Daily Loaf

(For more on the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, check here.)

As in the past, the food took top billing at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, with the wine trailing in second. And beer made a big comeback appearance, but there were enough vinous highlights to keep my attention. Some quick hits:

• I found the best and most surprising food pairing at the Austrian station: Mushroom Soup with Chive Dumplings washed down with Leth Grüner Veltliner and Paprika Beef Stew with Bacon Dumplings and Iby Zweigelt. The citrusy tart gruner melded beautifully with earthy mushroom goodness.

• A more expectedly fabulous combo occurred at New Zealand: Sea Scallops and Veggie Slaw with Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc, as well as the incredible Lamb Sliders and Villa Maria Cabernet/Merlot.

• If you’re looking to try decent wines from an up-and-coming-yet-unusual area, head to Mexico, where L.A. Cetto Chardonnay and Petite Sirah from the Baja Peninsula are poured. (The Corn Tostada and Shredded Pork Tacos didn’t particularly match well with the wines, though.)

• Spain dished up a refreshing Snapper Escabeche with Poema Cava Brut. Other excellent sparklers at the festival: Fantinel Prosecco (Italy), Martini and Rossi Prosecco (The Mouse Catch cheese station), and, of course, the Moet selections in the Desserts and Champagnes area. (Read more about affordable Cava and Prosecco)

• France – normally a champion on the pairing front – shockingly disappointed. They changed their food recipes this year, too, so maybe that screwed up their game. The Bordeaux blend, Chateau Mezain 2007, tasted divine alone but not with the delicious Cabernet Braised Short Ribs.

• Germany’s food didn’t impress me but the wines of S.A. Prum always do. They’re presenting a free wine seminar throughout the festival that you shouldn’t miss.

• A few sweet wine highlights: Boutari Moschofilero (Greece), Chateau des Charmes Vidal Icewine (Canada), and Rosemount Traminer Riesling (Australia).

• Word from the wise: With the exception of the amazing Chilled Mango Lassi, skip the food and wine at India’s station. Sula Vineyards, a winery 180 km northeast of Mumbai, offered up a chenin blanc and a sauvignon blanc. I’d never tried any of their wines before, and probably won’t again for a while. The potential is there but they haven’t quite realized it yet.

Read more from Taylor at tayloreason.com.

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