Kingston’s First Annual Corks & Forks International Wine Festival

Corks & Forks International Wine Festival

I was given media passes to attend a few events at the Corks & Forks Festival. This post was made possible by Savvy Company and the Corks & Forks Festival.

This past weekend, the Corks & Forks Festival brought an amazing collection of wines and winemakers to Kingston Ontario. Savvy Company worked tireless to create a special event for somelliers and casual wine enthusiasts alike.

I was very excited to hear a wine festival was coming to this very beer heavy town. Having the chance to taste, and enjoy, wines from around the world – without travelling – was a unique experience and one I was keen to enjoy.

Festival Lineup

The three day festival began on Friday with events and classes for tradespeople. Winemaker Dinners and a Discover the Wine World tasting event were also hosted Friday, as well as Saturday, evenings. (I was out of town on Friday and not able to take in any of these events.)

Saturday hosted so many events I can’t mention them all here. (Visit the full list of events for an idea of the amazing options.) I was fortunate to attend the Learn to Taste like a “Pro” and the Clink & Drink Pink seminar. Both seminars ran ninety minutes, with a quick thirty minute room change-over between.

What I took in:

Learn to Taste like a Pro was hosted by Tony Aspler and featured one sparkling wine, two chardonnays (one oaked and one unoaked) and two red wines.

We discussed ways to taste and smell wines. The swirl of wine in the glass, and swish in the mouth to coat all tastebuds allows for a full saturation of flavours. Tony was a very engaging host and made this class one to remember.

Clink and Drink Pink was a very fun seminar, with representatives from six wineries sharing their rosé wines and tasting notes. Rosé wines are becoming more popular in Ontario and almost every one was delicious!

The intimacy of the classes was amazing. At the Discover the Wine World evening I was able to visit the tables of the wineries whose rosé wines I tried during the Clink & Drink Pink event, and they recognized me from the class. This festival had many opportunities to really chat with the wine makers and winery representatives and get all your questions answered.

Discover the Wine World, on Saturday night, was an amazing spectacle. This event also occurred on Friday evening, and I heard it was just as busy.

Ontario wineries had booths set up in the Residence Inn by Marriott ballroom. It was wonderfully large space which quickly filled with wine lovers. A band played throughout the evening, keeping everyone entertained as they sipped. Bread and cheese was the perfect touch to compliment the wine tastings.

I tried about four wines during the evening event. After two classes with five and six wines each, a few small tasting glasses was all I was comfortable having. The Pan Chancho loaves of bread were a delicious accompaniment for those such as me who didn’t have substantial food between a class and the tasting evening!

Sunday

The highlight of the weekend was the Vintner’s Brunch, hosted by the Delta Hotel. Located in the penthouse suite, attendees (myself included) were treated to a beautiful buffet and a lovely tasting bar.

Of course, I ate more than I needed to, drank more wine than might have been wise, and enjoyed myself thoroughly.

The Corks & Forks Festival plans to be an annual event. Savvy Company is already in talks with the wineries to make this festival a Kingston tradition.

Were you able to take in any events at the Corks & Forks Festival? If you are a wine enthusiast, I recommend any seminar or wine tasting. This year the festival sold out almost every option so next year may be bigger and better!

Connect with Savvy Company, and be informed of their upcoming events and seminars. A huge thank you goes out to them for giving me the opportunity to attend, and write about, this festival!

Jess

Corks and Forks is back for a second year – get the details here: https://savvycompany.ca/savvy-events/corksandforksfestival/

Interested in having me write about your event or attraction? Contact me for details.

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