Join the Food Network’s Lynn Crawford and wine experts Rod Phillips and Janet Dorozynski for a glittering opening night devoted to gold medal wines and the best in holiday entertaining.

Start the evening by blind tasting gold medal winning wines from the Ottawa Wine Challenge and casting your vote for Ottawa’s Favourite Red and Favourite White!

Then join Chef and television host Lynn Crawford in Festival Kitchen as she prepares and you enjoy tastings of a delicious 4-course holiday wine and food pairing.

Sponsored by Inniskillin

If beer is your beverage, Ottawa’s local microbreweries want to make a believer out of you!  Join us at the National Irish Canadian Cultural Centre.  Come meet the brew masters who make beer around here, sample their finest,and enjoy artisan munchies.

Tasting tickets available for purchase.

A first for Ottawa – come see the national unveiling of the Wine Access 2011 Canadian Wine Awards presented by Co-Head Judges and two of Canada’s most respected wine commentators – Anthony Gismondi and David Lawrason. Then experience the winning wines yourself by meeting with personalities from outstanding Canadian wineries in a unique “speed dating” format. Meet these award-winning winemakers face-to-face for eight 10-minute discovery sessions where you will not only taste their award-winning wines but you’ll hear their fascinating stories. You’ll be the first to hear about these winners and you’ll get a copy of the 2011 results.

Presented by Wine Access Magazine

The Festival’s Tasting Floor at the new Ottawa Convention Centre is bigger and better than ever! And it’ll be open an hour longer. Your Festival Day Pass gives you a souvenir ISO tasting glass and access to the Tasting Floor, where you can sample over 1400 wines, beers and spirits from around the globe, taste culinary delights from here and abroad, and enjoy free how-to seminars at the Festival Kitchen.

Advance ticket holders receive priority entrance.  Limited number of tickets available at the door.

Tasting tickets available for purchase.

All-new for this year’s Festival, Culinary Theatre is hosted by the Canadian Culinary Chefs Federation. The CCFCC Team will prepare the 4-course wine and food pairing created for the famed James Beard House in New York City for sampling by guests. Guests will have the opportunity to meet members of the local chapter of the Federation – many of whom are popular Ottawa chefs.

Day Pass included. 

The Ottawa Wine and Food Festival invites all veterans to join us after the ceremony at the National War Memorial for a special tribute presented in partnership with the Ottawa Convention Centre, Rideau Centre, Lifford Wines and Kichesippi Beer Co. Sample wines, beers, scotch and food as we pay tribute to all veterans.

By invitation only. Please call to register 613-523-6356.

Join the Dean of Caesars, Len Fragomeni, in this 45-minute class where you get to go behind the bar and learn, hands-on, how to make 4 different Caesar recipes including using various spirits, garnish and bartending techniques. Enjoy some savoury snacks while learning about Canada’s Cocktail and take home a small gift from Mott’s Clamato!

$10 per person. Day Pass required.

Register here. 

Be delighted and inspired as you learn how to prepare the favourite dishes of celebrity chefs from top restaurants and cookbook authors at the Festival Kitchen. It’s good fun and a great way to learn culinary techniques – and walk away with great free recipes!

All-new for this year’s Festival, Culinary Theatre is hosted by the Canadian Culinary Chefs Federation. The CCFCC Team will prepare the 4-course wine and food pairing created for the famed James Beard House in New York City for sampling by guests. Guests will have the opportunity to meet members of the local chapter of the Federation – many of whom are popular Ottawa chefs.

Day Pass included.

Learn the steps to assessing wine. Then exercise your senses by tasting different wine styles and grape varieties from some of the most popular wine regions around the world. Discover how wine making techniques influence the taste of a wine by tasting two red and two white varietals from different regions.  Sample one of Canada’s finest ice wines and learn about the extensive process that makes this wine so unique.  Learn about Champagne and taste an alternative that will fit anyone’s budget.  These varying styles of wine are sure to develop your wine tasting skills!

Presenter: Ashley Quesnel, LCBO Product Consultant

Niagara played host to the first international cool climate chardonnay symposium this summer, and poured an array of chards as compelling as any from around the world. This seminar lines up great examples of various styles with an emphasis on the stunningly complex and powerful barrel fermented versions that would turn heads in Burgundy.

Presenter: David Lawrason, wine writer Toronto and Ottawa Life Magazine, Wine Align, educator, wine judge

All-new for this year’s Festival, Culinary Theatre is hosted by the Canadian Culinary Chefs Federation. The CCFCC Team will prepare the 4-course wine and food pairing created for the famed James Beard House in New York City for sampling by guests. Guests will have the opportunity to meet members of the local chapter of the Federation – many of whom are popular Ottawa chefs.

Day Pass included.

Have you ever wondered what makes a gold medal winning wine or wanted to know more about the inner workings of a wine competition? Join Ottawa Wine Challenge co-chair and co-head judge Janet Dorozynski for a tasting of gold medal winners and the Best Red and Best White of the Ottawa Wine Challenge (OWC), the wine competition of the Ottawa Wine and Food Festival.  The OWC receives hundreds of wine entries though less than a few dozen are awarded gold medals.

Presenter: Janet Dorozynski, Co-Chair Ottawa Wine Challenge, Wine Advisor, Ottawa Wine and Food Festival, certified wine educator and international wine judge

Have you gone green? Are you interested in organic wines? Want to learn more about biodynamic wines? If so, join Alexander Gaunt, Ontario and Eastern Canada Director for Trialto Wines, to compare and contrast the differences between wines made using sustainable, organic and biodynamic practices. Among the wines tasted will be Parducci Sustainable Red from California, Southbrook Vineyards of Ontario Connect Red and White and Ravine Vineyards York Road White and Redcoat Red.

Presenter: Alexander Gaunt, Ontario & Eastern Canada Director for Trialto Wines

Always a sell-out, the Tasting Alley is a two-hour tasting that allows a limited number of participants to sample over 75 wines from around the world and indulge in individual tasting plates featuring gourmet food stations created by the Canadian Culinary Federation. Featuring industry guests who answer questions and assist in appreciating this special experience.  This is a grazing event and food served does not constitute a full meal.

Tasting Alley ticket includes:

• Dedicated VIP Entrance – No Lineups!
• The Two-Hour Tasting
• Dedicated Concierge
• Access to the H2O Lounge
• A Day Pass to the Tasting Floor
• Complimentary Coat Check

All-new for this year’s Festival, Culinary Theatre is hosted by the Canadian Culinary Chefs Federation. The CCFCC Team will prepare the 4-course wine and food pairing created for the famed James Beard House in New York City for sampling by guests. Guests will have the opportunity to meet members of the local chapter of the Federation – many of whom are popular Ottawa chefs.

Day Pass included.

Penfolds is an iconic name in the world of wine, producing the most famous of the country’s wines. This intimate tasting event will showcase a range of Shiraz releases from Penfolds ‘Bin’ series and luxury tier. Highlights include the iconic Penfolds Grange and its counterpoints, the single region RWT, the pure-fruited St.Henri Shiraz and the single vineyard Magill Estate Shiraz. Discover a collection of wines that encapsulates the experimentation of this historic winery, each distinctly different in its balance of fruit, oak and regionality.

Presenter: Angela Lyons, Penfolds Brand Director, and Rod Phillips, wine columnist, Ottawa Citizen

Chris Hatcher leads this pairing of five of Australia’s finest wines with delicious food tastings. Chris has been Chief Winemaker at Wolf Blass since 1997, and has made wine for over a quarter century. He and Wolf Blass wines have won the International Winemaker of the year award at London’s International Wine & Spirits competition, and Chris is recognized as one of Australia’s most respected wine judges. Don’t miss this pairing with one of the wine world’s most accomplished experts.

In the last few years, Austria has made a splash in the world of wine. Grüner Veltliner, the flagship grape of Austria, which generally makes easy-drinking, crisp, fruity and extremely food-friendly whites, has become a favourite for many wine consumers all over the world.  But although the Austrian flag has twice as much red as white, white dominates the country’s wine production, and this tasting will focus on some of what Austrian winemakers do best. Taste a range of grüner veltliners in several distinctive styles, together with other whites, representing a number of Austria’s top wine regions.

Presenter: Véronique Rivest, Best Sommelier in Québec, 2006; Best Sommelier in Canada, 2006; wine journalist and educator, Radio Canada, Le Droit.

Put on your boots and coats and hop aboard the bus for an all-new event that takes the food experience further afield!  You’ll board a hosted bus at the Ottawa Convention Centre, travel to and tour three local farms – Upper Canada Cranberries, Clarmell on the Rideau – Goat Cheese Farm, and O’Brien’s Beef Farm.  The final stop at O’Brien’s will include a delicious 3 course locavore lunch, paired with award winning Huff Estates Wine and served in the O’Brien’s Farm drive shed.  Meet Huff Estates winemaker Frederic Picard.

Foodies in the Field Ticket Includes :

• Round trip transportation from the Ottawa Convention Centre
• 3 Farm Visits with Sampling, 3 Course Luncheon and wine tasting
• Dedicated VIP Entrance – No Lineups! A Day Pass to the Tasting Floor
• Dedicated Concierge, Access to the H2O Lounge, Complimentary Coat check

Rain or Shine

The Festival’s Tasting Floor at the new Ottawa Convention Centre is bigger and better than ever! And it’ll be open an hour longer. Your Festival Day Pass gives you access to the Tasting Floor, where you can sample over 1400 wines, beers and spirits from around the globe, taste culinary delights from here and abroad, and enjoy special programming at the Festival Kitchen.

Advance ticket holders receive priority entrance.  Limited number of tickets available at the door.

Sampling tickets available for purchase.

New in 2011 hand-picked selections for the consumer to sip and savour.

Sampling tickets required

Join the Dean of Caesars, Len Fragomeni, in this 45-minute class where you get to go behind the bar and learn, hands-on, how to make 4 different Caesar recipes including using various spirits, garnish and bartending techniques. Enjoy some savoury snacks while learning about Canada’s Cocktail and take home a small gift from Mott’s Clamato!

$10 per person.  Day Pass required.

Register here.

All-new for this year’s Festival, Culinary Theatre is hosted by the Canadian Culinary Chefs Federation. The CCFCC Team will prepare the 4-course wine and food pairing created for the famed James Beard House in New York City for sampling by guests. Guests will have the opportunity to meet members of the local chapter of the Federation – many of whom are popular Ottawa chefs.

Day Pass included.

Be delighted and inspired as you learn how to prepare the favourite dishes of celebrity chefs from top restaurants and cookbook authors at the Festival’s demonstration kitchen. It’s good fun and a great way to learn culinary techniques – and walk away with great free recipes! On Saturday, November 12th join special guest & celebrity chef Anthony Sedlak, host of the Food Network’s, The Main.

Schedule will be posted October 10, 2011

Spain continues to race towards fulfilling Robert parker’s prediction in 2004 that it would in ten years become the premier performer of the wine world.  Meet six more emerging stars of the vibrant Spanish wine scene.  Savour their quality, value and versatility as Wines from Spain Ambassador, Roger Randolph, takes you on an audiovisual tour of their unique and spectacular terruños, each one worth the detour.

Presenter: Roger Randolph, Spain’s Wine Ambassador in Canada

Discover Mexico’s indigenous spirit and join Daniela Solis of the Tequila Regulatory Council and Stuart Brown, Tequila Brand Ambassador for Diageo, for an informative tasting session on Tequila. Daniela will fill you in on how tequila is made and what to look for when tasting tequila, while mixologist Stuart Brown will lead you through a tasting of various types of tequila and cocktails featuring Jose Cuervo Tequila.

Presenters: Daniela Solis, Tequila Regulatory Council and Stuart Brown, Mixologist and Tequila Brand Ambassador, Diageo.

All-new for this year’s Festival, Culinary Theatre is hosted by the Canadian Culinary Chefs Federation. The CCFCC Team will prepare the 4-course wine and food pairing created for the famed James Beard House in New York City for sampling by guests. Guests will have the opportunity to meet members of the local chapter of the Federation – many of whom are popular Ottawa chefs.

Day Pass included.

Don’t miss this star spangled line up of New York’s finest wines: sensational reds from Long Island and stunning whites from the Finger Lakes. Discover and taste how the maritime climate of Long Island and the cool climate of the Finger Lakes make for wonderful unique wines. Join our two guest winemakers from these two regions and taste a selection of their favourite varietal wines that will make you twinkle.

Presenter: TBC

In the last few years, the number of wine “experts” has grown exponentially and advice on wine floods in from all print and electronic media. Has it gone too far?  Although all “experts” claim to “de-mystify” wine, Rod Phillips argues that they are really over-complicating it. Many have made food and wine pairing seem more difficult than most brain surgery. They describe wine in obscure ways that mean nothing to most consumers. Many score wines in impossibly precise ways. They use terms like “terroir” and “typicity” that get in the way of understanding wine. During this provocative presentation, you’ll taste some great wines that illustrate why it’s time to liberate wine from the “experts.”

Presenter: Rod Phillips, wine author, journalist, judge; wine columnist, Ottawa Citizen; wine panels, CBC Radio Ottawa; contributor: Vines, Wine Access, NUVO, World of Fine Wine.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand, McLaren Vale Shiraz in Australia, Lodi Zinfandel in California, Western Cape Pinotage in South Africa, Niagara Riesling in Canada, Colchagua Valley Carménère in Chile, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Livermore Chardonnay in California. A few regions around the world have chosen to hang their hats on particular grapes varieties. Taste through eight New World benchmark wines and learn what makes them special and how they have adapted to their new homes. In addition, learn how to match these international globetrotters with a wide variety of foods.

Presenter: Mark Donaldson

Join us and discover why The Macallan has been adopted by so many enthusiasts and connoisseurs worldwide as their Single Malt of choice. The Macallan Ambassador in Canada, Marc Laverdiere, will guide you in a tutored tasting of 5 superb Single Malts. You will explore the elements of our production process that contribute to the making of this award winning Scotch, from our curiously small stills to our expensive sherry oak casks along with a unique marrying process that most distilleries have abandoned because too costly and labour intensive. We don’t cut corners at The Macallan and our Scotch is outstanding by purpose, not by coincidence. We make it like that! Everyone at The Macallan is maniacal about making sure that you enjoy, dram after dram, a Malt against which all others should be judged! Come learn about what makes The Macallan what it is and have fun learning about Single Malt Scotch!

Presenter: Marc Laverdiere, Macallan Ambassador in Canada

Wolf Blass is well known for its range of colour-coded wines including the popular Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon. What you may not know is Wolf Blass carved out a significant place in the Australian wine industry with the creation of its signature Black Label blend. First made in 1973 and a four-time Jimmy Watson award winner, Black Label has cultivated a reputation on the world wine stage as a wine of distinction and benchmark of the Wolf Blass winemaking style. Join Chris Hatcher, Chief Winemaker for a rare opportunity to sample a vertical of this blend alongside Grey Label and Platinum Label wines which complete the Wolf Blass luxury collection.

Presenter: Chris Hatcher, Chief Winemaker, Wolf Blass

* A bottle of Wolf Blass Black Label wine autographed by Chris Hatcher, Chief Winemaker for Wolf Blass ($100 value) will be given to everyone attending this session.  Great for cellaring or as a gift.  Priceless!

All-new for this year’s Festival, Culinary Theatre is hosted by the Canadian Culinary Chefs Federation. The CCFCC Team will prepare the 4-course wine and food pairing created for the famed James Beard House in New York City for sampling by guests. Guests will have the opportunity to meet members of the local chapter of the Federation – many of whom are popular Ottawa chefs.

Day Pass included.

Always a sell-out, the Tasting Alley is a two-hour tasting that allows a limited number of participants to sample over 75 wines from around the world and indulge in individual tasting plates featuring gourmet food stations created by the Canadian Culinary Federation. Featuring industry guests who answer questions and assist in appreciating this special experience.  This is a grazing event and food served does not constitute a full meal.

Tasting Alley ticket includes:

• Dedicated VIP Entrance – No Lineups!
• The Two-Hour Tasting
• Dedicated Concierge
• Access to the H2O Lounge
• A Day Pass to the Tasting Floor
• Complimentary Coat Check

There are thousands of wines available, but did you know that there are less than a handful of styles? Join Billy Munnelly for a tasting of nine wines that cover virtually all the styles you’re likely to encounter – and need – in your life. Nine experiences that will turn you into an instant expert. A hot-off-the-press copy of Billy’s Best Bottles for 2012 is included in the price. This is the perfect tasting event to prepare you for touring the Ottawa Wine & Food Festival, and a lifetime of enjoying wine.

Presenter: Billy Munnelly, wine author and educator

* Includes a book

Dolcetto is a grape variety native to Piemonte/Piedmont, in northern Italy. Until recently, it has been overshadowed by other Italian varieties, but it is quickly coming into its own. Dolcetto is best known as a dry, deep-coloured, bright, and flavourful red wine, but it can be made in a surprising range of styles. This tasting brings together a variety of styles from the world’s largest dolcetto producer, Clavesana. Clavesana comprises 350 vintner families, owners of small estates totalling 1400 giornate (Piemontese for acre) of vineyards. The 2011 harvest yielded about 220,000 cases of dolcetto. This is a rare opportunity to taste the different expressions of this too little-known variety from a premier producer.

Presenter:  Anna Bracco, Managing Director, Clavesana; Tessa Donnadieu, Export Manager, Clavesana; Mario Felice Schwenn, Brand Architect, Clavesana

Although Ontario has the right latitude and soil to make great pinot noir, the heartbreak grape remains a work in progress, and always will be. The 2009 vintage however is being hailed in both Niagara and Prince Edward County as Ontario’s best shot at pinot to date. This seminar will present some of the most promising examples and discuss the issues our winemakers and wine drinkers face.

Presenter:  David Lawrason, wine writer Toronto and Ottawa Life Magazine, Wine Align, educator, wine judge

Join the ever-energetic culinary adventurer Bob Blumer for an extraordinary evening filled with fun, surprises and a fabulous 4-course menu served with wines from Argentina! Creator and host of two award-winning Food Network shows – Glutton for Punishment and Surreal Gourmet – and currently working on World’s Weirdest Restaurants, Bob transforms ordinary ingredients into wow-inspiring dishes through simple cooking methods and whimsical presentations.

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind dining experience with the inimitable Bob Blumer!

Bob Blumer’s Surreal Culinary Adverture Ticket includes:

• Dedicated VIP Entrance – No Lineups!
• Dedicated Concierge
• Access to the H2O Lounge
• A Day Pass to the Tasting Floor
• Complimentary Coat check

All-new for this year’s Festival, Culinary Theatre is hosted by the Canadian Culinary Chefs Federation. The CCFCC Team will prepare the 4-course wine and food pairing created for the famed James Beard House in New York City for sampling by guests. Guests will have the opportunity to meet members of the local chapter of the Federation – many of whom are popular Ottawa chefs.

Day Pass included.

All-new for this year’s Festival, Culinary Theatre is hosted by the Canadian Culinary Chefs Federation. The CCFCC Team will prepare the 4-course wine and food pairing created for the famed James Beard House in New York City for sampling by guests. Guests will have the opportunity to meet members of the local chapter of the Federation – many of whom are popular Ottawa chefs.

Day Pass included.

Join award-winning wine author Natalie MacLean for a wine and food pairing event that traces Natalie’s journey’s in her latest book, Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search for the World’s Best Bargain Wines – currently Amazon’s best-selling wine book. Come meet Natalie, tour and taste your way through eight international food and wine pairing wine and food pairing stations, and walk away with an autographed copy of Natalie’s book!

Natalie MacLean’s Vintners’ Brunch Ticket includes:

• Dedicated VIP Entrance – No Lineups!
• Dedicated Concierge
• Access to the H2O Lounge
• A Day Pass to the Tasting Floor
• Complimentary Coat check

The Festival’s Tasting Floor at the new Ottawa Convention Centre is bigger and better than ever! And it’ll be open an hour longer. Your Festival Day Pass gives you access to the Tasting Floor, where you can sample over 1400 wines, beers and spirits from around the globe, taste culinary delights from here and abroad, and enjoy special programming at the Festival Kitchen.

Advance ticket holders receive priority entrance.

Sampling tickets available for purchase.

Join the Dean of Caesars, Len Fragomeni, in this 45-minute class where you get to go behind the bar and learn, hands-on, how to make 4 different Caesar recipes including using various spirits, garnish and bartending techniques. Enjoy some savoury snacks while learning about Canada’s Cocktail and take home a small gift from Mott’s Clamato!

$10 per person. Day Pass required.

Register here.

All-new for this year’s Festival, Culinary Theatre is hosted by the Canadian Culinary Chefs Federation. The CCFCC Team will prepare the 4-course wine and food pairing created for the famed James Beard House in New York City for sampling by guests. Guests will have the opportunity to meet members of the local chapter of the Federation – many of whom are popular Ottawa chefs.

Day Pass included.

Be delighted and inspired as you learn how to prepare the favourite dishes of celebrity chefs from top restaurants and cookbook authors at the show’s demonstration kitchen. It’s good fun and a great way to learn culinary techniques – and walk away with great free recipes! Schedule will be posted October 10, 2011

Join sommelier Melissa Stunden in a sampling of some of the most celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon wine regions. Throughout the tasting, you will compare the differences between new and old world wines as well as the geographical and climatic differences and their effects on the overall style of the Cabernet varietal. The countries/regions regions we will be focusing on are South Africa, Canada, Australia, California, Bordeaux, and Italy.

Presenter: Melissa Stunden, Sommelier

From the northern region of Piedmont to the rolling hills of Tuscany, and the historic Veneto region explore Italy’s famous regions and their wines. Learn about the grape varieties, climate and wine making techniques, that make these wine special. Come take a tour of Italy with LCBO product consultant and wine specialist, Natale Lafaro. We will travel the Peninsula and taste wine from the North east, Northwest, Central and South. Along the way we will taste some great buys and some top wines. Our discussion will revolve around varietals, climate, geography, food matches and cellaring potential.

Presenter: Natale Lafaro, LCBO Product Consultant

All-new for this year’s Festival, Culinary Theatre is hosted by the Canadian Culinary Chefs Federation. The CCFCC Team will prepare the 4-course wine and food pairing created for the famed James Beard House in New York City for sampling by guests. Guests will have the opportunity to meet members of the local chapter of the Federation – many of whom are popular Ottawa chefs.

Day Pass included.

Left Bank or Right Bank? Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot? St Estephe or St Emilion? Join LCBO product consultant, Niki Deol, as she shares wines of various vintages and appellations of Bordeaux and the qualities that make them great. This will help you become a more savvy shopper- discovering gems among thousands of wines.

Presenter:  Niki Deol, LCBO Product Consultant

Ontario’s most widely planted red grape is a great fit climatically but lack of global recognition and a tendency to be ungainly and green have held it back in terms of popularity. A metamorphis is underway with several styles being tested  – lighter inexpensive unoaked editions, expensive elegant ageing styles, appassimento and sweet dessert styles.  Discover why cabernet franc is gaining new respect.

Presenter: David Lawrason, wine writer Toronto and Ottawa Life Magazine, Wine Align, educator, wine judge