04.12.03
Marriage of wine and food will make 2004 unique

More than 250 quality wines and some of the region's best food products are to be brought together to make the 2004 Cornwall Wine and Fine Food Fair an unmissable and unique event.

The fair, which is being held at St Mellion International Golf and Country Club near Saltash on 17-18 February, is being billed as the ultimate 'one-stop-shop' for hotels, pubs and restaurants looking for new ideas and excellence in food and drink.

The event is being organised by Castang Wine Shippers in partnership with Objective One project Cornwall Taste of the West, which piloted the introduction of a separate food hall at the 2003 event earlier this year. The experiment was a resounding success and, as a result, some of Cornwall's top producers will be attending the 2004 fair to showcase their fine food products alongside a huge selection of wines from all over the world.

"There is no other event in the South West where you can taste 250 different wines, let alone sample some of the region's best food at the same time,” says David Hearnden of Castang Wine Shippers. "For anyone putting together a menu or wine list, or who just enjoys fine food and drink, this is an essential sampling and sourcing opportunity.”

The Cornwall Wine and Fine Food Fair is one of the most successful regional events of its kind in the UK, and is expected to attract more than 2000 trade and public visitors in 2004.

Event highlights include a series of tutored wine tastings conducted by wine writer and broadcaster Stephen Barrett. These will be followed each day by Cheesy Tales and Tastings, led by Stephen Gunn of The Cheese Shop in Truro, who will be holding tutored tastings of the growing range of top quality regional cheeses.

Cornwall Taste of the West will also be launching the 2004 edition of trade food directory Cornwall Foodfinder at the show. Dartington Crystal will be showcasing its outstanding range of glassware, including wine glasses and decanters, and there will also be a large exhibition of art and craft products from Devon and Cornwall.

Entry to the Cornwall Wine and Fine Food Fair is free but a ticket only event. Tickets can be requested from either Castang Wine Shippers on 01503 220359 or Cornwall Taste of the West on 01579 349363.

Editor's notes:

The tutored wine tastings with Stephen Barrett need to be booked in advance by contacting Castang Wine Shippers on 01503 220359. Entry to the Cheesy Tales and Tastings sessions is free and does not need to be pre-booked.
The event will be supporting The Children's Hospice Southwest, with opportunities for donations at the fair

The following wine producers and agencies will be represented at the fair:

Cornwall / Devon

Camel Valley, Cornwall

Sharpham, Devon

France

Le Cep Francais, Languedoc

Caves de Sigoules, Bergerac

Comte de Bosredon, Monbazillac

Mommessin, Beaujolais/Burgundy

Laurent Mazeau, Bordeaux

Sabourin Freres, Bordeaux

Jean Medeville, Bordeaux

Jean Douillard, Muscadet Sur Lie

Max Meunier, Touraine

Donatien Bahuaud, Loire

Champagne Pol Roger/Roederer

Cognacs by Ets Martayrol

Gaillac, Monluc

Dupond, Rhone

Alsace, Schlumberger

Le Cedre. Cahors

Sequinot-Bordet, Chablis    

Australia

Thomson Estate, South Australia

Bethany wines, Barossa Valley

Wyndham Estate, NSW

Penfolds & Lindemans, S. Australia

Rockford, South Australia

Capel Vale, Western Australia

New Zealand

Jane Hunter, Marlborough

Seifried Estate, Nelson

Rossendale, Canterbury    

Chile

Concha Y Toro, Maipo

Cousino Macul, Santiago

Undurraga, Colchagua    

USA

Sutter Home, California

Montevina, California

Firesteed, Oregon

Wente, California

South Africa

Dieu Donne, Franschhoek

Two Oceans, Cape

Bergsig Estate, Breede River

La Motte, Bergkelder

Portugal

Ramos Pinto, Ports

D'Oliveiras, Madeira

Dao, Vinho Verde, Alentejo

Douro, Ribatejo

Spain

Antonio Barbadillo, Sherry

Rioja Alta, Rioja

Bodegas Muerza, Rioja/Navarra

Tarragona/Valdepenas

Germany

Kesselstatt, Mosel

Meyer, Nahe

Italy

Fratelli Pasqua

Remo Farina

Conti Serristori

Vinicola Apollonio

Argentina

Etchart

Tres Marias

Hungary

Crown Estate, Tokaji    

And many more

The following food producers will be attending the show (more to be confirmed in early 2004):

Cornish Country Meats (Liskeard) - venison, wild boar, beef, pork and lamb

Boddingtons (Mevagissy) - strawberry conserve and jam

Cornish Cheese Company (Liskeard) - farmhouse cheeses

Trenance Chocolates (Mullion) - luxury handmade chocolates

Cornish Orchards (Liskeard) - apple juice

Cornish Farmhouse Cheeses (Penryn) - handmade farmhouse cheeses

Atlantis Foods (Penryn) - smoked fish and meats

Just Water (Bodmin) - Cornish spring water

Lydia's Cottage Industries (Redruth) - preserves, chutneys and baking

Tregida Smokehouse (Launceton) - smoked fish and meats

Helford Creek (Helston) - apple juice

Cornish Treats (St Austell) - gift baskets

Kilhallon Quality Meats (Par) - traditional and rare breed sausages

Carnon Valley Conserves (Truro) - variety of locally produced conserves

Cornish Meadow Preserves (Coverack) - traditionally made preserves

Castang Wine Shippers, based near Looe, is an independent family business established in 1979. It will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2004. The company imports and supplies wines and grape-based spirits to hotels and restaurants, other merchants and an active private and corporate customer base. David Hearnden has been involved in the wine trade for 38 years and runs the business with his wife Janet, two sons Jonathan and Philip, and daughter in law Mel. The company operates throughout South West England, and has accounts and franchises in other areas of the country. Its portfolio of wines expands annually with selections from wine areas throughout the world. Many of the 400 wines listed are exclusive to Castang. The long-term involvement with the wine trade enables the family to provide a wide range of business skills, a comprehensive service and sound advice to clients.

Cornwall Taste of the West is a £3 million Objective One umbrella project, funded by the European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund (EAGGF), the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) and private matched funding. It is part of the Taste of the West regional food group. Cornwall Taste of the West's four year project includes a trade development programme and a marketing grants scheme, available to small and medium sized food businesses that produce, sell or process foods in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Veronica Newport
npr
Tel: 01363 866927
Fax: 01363 866093
Mob: 07808 063053

Jason Clark
Communications Adviser
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Tel: 01872 241379
Fax: 01872 241388
objectiveone@cornwall.gov.uk