Vancouver International Wine Festival could be hampered by B.C.s liquor laws
International vineyards must pass test in English to serve their stock at February expo
When the wine world descends upon Vancouver for the International Wine Festival in February, some winemakers may not be able to serve their own stock.
Sweeping changes to the province's liquor laws in April mean anyone wanting to serve alcohol at B.C. events with a special occasion permit needs to pass a course on alcohol service, called Serving It Right.
However, the course, which is required in order to be able to pour wine at the festival, is only available in English.
"It's incredibly important for us to speak about it on our own with people," says Michael Bartier, co-owner and winemaker at Bartier Bros., a small winery in Oliver, B.C..
Personal touch is essential
"It's much more sincere and it's much more resonating if I can speak to them in person."
Bartier is a fluent English speaker and will be able to serve his own wine at the show.
But international wineries without staff proficient in written English could find certifying their own winemakers difficult.
Vineyards from renowned winemaking countries like France and Italy will either need someone on staff who can pass Serving it Right in English, who can also make the trip to the festival, or they'll need a certified server from outside their company to do the pouring.
Event organizers don't see the requirement as a significant obstacle.
"There won't be any major impact on the way the festival operates or the number of people there," said Mark Hicken, chair of the festival's gala auction.
Bartier says personal service is by far the best option. But if he weren't able to pour his wine himself, hiring a server for his booth would be an adequate alternative.
"Actually it might be nice, leave the difficult work to someone else."
The Vancouver International Wine Festival opens February 20, and runs through to the 28th.