Wine festivals - why they are a waste of time
It's Friday night, and you're looking for something different to do with your friends. You hear there is a "wine festival" at the conference centre downtown, and decide to check it out. For the bargain price of $60, you have the opportunity to try an array of spirits, beers, wines and foods. What you encounter is an absolute gong show for the déclassé, those who have emerged from their bridges and tunnels and have come out to play.
The problem with most wine festivals these days is that the sheer amount of offerings to these consumers is so vast, gluttony takes over. Before you know it, you have consumed infinite ounces of whiskey, beer, and wine and are so publicly intoxicated it is obnoxious.
What most consumers don't realize is that at most booths, you have on average 4 plus wines available to try. Given that most people will try 2 or 3, that's 2 or 3 ounces you're drinking every few minutes. Combine with that shots of whiskey, bourbon, vodka and beer equals sober to obnoxious in very little time at all.
I'm speaking about the average person here of course, but having worked many wine festivals, I encounter this type of behaviour all too often. I am not stereotyping young people either, as I observe this display in many age groups. Often times the older people are some of the worst, consuming so fast and quickly to the point they are slurring and stumbling.
Let's also remember not everyone engages in this behaviour either. I used to attend these festivals to network. Nearly every agency in town is present at most well known festivals, and it was a hay day for me in meeting other reps, managers and snagging business cards in an effort to break into the industry. And it worked - I got a job from networking this way. The reality is very few utilize these festivals for that purpose.
Alternatively, there are many smaller, more intimate tastings that are specific to a region, varietal or vintage that true wine connoisseurs will seek out simply to have the opportunity to try a wine they otherwise would not have, or to meet an iconic producer who may be in town to promote their brand. However, these tend to be exclusive and intimate style tastings not often known to the average consumer.
Having said all this, wine festivals are intended to be fun. Of all the obnoxious people I encounter, there are just as many pleasant, polite folk who are actually interested in the story behind the wine. These are the people who make my job fun.
But let's be honest - you're never going to try that Grange, Screaming Eagle or Krug at a large format wine tasting - that would just be wasteful!
Stay safe,
Lola
The problem with most wine festivals these days is that the sheer amount of offerings to these consumers is so vast, gluttony takes over. Before you know it, you have consumed infinite ounces of whiskey, beer, and wine and are so publicly intoxicated it is obnoxious.
What most consumers don't realize is that at most booths, you have on average 4 plus wines available to try. Given that most people will try 2 or 3, that's 2 or 3 ounces you're drinking every few minutes. Combine with that shots of whiskey, bourbon, vodka and beer equals sober to obnoxious in very little time at all.
I'm speaking about the average person here of course, but having worked many wine festivals, I encounter this type of behaviour all too often. I am not stereotyping young people either, as I observe this display in many age groups. Often times the older people are some of the worst, consuming so fast and quickly to the point they are slurring and stumbling.
Let's also remember not everyone engages in this behaviour either. I used to attend these festivals to network. Nearly every agency in town is present at most well known festivals, and it was a hay day for me in meeting other reps, managers and snagging business cards in an effort to break into the industry. And it worked - I got a job from networking this way. The reality is very few utilize these festivals for that purpose.
Alternatively, there are many smaller, more intimate tastings that are specific to a region, varietal or vintage that true wine connoisseurs will seek out simply to have the opportunity to try a wine they otherwise would not have, or to meet an iconic producer who may be in town to promote their brand. However, these tend to be exclusive and intimate style tastings not often known to the average consumer.
Having said all this, wine festivals are intended to be fun. Of all the obnoxious people I encounter, there are just as many pleasant, polite folk who are actually interested in the story behind the wine. These are the people who make my job fun.
But let's be honest - you're never going to try that Grange, Screaming Eagle or Krug at a large format wine tasting - that would just be wasteful!
Stay safe,
Lola
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