22.01.04
Wine and food fair promises to be 'hot ticket' event

Tickets for this year's Cornwall Wine and Fine Food Fair are currently being sent out and organisers are expecting to welcome more than 2000 visitors through the doors at this year's event – one of the most important trade shows in the region.

The fair is being held at the St Mellion International Golf and Country Club on 17 & 18 February. Entry is free, but as a ticket only event would-be visitors who haven't already received a ticket are being urged to contact the organisers to ensure they receive them in time.

The Cornwall Wine and Fine Food Fair is one of the most successful regional events of its kind in the UK, where more than 250 quality wines can be tasted alongside some of the region's best food products. Buyers from Cornwall and Devon's top hotels, pubs and restaurants, as well as individual wine and food enthusiasts, are expected, and are likely to use the event to explore, sample and discuss options that will make the region's menus and wine lists both special and interesting this season.

This year sees the introduction of the event's first cheese master class with Cornwall's only cheesemonger Stephen Gunn. He'll be exploring the heritage and development of both familiar and forgotten Cornish cheese recipes, as well as conducting tutored cheese tastings to reveal the art of achieving a balanced local cheese board. Wine writer and broadcaster Stephen Barrett will also be conducting a master class, incorporating his acclaimed tutored wine tasting sessions.

A new version of Cornwall foodfinder, the dual-format trade directory for local food and drink, is due to be launched at the event with 20% more producers listed making it an even more effective means of putting trade buyers in touch with local businesses.

"It's going to be an action packed event,” says Carol Trewin, manager of Objective One gateway project Cornwall Taste of the West. "There's something for everyone who's interested in food and drink excellence, and much more besides.”

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.

The event is being organised by Castang Wine Shippers in partnership with Cornwall Taste of the West.

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:

For more press information contact Veronica Newport at npr on 01363 866927 or email veronica@n-pr.co.uk

At the event the main press contacts are Sue Sargent (Cornwall Wine & Fine Food Fair) on 07812 561158, Grace Lobb (Cornwall foodfinder) on 07813 930013 and David Hearnden (Castang Wine Shippers) 07710 233963.

Journalists are welcome to attend the event – tickets are being sent out to key contacts and newsdesks. Every effort will be made to facilitate interviews, though advance notice of specific requirements may help.

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 but sessions are likely to be oversubscribed. Advance booking is recommended.

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:

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 gateway project, funded by the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee 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

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