The SOMM Journal

April / May 2017

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34 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } APRIL/MAY 2017 { wine and the outdoors } Savoring Montana's Summers THE 4TH ANNUAL BIG SKY VINE & DINE FESTIVAL BRANCHES OUT TO INCLUDE TRADE EDUCATION ALONG WITH ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECREATION by Don Jost, CSW, IWP WHAT STARTED OUT AS a small, consumer-oriented food and wine festival at Montana's Big Sky Resort, spearheaded by Master Sommeliers Fred Dame and Jay Fletcher, is now growing in leaps and bounds. Part of this growth is being driven by rapid population expansion in Bozeman, Montana, which is adding residents far faster than many other places in the country. With this kind of influx of people from major metropolitan areas, the local res - taurant and wine industry is forced to keep pace and up their game to meet the discriminating palates and expectations of these new customers. This means more industry professionals coming as well, and a whole new food and beverage culture emerging, with an increasing focus on education the likes of which Montana has never seen. This year's festival will include a Court of Master Sommeliers Intro Course to kick off the weekend on August 16 and 17. There will also be trade-focused semi - nars offered by industry professionals such as Eugenio Jardim, representing Wines of Portugal, and Lyle Railsback of Kermit Lynch Wine Imports talking about the hidden treasures of Corsica. Other seminars will focus on the growing category of orange wines and the never-ending debate over the merits of natural wines. The weekend culminates in a Grand Tasting including wineries from all over the West Coast along with an enticing array of imports from around the world. Of course this is also summer in Montana, which means that if you so desire, the weekend can also be about outdoor concerts, fly fishing, rafting, hiking, mountain biking, zip-lining, or horseback riding. Big Sky Resort is the perfect base camp for all of these activities and will be offering affordable room rates for all trade attendees. The end result is a long weekend where business and pleasure come together in a totally enjoyable fashion in one of the most beautiful places in the country. For more information and tickets, go to bigskyresort.com/vine Don Jost CSW, IWP is Sommelier for Summit Hotel at Big Sky Resort. PHOTO: RACHELBD VIA THINKSTOCK PHOTO: BOB ALLEN PHOTO: BOB ALLEN A whole new food and beverage culture is emerging in Bozeman, MT. Hors d'oeuvres for the Grand Tasting. Big Sky Resort is only a short drive from Yellowstone National Park.

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