Combining wine and travel has been a passion of mine for years. For me, there are few experiences more enjoyable than teaching people about wine geography and grape varietals, and encouraging them to explore the countryside and to participate actively in wine tourism. So why an article about a theme park festival? There's actually a lot of wine exploration here.
Readers might be surprised to learn that Walt Disney World is actually one of the largest single-license purveyors of wine in the world and that fine wine has always played a prominent role in Epcot Center's World Showcase restaurants. While enophiles (lovers of wine) on any level may not typically expect to expand their wine knowledge during a Disney trip, Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival is the perfect time for wine novices to learn the basics of wine and for wine aficionados to challenge their taste buds and pair wines from an international hosts of countries ranging from Morocco to New Zealand.
Getting Organized
Now in its 15th year, the 45 day festival (October 1st-November 14th) combines hosted wine education seminars, celebrity culinary demonstrations, and live entertainment in multiple, overlapping formats that guests can personalize to fit their interests. Epcot is large and it helps to be organized and oriented. The park is divided into two main areas: Future World and World Showcase. While most of the Food and Wine Festival takes place in World Showcase, a visit should begin at the Festival Welcome Center in Future World. Disney Event Content Development Area Manager, Marianne Hunnel, offers a tip by saying that guests should be sure to pick up their Discovery Passports at the Welcome Center which is new to the Festival this year. The Discovery Passport will help guests track their wine and culinary experiences and provide a unique keepsake once their visit is done.
The Welcome Center is the location for wine education seminars and tastings (additional ticket required), book and bottle signings, culinary demonstrations (additional ticket required), and Seasons of the Vine. At the wine seminars, participants will learn wine basics from a featured winery principle and also sample selected vintages. The tickets for these seminars go quickly, and Hunnel recommends that they be purchased online in advance.
The culinary demonstrations are also popular, and this year's will be of special interest to Cuisine Noir readers. Says Hunnel, "We have chefs from all over the world creating many dishes," including, "several chefs that will be creating dishes inspired by…African American heritage." Some of the chefs to watch for at the Festival are Jeff Henderson, Rock Harper, Warren Brown, Chef Rome (Jerome Brown), Ron Duprat, Pierre Thiam, and Ted Siegel. In addition, Cuisine Noir's own, Maria Hunt, will be presenting at the Festival, so be sure not to miss her!
An International Showcase for Wine
It would be easy to spend the day inside the Festival Welcome Center, but there's also a lot of wine (and beer) being featured in World Showcase in several themed pavilions and "marketplace kiosks." Located around a 40-acre lagoon, the Promenade provides a chance for both knowledge and adventure and guests can follow the recommended pairings or create some of their own. For example, in Morocco, try the beef or falafel pita pocket with the country's Amazigh Red wine; or in Korea, sample Lettuce Wraps with Roast Pork and Kimchi Slaw with Bohae Bokbunjajoo (black raspberry rice wine). Those new tastes compliment old favorites like Escargots Persillade en Brioche paired with Chardonnay in France or Baked Cheese Ravioli and Chianti in Italy.
There are also kiosks focused on champagne paired with desserts, beer paired with hearty Boston foods, and cheese with several featured pairings. This is all in addition to the country pavilions in the World Showcase which have a variety of fine restaurants, cafés and beer gardens. Visitors should note that seats go quickly for the popular restaurants like Les Chefs de France in France, Via Napoli in Italy and Le Cellier in Canada. Make reservations as soon as you arrive at Epcot or from your Walt Disney World hotel.
And Don't Forget…
Food and wine go even better with music, and Epcot has a concert series called Eat to the Beat that runs during the Food and Wine Festival. Acts this year include, among others, Boys II Men, John Secada, Billy Ocean and Kool and the Gang. And for those very serious about wine, Disney is introducing something new this year called the Grape Getaway, an exclusive four day, three night conference event during the Food and Wine Festival. For those wanting more than just the theme park experience, the Grape Getaway will have selected meals, pairing and meetings with wine and culinary experts from around the world. And while there's no wine for children, there is a series of events and activities called "Kidcot" especially designed for families with children.
This year promises to be the largest International Food and Wine Festival ever and with shorter lines for attractions in Epcot (including the return of Captain EO starring Michael Jackson, the Living Seas with Nemo and the thrilling Mission: Space), fall is a perfect time for a vacation.
For California readers, Disney's California Adventure has also started its own California Food and Wine Festival, with the 2011 dates being April 29-June 12.
Resources to help you plan (just click on the resource name):
Eat to the Beat Concert Series
