The Grape Escape

Mmmmmmmmm liquor.

Not a bad way to start the weekend. A good friend of mine thought I could use a distraction from life and picked up a couple tickets for us to attend "The Grape Escape". So we headed down to the corral (a convention/conference center area on the stampede grounds here in Calgary) and took in a wine tasting event hosted by the local Calgary Co-Op liquor stores. Everything the co-op carried was there for us to sample. Crackers, deli meats, cheeses, and a bunch of other delectable snack items were available for munching on while sipping some really great wines. What I didn't realize was that there would be other alcohol there besides wine. Of course the co-op liquor stores carry other spirits too, and we had a chance to sample some great beers and some tasty liqueurs too. Oh man, you have to try Bailey's Caramel. Nice.

The trick to these things is to get there early and make your way to the last vendor and start there. You skip the lines and get to sample a few more things. You might also want to bring something to carry stuff in too. The snack tray that holds your wine glass and the appetizers is a little cumbersome to manipulate at times. Plus you pick up a few freebies along the way and it gets to be a pain in the ass trying to carry everything with you. Lots of fun.

It was interesting to see such a mix of crowd too. There were the folks that I expected to see at a wine tasting. The older types, dressed conservatively, holding their wine glasses appropriately for the type of wine they are sipping. They don't drink it, but pour it out after each sample. They make sure their pallet is fresh for each sample and their wine glass is rinsed after each tasting. They are the type of person you would look at and say... "there goes a wine snob".

Yet for every "wine snob" there were 2 or 3 other types of tasters too. Younger types, that look like they had a free ticket and were looking for something different to do on a Friday night. "Wine Snob" wannabe's. There were middle aged types that were intent on sampling as much free liquor as possible and then there patrons that appeared to be like Christian and I. They were curious about the samples, and enjoyed the event for what it was, but they were also there to enjoy some of the eye candy. It was a social opportunity to meet other folks without the perceived pressures of a bar scene. It was quite comical once you recognized them as like minded guests. The women of this variety sure dressed very provocatively for a simple wine tasting event. Their candy looked good enough to eat if you know what I mean. Plunging neck lines, form hugging dresses, and lots of make up. Some of them had breasts that seemed to defy gravity. wow.

It was definitely a great way to distract myself from the daily grind. I didn't take home any phone numbers, although I wasn't really trying to either. If I had been thinking, I would have at least found a date for my upcoming xmas party. I did enjoy some great wine, frothy beer, and some great cream liqueurs. Still I managed to catch the occasional smile carelessly sent in my direction. Good for the ego. Of course I realize that it is an alcohol induced grin, possibly at a funny joke a vendor just told, but I'm ok with that. I'll stick to my version of reality and remember the event however I like. ;) I think the hot brunette with the great décolletage and the cute dimples was smiling at me.