How to Go
What: The International Wine Festival at Jungle Jim’s
Where: Jungle Jim’s International Market, 5440 E. Dixie Highway, Fairfield
When: Nov. 8-9, 7-10 p.m.
Cost: $65 (Grand Tasting), $100 (Connoisseur), $25 (Non-drinker)
More Info: (513) 674-6000, or www.junglejims.com.
The International Wine Festival at Jungle Jim’s is upon us once again, and the food and spirits superstore is making special accommodations for the most serious of wine consumers.
“The ‘Connoisseur’ section will be a section within the room that will be sectioned off,” said Ed Vinson, Jungle Jim’s Beer and Operations Manager. “There will be a lot of exclusive, high-end wines and lots of appetizers. There will be an open bar. We don’t like to use the name ‘VIP,’ just because it’s gotten old.”
Fortunately, there will still be plenty of vin for those who don’t wish to upgrade. As in previous years, the Grand Tasting will involve 400 wines from 90 vineries. The states, countries, and regions represented include: Italy, Spain, Germany, France, California, the U.S. Pacific Northwest, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Africa.
Some of the local wineries included are Valley Vineyards, which is just down the road at Morrow, Ohio, Elk Creek Vineyards, the largest winery in Kentucky, Vinoklet Winery, located on Colerain Avenue in Cincinnati, and the Easley and Oliver Wineries of Indiana.
The Grand Tasting ticket also includes a souvenir tasting glass, a wine guide, and water and coffee whenever you need a break.
“It’s very much an educational event,” Vinson said. “There will be representatives of wineries from throughout the world. They will be pouring the wines, and helping people to learn how a Chardonnay from France differs from a Chardonnay from California.”
Enhancing the atmosphere will be live jazz music and food pairings such as cheeses and olives. The festival attracts a lot of couples, and Vinson said the ratio of male-female attendance is about even.
Designated drivers can purchase a discounted ticket, enjoying soda, food pairings, water and coffee. Beer will be available from a cash bar.
The International Wine Festival will also, again, be offering the Purchase Passport. If you sample a wine and love it, you can order any number of bottles you’d like on the spot. The vendor will take down your passport number, place the order, and after approximately one week, Jungle Jim’s will give you a call saying that you can pick up your wine. The wines at the festival will range in price from less than $10 to $200.
“It is very different from most tasting events,” Vinson said. “At most of them, you have to buy it elsewhere. But with us, you can buy it here and have your wine in time for Thanksgiving.”
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