Pop, clink, sip, ahhh. About 25,000 swillers will uncork the 24th annual Maryland Wine Festival this weekend.
The two-day event is the largest of its kind on the East Coast, said Kevin Atticks, executive director of Maryland Wineries Association,which organizes the festival with Carroll County Farm Museum.
This year marks the arrival of a hospitality tent, broadcasting the Ravens game and other match-ups.
“So there?s no excuse not to come,” Atticks said. “It?s a great place to try nearly all of Maryland?s wineries in one spot. It saves wine lovers from traveling to 20 different wineries across the state, buying 200 bottles of wine to figure out what they like.”
Educational seminars are available for curious palates.
The seminars “give people a roadmap or way to approach wine,” said Jack Johnston from Copernica Vineyards. The independent grape-grower shows participants how taste, aroma, color, clarity and aftertaste, or finish, can build a good wine.
People use wine-tasting techniques all the time for other beverages without knowing it, especially when checking milk?s freshness, Johnston said. “The only difference is you?re looking for pleasure in wine, not for faults as with milk.”
The term “grapey” in the wine world is an insult, Johnston added. “Wine is 100 percent grapes, but it should remind you of other complexities such as spices and fruits.”
The best part of the festival for Italian vintner, Mike Fiore, is catching up with his customers from last year, he said.
Born and raised in Calbria, Italy, Fiore is both passionate and analytical about the wine he crafts at his Harford County winery.
“Today, I?ll take some juice to the lab to check its sugar, acidity, pH and other factors,” he said from his vineyard on a quick break from harvesting grapes for what he says may be the best Chardonnay he?s ever made. “All of this will tell you the future of the wine.”
Beyond sampling wines such as Fiore?s specialty, dessert wine Malvasia, festival-goers can watch wine competitions unfold, visit arts and craft vendors and hear reggae, jazz, folk and rock bands.
IF YOU GO
VENUE: Carroll County Farm Museum
WHERE: 500 South Center St, Westminster
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
TICKETS: $20 for adults 21 and older with I.D.
INFO: 410-386-3880
