The Vancouver International Tequila Expo will be taking place Saturday May 12th, truly a do-not-miss event. By attending, you will also be helping the BC Hospitality Foundation. There will be an impressive lineup of quality Tequilas available for tasting, with a varied selection of Tequila brands, styles, and expressions. This will be an excellent opportunity 
to taste the different styles of modern quality Tequilas in one place. Some of the producers represented will be Cabo Wabo, Herenca de Plate and one that has impressed me, Tavi , among many others. The emphasis here is on quality and artisanal producers, many new to British Columbia. This Expo will change your idea of what Tequila is and will definitely raise the profile of Mexico’s premier spirit in our native province.
Whatever you have been led to believe, the agave spirit of Mexico is becoming quality-driven and sophisticated, produced by second and third generation Tequileros across Jalisco, Nayarít and Michoacan. We are now talking about tequilas being barrel aged and low production artisanal products. We are not dealing with shooters here. These are sipping Tequilas on par with Scotch and Bourbon.
There are some excellent seminars to learn more about Tequila. Eric Lorenz, Canada‘s National Tequila Examiner is doing Tequila 101 from 11AM to 12:30PM. Having been to Eric’s seminars, I can attest that this will be an excellent opportunity to really learn how Tequilas are produced and where. We always learn something new from Eric about Tequila. There is also a Seminar on The Ancient Origins Of Agave Spirits from 1PM to 2:30PM.
Platinum Sponsor
The Flavors and Aromas of Barrel-Aged Tequilas
This is a seminar I am not going to miss, a joint effort by Sommelier Tim Ellison of the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts and Eric Lorenz of Lorenz Agave Spirits. Tim is a wine and spirits educator who always entertains while educating. Eric Lorenz is one of the most knowledgeable Mexican spirits instructors in Canada. In this seminar, we will taste 6 premium and ultra-premium 100% agave tequilas, while analyzing differences in barrel toast, maturation time, French vs. American oak, the use of bourbon, scotch, sherry, and wine barrels for tequila aging, and to use their words, ‘so much more!’ The world’s only tequila-specific aroma kit, designed by Maestra Catadora Ana Maria Romero from Guadalajara will be used to help teach about the aromas of tequilas. This seminar will be held at Legacy Liquor Store Tues May 8th from 7PM to 8:30PM 1633 Manitoba Street Tickets are $45 with only 36 Seats available.
Tasting Menus at participating restaurants around Vancouver
Pacific Institute Of Culinary Arts
Doolins Irish Pub
The Expo’s Main Event will also be accompanied by a Trade Tasting on Saturday May 12th from 3PM till 5PM..
Press Release for Ticket Prices
Vancouver Convention Centre
999 Canada Place
Saturday May 12th
6pm to 9pm
Come to The Main Event and taste the excellent selection of tequila brands, styles, and expressions offered by our exhibitors in a fun yet elegant setting. Regular ticket price is $65 and includes ten (10) tasting tokens. Partial proceeds to benefit the BC Hospitality Foundation.
Early Bird tickets:
Get your tickets before April 15th at the super early bird price of $45 per ticket.
Get your tickets before April 30th at the early bird price of $55 per ticket.
After May 1st all tickets sold at regular price – $65 per ticket.
They need to add mezcal to the mix! Many premium an ddelicious artisan mezcals on the market these days. Hope you are finding them in Canada.