Posts tagged with “Crush”

Wow. Seriously. What were they thinking?! Like, you’ve got to be kidding me! There’s literally TOO much to choose from.

So, I’m meant to go to a wine seminar, a Viking stage, a winery dinner, Crush AND an after party..?! What do they think this is.. Whistler?!!

On second thoughts, maybe they’re onto something. Maybe this is a town that celebrates even when it’s not a pow day. Maybe this is the place that doctors, lawyers, bankers and civil engineers go to become line chefs, bartenders and restaurant managers just so they can enjoy the rest of life too. Maybe this is the place where we revel in good food, good wines and great company. So maybe, just maybe, those Tourism Whistler and Cornucopia peeps are right.

I may be biased, but I think they know that early November would be a pretty dismal time without our little wine soaked shin dig. Snow on the peaks but no chairlift open. Rain somedays and the promise of cooling temperatures but not just yet. So, what better time to join your fellow foodies, wine lovers, party animals, professional or enthusiast, and kick up your heels a bit before the season really kicks in. Ours bars and restaurants need just as much support to pull through the ‘dead season’ as we all individually do, so this is a chance to show your support but donning your party finery, and indulging in some delicious eats and drinks in a variety of incredible locations. Sounds tough? Ah, I think you’ve got it in you..

Cornucopia has a plethora of options this year, from an insane amount of incredible Winery Dinners, perfect to start of your night right, to educational and entertaining wine seminars where it’s encouraged to swallow, not spit, after-parties to take you past the witching hour, cooking demos with wine pairings, an Asian Night Market, luncheons, brunches and more! With the openings left by Casino Royale and Masquerave, the Fairmont and Four Seasons have stepped up to the plate and you can get your party fix at the High Rollers casino themed affair on Friday November 9th; 10pm-2am or at the Eau du Vie Party at 5280 Bar the same evening, 9.30pm-1am. Araxi has their ever-popular and utterly delicious Bubbles + Oceans event to round out your Saturday night from 10pm. Don’t miss these lavish affairs where you can party with the best of them, dance, eat and drink the night away! There’s no pumpkins at midnight for these party princesses!

Tickets are selling like champagne soaked hot cakes and we recommend snapping up your favourite ASAP. Visit www.whistlercornucopia.com/schedule for the full line up, and get your itinerary planned and tickets booked. And remember, now is as good a time as any to try something new and delicious!

In the words of WIA blogger, Tyler Mills: “we got flushed, then we got CRUSHed.”

Friday evening at Cornucopia started off with a fabulous dinner at Alta Bistro. The “Symphony Bowl” 3-course menu included a Fresh Fall Salad with carrots, beets and candied walnuts; a second course of Goat Cheese Terrine and a main of Arctic Char with heavenly gnocchi.

Our cocktail wizard just so happened to be the restaurant’s co-owner, Ed Dangerfield. He mixed up a delightful daiquiri, followed by a mysterious lime and mint-infused rum concoction that can only be described as a party in my mouth. Arriba!

Next, we headed to Cornucopia’s Gala Grand Tasting event in the Whistler Conference Centre.

As always, the people watching was spectacular; from Vancouver’s glitterati to Whistler’s Twitterati and everyone in between. There were people there wearing furry boots, bejeweled cocktail dresses, Tom Selleck mustaches; as well as a man who looked like “The Situation” in 20 years.“I prefer tails over ties,” said the man dressed as a giraffe. No one said “dressing up” for an event can’t mean coming in costume.

As expected, the wine selection was spectacular, especially for the armchair sommeliers in the crowd. Attendees flocked to Cornucopia’s Top 25 wines, which were identified with white stickers. Other popular tastings included Argentina Wines, Black Hills, Blasted Church, Sterling Vineyards, and Painted Rock.

While food plays a much smaller role at CRUSH, the few food stations that were there offered a variety of sumptuous treats, including Nita Lake Lodge charcuterie, Crepe Montagne, SIDECUT at the Four Seasons, Terra Breads and Agropur Fine Cheese.

Cornucopia Whistler is an amazing event…unless you are in the poorhouse instead of the “pour-house.” While your oeno-friends are out whooping it up and gorging themselves on fabulous wine and food, you are stuck at home watching the rain come down. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. We’ve pulled together some amazing wines with even more amazing value so jot down the wines I am about to describe and have your own tasting with friends…think of it as training for next year when you will be sure to save up for a couple events!

Jo checks out the Trade Tasting at Cornucopia Whistler

Joanne DiGeso is WSET Level 3 Certified, and a server and floor sommelier at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler. She recommends the Ganton and Larson Prospect Winery’s “Larch Tree Hill Reisling 201o” for a white option. This Okanagan wine has aromas of stone fruits and white flowers. It has a touch of residual sugar and great mouth water acidity but what makes this choice really appetizing is the $12.99 price tag.

For the red Jo opted for the Castillo de Monseran Garnacha 2010. This Spanish wine has red berries and spice and everything nice for just $9.99 a bottle.

Heather was serving Jackson Triggs at the Trade Tasting

Heather Martin, an event and sales consultant in Whistler, also knows her wine and had these recommendations. Her best buy white is France’s Mouton Cadeau Blanc for $13.99. The Mouton-Cadet Blanc exudes fresh yellow fruit, white blossom, citrus fruit and lemon.

For the red she chose California’s Red Revolution, a rebellious blend of 51% Syrah, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Zinfandel and a selection of field blends. Taste buds will get rocked with ripe raspberries, plum, blackberries, spice and coffee/mocha notes but at $11.49 your wallet is safe and sound.

Now you are all set to host your very own CRUSH and if you are itching to head out onto the town, The Longhorn Saloon’s Tribute to Top Gun boasts a value-packed $15 ticket.  There will be Burlesque dancers and the ticket includes complimentary coat check and a glass of Sumac Ridge 30th Anniversary Tribute Sparkling wine. Join in the 25th Anniversary of TOP GUN (the movie) and the 30th Anniversary of SUMAC RIDGE Estate Winery. Close your night by noshing on some ooey gooey poutine from Zogs while you watch all the ladies totter home on their “too high” heels!

Cheers!

With Cornucopia, Whistler’s Celebration Of Wine And Food, set to return to Whistler with it’s lavish itinerary of culinary delights November 10-13, 2011, Whistler Is Awesome’s contributors are dishing on their Cornucopia Game Plans. Each itinerary is tailored for a specific budget but you are welcome to pick and choose from the bounty of options to create your perfect platter of Cornucopia events.

Mike Crane photo, courtesy Watermark Communications Inc

Someone once told me, “All a budget does, is cause you to worry before and after you spend your money…sometimes you need to stop worrying.” Well, if there’s ever a time to take this advice seriously, it’s this weekend, during Cornucopia, Whistler’s Celebration of Wine & Food!

Cornucopia Whistler is my favourite event of the year. It’s time for fine foods, opulent wines and extravagant parties. Basically, it’s a time to act majorly flush, because having a budget sucks. Sometimes it can be necessary, but at all times, it’s lame. So I’m here to give you a flush perspective on Cornucopia…even if it is only a dream.

Day 1: Thursday November 10

If one is not used to being surrounded by all things flush, I suggest you ease your way into the scene by attending the unofficial kickoff to Cornucopia Whistler, the “House Party”.  Don’t be fooled, this is not some lame party being thrown at some stranger’s house (that wouldn’t be flush). This is a party within the grand foyer of the Whistler Conference Centre and it introduces you to all the best local flavours of BC’s food & wine. Four Seasons Resort Whistler is serving up crazy delicious BBQ appetizers (flush & delicious) and it’s a great way to mix and mingle with all of Whistler’s major foodies.

The event runs from 6–9pm and tickets are still available for $40 CAD here. After the “House Party” I suggest a late dinner & nightcap at Alta Bistro. November 10 is their flush re-opening, after being closed for a month to renovate. Alta Bistro’s website.

Mike Crane photo, courtesy Watermark Communications Inc.

Day 2: Friday November 11^th

You’ve now had your orientation into the flush life. Now it’s time to really live it up. Throughout the weekend, there are many seminars on food pairing and wine tastings in Whistler village, for everyone to experience. But, I’m convinced that the truly flush do not live in the day light. They own the night. So Friday is going to begin at dinner time and almost every restaurant in town will be offering a crazy delicious winemaker’s dinner for you to indulge in.

My suggestion is dinner at Sidecut Modern Steak, hosted by Painted Rock proprietor, John Skinner.  When it comes to BC wines, it doesn’t get much better than Painted Rock and you’re going to want a hearty meal for the evening that lies ahead of you, because we are just getting started. Plus, nothing is better than a four-course meal, with perfectly paired wines from the winemaker himself. Dinner starts at 6:00pm and tickets are $195 CAD, and going fast. Tickets.

Next up, make an appearance at CRUSH. Tickets are only $85 CAD, which is a steal when you’re flush. CRUSH is the speed dating of wine tasting, and with over sixty different wine vendors to ‘date’, it’s impossible to have a committed relationship with just one. So hook up with as many as possible before leaving  for the next party. Tickets.

The final stop of the evening is “Casino Royale” at Ric’s Grill. “Casino Royale” is a Friday night tradition during Cornucopia Whistler. The restaurant transforms into a James Bond themed casino party, with free flowing Patrone, blackjack tables, & live music. Usually I station myself somewhere between the roulette table and the dessert stations. There’s nothing more flush than dropping “Ric’s Dollars” on casinos with one hand and chowing down on chocolate covered strawberries with the other…trust me. Tickets are $150 CAD and the event always sells out, so get them while you can. Tickets.

Well, we’re off to a flush start on the first two nights of Cornucopia. Thus far, we’ve managed to drop some major coin on events ($470 CAD to be exact). But, there’s still two days of Cornucopia madness to enjoy and I promise you, they’ll be flushest of them all. Stay tuned for second part of my flush perspective on Cornucopia, coming at you tomorrow!