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By Richard Reichert Normally I find the thought of attending a crowded wine tasting show not very enticing. The cost of renting a presentation booth can be expensive so there is a tendency for the smaller wineries to be shut out. This limits your opportunities to find that "unique gem" that you like. You have crowds of people standing in front of you monopolizing the wine pourers time trying to impress everybody with their tasting and description prowess while you're waiting to taste a sample. Often, you find the good wines you wanted to taste have run out by the time you get to them. Then if you do get a sample you want and you take it to a less crowded area, you have to negotiate the crowd of people standing behind you, increasing the likelihood of spillage. For me, this is hardly an environment to make a fair assessment on whether I like a wine. Many times there is an age restriction meaning that the outing is not family oriented. I have a food and wine show that is an exception to all these stressors. Fiesta Buckhorn is located 30 minutes north of Peterborough, at the top end of Buckhorn Lake in the hamlet of the same name. It is run by the Buckhorn Community Association and has been held on the grounds of the Buckhorn Community Centre every July since 1997. In 2006 over 50 wineries from all over Ontario participated along with a number of breweries and 30 local restaurants and caterers. Top wine writers attend yearly, of note Tony Aspler and Richard Best have been regulars over the last several years. You used to pay 10 dollars for admission, a commemorative tasting glass and six sample tokens. Changes in liquor licensing restrictions require that tokens don't come with the admission fee; however, it has only gone up to 12 dollars. (The 10-dollar price was held down for several years so the increase is not that unreasonable.)
The show has added two events to make it a three-day affair if you want to attend. First, on Friday evening on the community centre grounds, you can listen to live jazz and taste from a select number of exhibitors (a two-day pass is 15 dollars with a tasting glass for each day). Second, on Sunday there is a three-course luncheon from 1130 to 1400 (40 dollars). Individuals must be 19 or older to sample wine (1 oz.) or beer (3 to 4 ounces) but children under the age of 19 are permitted to attend Fiesta Buckhorn and are not subject to the regular admission charge, so long as they are accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times. The show has even made provisions for children by selling hamburgers and ice cream. Designated drivers are encouraged, with free soft drinks and coffee provided to people who have identified themselves with show staff. The cost of renting a booth is not prohibitive which allows more owner-operated vineyards to attend. The best part of all is that this show is not crowded if you arrive right at opening time. You have every opportunity to sample the finest wine and local foods this show can offer. Whether it's just on a day trip or as part of a two-week holiday in cottage country, Fiesta Buckhorn offers the opportunity to really enjoy the wine and food samples the way it was intended to. Keeping checking the Fiesta Buckhorn website and mark your calendars' for July 2007 Copyright Wine Dining .net |
