Most of the excitement about the Vancouver International Wine Festival is with the theme country or region; California for this year. But, we should not shy from visiting the rest of the Tasting Room and try wines from other parts of the world, as well as Canada. Below are a dozen wines that I enjoyed and recommend for you to try. Note that as I taste many BC wines throughout the year and recommend them on mywinepal.com, I did not include any BC wines in my list of recommendations. Enjoy.
My Favourite Non-California Wines at VanWineFest 2019
l’Acadie Vineyards Prestige Brut Estate Organic 2013, Nova Scotia – Citrus and lees on the nose. Nice medium-sized, creamy bubble. Crisp apple flavour. Dry. Very nice sparkling wine from Nova Scotia. 
l’Acadie Vineyards Vintage Cuvee Rosé Organic 2016, Nova Scotia – Another nice Nova Scotia sparkler. This one has roasted apple aromas. High acidity with tiny, creamy bubble. High acidity with an off-dry finish.
Les Grands Chais de France S de la Sablette Rosé 2017, France – Nice fresh strawberry nose with more on the palate. Also cherry and rhubarb flavours. Medium minus body. Silky mouthfeel.
Deinhard Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Rotlack Kabinett 2017, Germany – Light peach nose. Off-dry. Quite mineral. Peach and roasted pear flavours and a tart finish. One of my favourite wines. – 
Masi Agricola Canevel Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superior DOCG Extra Dry NV, Italy – Nice stone fruit aromas in the glass. Dryish with higher acidity. Bright stone fruit flavours and a mineral component. Nice!
Mionetto Luxury Cartizze DOCG Dry NV, Italy – In the Prosecco region the top of the hill, and the top-quality wine is Cartizze. This wine has a light stone fruit nose. Off-dry with a small creamy bubble. Nutty, citrus, lemon and a hint of orange flavours.
Vina Santa Ema Amplus Chardonnay 2017, Chile – Very aromatic showing tropical and stone fruits, vanilla and cinnamon on the nose. Dryish, with ripe pears, apples and light sweet spices on the palate. 
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Coronica Gran Teran 2015, Croatia – Deep ruby in colour. Juicy, ripe currant aromas. Full body with juicy black fruit flavour, sweet spices and a mineral streak. Firm tannins, and low acidity. Quality.
Korta Katarina Reuben’s Private Reserve 2008, Croatia – Sweet prune almost port-like nose. Medium-plus body with firm tannins. Sweet prune flavour.
Elk Cove Vineyards Mount Richmond Pinot Noir 2016, Oregon – Medium minus translucent garnet in colour. Medium intensity red fruit nose. Fuller body, round with medium acidity. Red fruit, sweet spices and a mineral edge.
Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery Single Vineyard Block No. 25 La Palma Syrah 2017, Chile – Ripe cassis nose, with a hint of bacon. Fuller body, off-dry with medium tannins. Ripe cassis on the palate. Tasty. –
De Bortoli Wines Melba Lucia Reserve 2015, Australia – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from 6 rows. Light cassis nose. Medium body, dry with a light mouthfeel. Cassis flavour and fine tannins. –
