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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Sunday, October 28, 2007 Whistler swirls together best of wine and food By Jeff Wicklund Special to The Herald Wine is always best experienced when it's accompanied with food that accentuates the subtleties of the fermented fruit. This is far and away the main reason most people gravitate toward the world of wine as a regular (in my case daily) affirmation of culinary correctness. I can still hear that audible "click" in my inner epicurean ear when the right wine dances a perfect palate samba with a beautifully prepared dish. This union is worthy of a celebration, if not a life quest for duplication. Of course, this harmoniously perfect union of wine and food is a wonderfully rare occurrence. Somewhat like ice wines in Washington, it just doesn't happen all the time -- which in itself is correct, as we can't have peaks without valleys. But there is a world-class celebration of wine and food brewing among the peaks of British Columbia, where one can be totally immersed in a feast for the senses. Whistler's annual Cornucopia is indeed a sensory overloaded celebration of that epicurean "click" that is so coveted and so seldom duplicated. Renowned as a year-round destination resort, Whistler receives well-deserved, consistent raves for offering the best in amazing accommodations, incredible ski runs and any other form of outdoor activities, however frivolous, and of course, an array of great restaurants and exquisite fine dining. Every November the resort hosts Cornucopia and offers an amazing opportunity to take a big bite out of culinary and viniferous correctness, while rubbing shoulders, mixing, mingling and learning from acclaimed chefs, sommeliers and restaurateurs. There are grand tastings involving 75 or more wineries and dozens of restaurants. There are elegant winemaker diners in multi-million dollar estates, intimate educational seminars on wine and food, and extravagant, risque, late night "After Parties" involving beautiful models wearing airbrushed advertising and little else. Cornucopia is a buffet for the senses, and, in its eleventh year, Cornucopia promises to be bigger, better and more deliciously decadent than ever before, with an expanded lineup of delectable wine and food offerings, plus extended dates. For the first time, the festival will run from Thursday through Monday (Nov. 8-12) to accommodate the number of activities planned. This year also marks the expansion of Cornucopia's signature event, the "Crush" Gala Grand Tasting. It's being held on two nights, to accommodate the huge demand for tickets to this ultimate wine and food extravaganza. The sumptuous, multi-course winemaker dinners held at private residences are a perfect marriage of glamour and intimacy. And this year will feature a couple of wineries from Woodinville, Matthews Cellars and DeLille Winery, which will partner with two of B.C.'s premier, world-class restaurants. There are trips to organic farms in the area with top chefs to orchestrate a "field to table" meal preparation seminar. Add in Cornucopia's artisan market, the amazing multi-media art show "ARTrageous" and live musical performances everywhere you turn, and this festival becomes one of the West Coast's premier events dedicated to the miracle marriage of wine and food. Only a few hours and a boarder crossing away, Cornucopia merges and condenses the ever elusive perfect experience into a long weekend of glutinous glitz and mirth. Sold? Tickets to several of the events are still available and there are two-night packages that include accommodation and early entry to Crush!, starting at $189. It's your chance to be right in the middle of all the Cornucopia glamour and gastronomy. Details at www.whistlercornucopia.com or 800-WHISTLER. Jeff Wicklund can be reached at 425-737-2600, 360-756-0422 or wick@purplesmilewines.com.

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