La Grande Dégustation de Montréal offers a world tour in just three days!
MONTREAL, Oct. 11, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - On November 8th, 9th and 10th, La Grande Dégustation de Montréal is the dream destination for amateurs of wine, beer and spirits. For a second year in a row they have the opportunity to discover, taste and appreciate over 1200 world products. According to restaurateur Carlos Ferreira, spokesperson for this year's celebrated country, Portugal, "whether you're a restaurateur or an amateur, La Grande Dégustation de Montréal is an impressive event that offers people the possibility to meet producers and to discover new products."
La Grande Dégustation de Montréal 2012, along with Carlos Ferreira and Jessica Harnois, president of the Canadian association of professional sommeliers, are featured on: http://youtu.be/xlv5EFlt56g
La Grande Dégustation de Montréal is presented by l'Association québécoise des agences de vins, bières et spiritueux (AQAVBS) and la Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ). Considered "the wine" event of the year in Québec, the convention promises to be a great adventure in the company of more than 210 producers from twenty countries. For three days, they will present more than 1200 products, of which hundreds are exclusive private importations.
A date with quality and diversity
With grands crus, wines from emerging countries, rare rums, original beers, champagnes and underrated sparkling wines, La Grande Dégustation de Montréal is an event that is sure to please all types of epicureans. "Quebecers are becoming more informed, interested and open to the world of wine, beer and spirits and to the pleasures of fine dining," declares Lucien Davalan, president of l'AQAVBS, "and our objective is to expand their knowledge." With tastings, free conferences and gastronomical products to discover on location, La Grande Dégustation de Montréal is a choice destination.
Three remarkable guests
Like last year La Grande Dégustation de Montréal places the spotlight on a wine-producing country while also highlighting two themes that have worldwide appeal. This year, La Grande Dégustation de Montréal offers a trio that guarantees wonderful discoveries: Portugal, which holds a richness of wines that have yet to be discovered, the cabernet-sauvignon, the most widespread wine variety in the world, and rum.
The Portugal: A land to discover
Who else than Carlos Ferreira to take on the role of spokesperson for La Grande Dégustation de Montréal but our most famous Portuguese restaurateur? His restaurants, Ferreira Café and FBar, are known for their impressive selection of Portuguese wines. "I am very pleased that La Grande Dégustation de Montréal is putting the spotlight on my native country and I'm convinced that visitors will be thrilled to smell and taste the richness of this land that I am so fond of." Recognized by connoisseurs for providing exceptional quality for reasonable prices, Portuguese wines remain largely unknown. For example, few know that Portugal is home to the most ancient officially demarcated wine region in the world, the Douro region.
Rum, stopover
A legendary spirit, known to have made sailors sing, rum is gaining popularity among the masses and connoisseurs are appreciating its subtlety more and more. Made with molasses or sugar cane, this sugar-based alcohol, which has served as trading currency and as pay to sailors, is tasted only when aged, just like the best cognacs or the most refined Brandies. Which of all the Caribbeans islands is the best rum-producer? Cuba, Haiti, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tabago? They all claim to distill the best… It's up to you to come and decide.
Cabernet-sauvignon: a world citizen
Originally from Bordeaux this wine, along with the merlot, is the most cultivated in the world, but today it also calls California its second home, followed by Chili as a close third. This wine does not like solitude and likes to be accompanied by merlot and cabernet franc. Delicate and dependant on warm climates, it helps produce excellent aged wines, as long as it's being vinified and grown with a lot of attention. From Australia to Russia and Lebanon to British-Columbia, the cabernet-sauvignon is a world citizen who is reason alone to visit La Grande Dégustation de Montréal!
L'AQAVBS
Founded in 1969, Association québécoise des agences de vins, bières et spiritueux (AQAVBS) groups together a total of 78 members, including 62 agencies representing over 95% of all products on offer at SAQ. AQAVBS member agencies generate over 1000 direct jobs and spawn opportunities for any number of communications industry suppliers involved in promoting SAQ products. Agents work on behalf of producers to develop the Québec market.
La Grande Dégustation de Montréal - General Information
Schedule and costs: La Grande Dégustation de Montréal will take place on Thursday the 8th, Friday the 9th and Saturday the 10th of November, 2012 at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal, 1001 Place Jean-Paul Riopelle close to Place-D'Armes metro. The event will be open to the public from 4:00 P.M to 9:00 P.M. on the 8th of November and from 12:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. on the 9th and 10th of November. The entrance, reserved for people 18 years and older, costs $15 (includes the visitor's guide and a tasting glass). There are additional costs for tastings and these depend on the products. New this year! Pre-sale tickets are available for $13 at 77 SAQ stores in the greater Montreal area. The list of stores is available on saq.com or lagrandedegustation.com.
Three-day passport: a passport allowing access to the three days of the event, including a period set-aside for professionals, will be offered for a cost of $30 (tastings are not included). The passport is offered on saq.com or on La Grande Dégustation de Montréal web site.
Reserved period: hoteliers and restaurateurs as well as passport holders will have the opportunity to mingle with exhibitors and producers in a privileged setting by attending the reserved period on Thursday November 8th, from noon to 4:00 P.M.
Purchase of products: private importation products will be available to order at La Grande Dégustation de Montréal. These will be available for purchase and delivered at home by Canada Post no later than December 1st. The cost is of $6 per parcel (12 bottles or less from one or more producer), and payment is only by credit card. All the other products tasted during the show will be available for purchase in SAQ stores.
For more information, consult www.lagrandedegustation.com or send an email to [email protected].
Video with caption: "La grande dégustation de Montréal 2012". Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlv5EFlt56g&feature=youtu.be
Image with caption: "The exhibit's clear layout and well-displayed signposts take the visitors of La Grande Dégustation de Montréal on a pleasant journey filled with fruitful discoveries (CNW Group/Grande Dégustation de Montréal)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121011_C5914_PHOTO_EN_19111.jpg
SOURCE: Grande Dégustation de Montréal
Sources:
Claude Marie Bédard
Association québécoise des agences de vins, bières et spiritueux
Media Relations:
Marie Bouchard
Viviane Roy Communications
514 982-9100 / [email protected]
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