The 8th Annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival, November 19 – 21, is a celebration of culinary crafts. The Midwest's largest wine, beer, and food tasting event offers 1,500-plus beverages for sampling.
Step into the vineyard, where more than 100 wineries from around the world provide samples, including some hard-to-find, top-shelf vintages in the new Elite Collection display in the center of the ballroom. Many attendees have expressed an interest in experiencinf the "Best of the Best" offered: Here is your chance to find them all in one location. Consulting sommeliers and importing specialists have been challenged to review the finest wines that will be available for tasting this year, and have hand-picked the premium bottles to be included in this new Elite Collection. This is your opportunity to easily find them and taste them for yourself.
A returning feature is the showcase of the Gold Medal winners from the 2015 Tasters Guild International Wine Judging, along with winners from the 2015 Michigan Wine Competition, sponsored each year by the Michigan Grape & Wine Industry Council. These winning wines are identified in the official Festival program and in the mobile app (available in iTunes and the Google Play store), as well as designated with Gold Medal bottles in the individual winery displays.
Once inside the festival, be sure to take part in the free workshops and beverage seminars offered. This year's headliners include Cortney Casey, Michigan by the Bottle; Don Coe, Black Star Farms; Carl Crocker, Trinchero Family Estates; Chip Davis, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates; Rick Lopus, Great Lakes Wine and Spirits; Lee Lutes, Black Star Farms; Mike Peterson, Great Lakes Wine and Spirits; Rick Sigsby, author of Michigan's Holy Water; and David Stanley, Meijer.
Of course while at the festival, you'll also want to visit the Beer City Station, Cider Row, RendezBREW Coffee, Cordials & Dessert Café, and Riverfront Marketplace, as well as take part in an intimate Pairing Dinner, sample a Grower's Champagne Flight, and savor offerings from more than a dozen local restaurants.
For complete information including hours, ticket prices, seminar schedules, or to make reservations for the Pairings or Grower's Champagne Flight tastings, visit GRWineFestival.com. Follow the festival on social media at facebook.com/grwinefestival and twitter.com/grwinefestival.
Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival.
