offers various events, though many are sold out. Tickets remain available for major tastings, such as the International Festival Tasting, which features hundreds of wines. This event runs from 7-10 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with tickets priced between $110 and $129. For complete details and ticket reservations, visit the official festival website at vanwinefest.ca.
Hosting an at-home tasting with these selections allows you to partake in the festival spirit, enjoying a curated experience that mirrors the global diversity and local excellence celebrated at this annual event.
