Food and Wine festival... waiting.... patiently... not!! :)

[Horace Horsecollar]

So tell me, will Disney publish the free events in advance? Do you need to sign up for these?

Disney will publish a booklet with the complete schedule. This booklet will be available at the entrance to Epcot.

In the past, very few free events allowed advance sign-up — the beer tastings in UK and the tea tastings in UK come to mind, with same-day sign-up at a podium near the event location.

For the culinary demonstrations and the wine tastings, it's simply a matter of getting in line. Although the line starts forming 45-60 minutes before the start of each wine tasting, it's seldom necessary to be there that early. For something like a Champaign tasting or a Pinot Noir tasting on a weekend, it's a good idea to get into line 30-45 minutes before the start time — or you might not get in at all. However, for many wine tastings during the week, there are actually empty chairs in the back of the room, so you're fine as long as you get there before the start time.

 

[Brocktoon]

Le Cellier will have a Food & Wine Pairing from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. (or perhaps 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.) on November 3. So there will be no conflict with your ADR ("~5:30-6:30").

Even of you had an ADR at the same time as the Food & Wine Pairing, there would not be a problem. While 10-15% or so of Le Cellier is being used for the Paring, the rest of the restaurant is "business as usual."

By the way, Le Cellier does not have a private room for events like this, so they set up a long table right through the middle of the restaurant.

Thanks for the quick response! Being as obsessive/compulsive as I am, I going to check with Disney in a few weeks to confirm ALL my 180 day ADRs, but atleast I know I should be in good shape for the Le Cellier meal. That's as long as I can still stand after all the beer and wine tasting throughout the day.

 

[vascubaguy]

Disney will publish a booklet with the complete schedule. This booklet will be available at the entrance to Epcot.

In the past, very few free events allowed advance sign-up — the beer tastings in UK and the tea tastings in UK come to mind, with same-day sign-up at a podium near the event location.

For the culinary demonstrations and the wine tastings, it's simply a matter of getting in line. Although the line starts forming 45-60 minutes before the start of each wine tasting, it's seldom necessary to be there that early. For something like a Champaign tasting or a Pinot Noir tasting on a weekend, it's a good idea to get into line 30-45 minutes before the start time — or you might not get in at all. However, for many wine tastings during the week, there are actually empty chairs in the back of the room, so you're fine as long as you get there before the start time.

Thanks for the info... I'm going to have to try and make it to as many of these tastings as possible. I'm on a mission to find a beer and/or wine that I like. Right now all I drink are the foo-foo drinks (mmm... rum...)...

I'll have to jot these tips down, and might have to adjust the schedule so we can be there several days.... Thanks!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'm on a mission to find a beer and/or wine that I like. Right now all I drink are the foo-foo drinks (mmm... rum...)...

You'll be at the right place! The Epcot Food & Wine Festival offers an incredible number of opportunities to learn more about wine, and (to a lesser extent) about beer.

Most of the wine presenters are knowledgeable and entertaining. You'll typically sample 3 or 4 tastes (about 1 oz. each) during each tasting. Sometimes, you'll have several entirely different wines from the same winery. Other times, you'll have several examples of the same varietal from different wineries.

I've learned a lot about wine over the course of seven Food & Wine Festivals. I now buy very few California wines, because I've learned about great wine values from the Southern Hemisphere, including South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and Chile. I'm now drinking better wines, without spending much more. (There are, of course, excellent California wines, but they tend to be rather pricey.)

In addition to the scheduled tasting sessions, there are numerous other opportunities to sample wines at the F&W Festival, usually for a few dollars, but sometimes for free.

 

[married@wdw]

Disney will publish a booklet with the complete schedule. This booklet will be available at the entrance to Epcot.

This is EXACTLY what I needed to know. We'll be arriving Monday evening, staying at the Boardwalk, so I'll head over to the gate that night before dinner to see if I can get a schedule. We'll have most of the day Tuesday and Wednesday, plus some time the following Sunday.

Anybody remember if these schedules are printed daily, weekly or are the events the same every day (or day of the week) for the whole festival?

THANKS! I'm getting more excited by the minute.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Anybody remember if these schedules are printed daily, weekly or are the events the same every day (or day of the week) for the whole festival?

The booklet is for the whole festival.

For wine tastings and culinary demos, the descriptions in the booklet are very brief — a topic name and the name of the presenter. Each morning, on a board outside each venue, a more detailed description is posted about each tasting and demo.

Also, there are cancellations and substitutions after the booklet has been printed. That's another reason to check the boards outside the venues.

Each day is different, and each week is different. Guest winemakers and guest chefs seem to be in town for four of five days, during which time they might participate in one free event, one or two smaller paid events, and a Party for the Senses. Sometimes the same wine tasting will be scheduled more than once over the course of the festival, but most wine tastings are unique.

The Food and Wine Pairings in Morocco, France, Italy, and Japan repeat each week — same food courses and the same wines (or sakes). The Food and Wine Pairings in Canada and the Coral Reef are different each time (although a food course can repeat). The other paid events are each unique.

 

[married@wdw]

Thank you Horace! I'm so very excited now. I've poured over the partial event listing and am leaning toward doing the Italy pairings by myself (DH is not generally a wine drinker and has decided he's not interested). Would it be weird to do one of these events on your own?

Is Banfi always the wine of choice at Italy? I'm hoping so as I know I love the Rosa Regale, so it would be fun to try some others -- I stick with what I know I like at home and rarely experiment, so the festival is a chance to try some new and different things!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Did anyone read the partial events listing on wdwinfo?
There is a listing for A New England Brewer's Tale but no date. I'm on another fact finding mission, now.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Thank you Horace! I'm so very excited now. I've poured over the partial event listing and am leaning toward doing the Italy pairings by myself (DH is not generally a wine drinker and has decided he's not interested). Would it be weird to do one of these events on your own?

It would not be hard to do a Food & Wine Paring by yourself. You'll sit with other people — and it's easy to have a conversation about the Food & Wine Festival, where you're from, and so on. I went to the "Sake, Sushi and Sashimi" pairing by myself two years in a row. (My wife and I have opposite opinions about raw fish.)

Is Banfi always the wine of choice at Italy? I'm hoping so as I know I love the Rosa Regale, so it would be fun to try some others -- I stick with what I know I like at home and rarely experiment, so the festival is a chance to try some new and different things!

I don't know what the wines will be for the Food & Wine Pairing, "Regional Italian Specialties," at L'Originale Alfredo di Roma. The chef and the winemaker (or the sommelier) will pair an appropriate wine with each of three appetizer-sized courses. Last year, the price of a Food & Wine Pairing was $35 per person (plus tax, gratuity included). I hope it's the same this year, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's a little higher.

Although Banfi always seems to be involved with the Food & Wine Festival, other Italian wineries are also involved. You might get a traditional Sangiovese, such as a Chianti Classico. Or you might get something you've never heard of before.

I wouldn't count on Banfi Rosa Regale. (I realize that many people like Rosa Regale. I know is supposed to be a sweet, sparkling, low-alcohol wine, but I find way too sweet for my tastes.) There are so many other Italian wines. And I'm not sure what it would pair well with.

Have fun!

 

[Brocktoon]

Did anyone read the partial events listing on wdwinfo?
There is a listing for A New England Brewer's Tale but no date. I'm on another fact finding mission, now.

Yep, I'm a huge beer lover and the Brewer's tale sounds right up my alley. I'm curious as well for more details. By all means, please post if you find anymore info. Sam Adams isn't exactly top of my list, but it still sounds very interesting to interact with Jim Koch.

 

[CarolA]

I wouldn't count on Banfi Rosa Regale. (I realize that many people like Rosa Regale. I know is supposed to be a sweet, sparkling, low-alcohol wine, but I find way too sweet for my tastes.) There are so many other Italian wines. And I'm not sure what it would pair well with.

Have fun!

CHOCOLATE!

 

[byoung]

Whatever , I will be there the 20th thru the 27th of Oct.

 

[married@wdw]

I wouldn't count on Banfi Rosa Regale. (I realize that many people like Rosa Regale. I know is supposed to be a sweet, sparkling, low-alcohol wine, but I find way too sweet for my tastes.) There are so many other Italian wines. And I'm not sure what it would pair well with.

Have fun!

Actually Horace, I've been reading a lot of reviews from previous Italy pairings and every review had Banfi as the winery and Rosa Regale as the wine with the dessert course. That's why I was asking if Banfi is always the vineyard at the Italy pairings events. I've actually read that Banfi sells more Rosa Regale at Disney than anywhere else in the world! Our Victoria at V&A last time actually mentioned it for the lightweights in the group and we were hooked! Though I'm willing to try anything!!!

So, does anybody remember how far in advance the published the schedule of daily events??? I'm guessing it won't be out by July 31st, right? I was thinking that I'd love to see it before I book any paid events, in case there's something DH and I might like -- I'd rather stick together if at all possible to share the experience.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Actually Horace, I've been reading a lot of reviews from previous Italy pairings and every review had Banfi as the winery and Rosa Regale as the wine with the dessert course. That's why I was asking if Banfi is always the vineyard at the Italy pairings events.

Interesting. Based on your comments, I did a quick Google search and found an example of such a review: http://allearsnet.com/tp/ep/fw05/fw05_pair.htm

So, although there's no guarantee that Banfi will again supply all the wines for the Italian Food and Wine Pairing, I would not be surprised if Banfi is back again this year.

So, does anybody remember how far in advance the published the schedule of daily events??? I'm guessing it won't be out by July 31st, right? I was thinking that I'd love to see it before I book any paid events, in case there's something DH and I might like -- I'd rather stick together if at all possible to share the experience.

As far as I know, the booklet has never been available until the first day of the event.

 

[rinkwide]

...Sam Adams isn't exactly top of my list...

You'll gain a whole new perspective after the brewer's dinner, I did. It's a 7 course meal paired with 8 or 9 excellent beers from the Boston Beer Company, including the amazing (and $120 per pint) Utopias. Try not to miss it.

 

[eeyore45]

I'm still impatient!! I can only imagine...

 

[renegade7]

I went to the "Sake, Sushi and Sashimi" pairing by myself two years in a row. (My wife and I have opposite opinions about raw fish.)

What is the Sake, Sushi and Sashimi like? I am tempted to try, however I am just coming around to raw fish. I usually try some when I go out with friends for Sushi. However, I love Sake.

 

[vascubaguy]

What is the Sake, Sushi and Sashimi like? I am tempted to try, however I am just coming around to raw fish. I usually try some when I go out with friends for Sushi. However, I love Sake.

Couple glasses of sake and you won't care what the rest tastes like.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

What is the Sake, Sushi and Sashimi like? I am tempted to try, however I am just coming around to raw fish. I usually try some when I go out with friends for Sushi. However, I love Sake.

See "Sake, Sushi, and Sashimi," October 10, 2005, at AllEarsNet. It's an informative and well written review. I attended in 2004 and 2005. The menus were similar but different between the two years, so I would expect some changes again for 2006. They had the freshly grated wasabi both years, and I hope they'll do that again this year.

 

[fwm]

I
So, although there's no guarantee that Banfi will again supply all the wines for the Italian Food and Wine Pairing, I would not be surprised if Banfi is back again this year.

Actually, the food and wine presented at the Italian Food and Wine Pairing is not the same each week. Banfi is not there every week. If there is a different winery they will have different food offerings. We have been to Banfi and others.