Wine!
Welcome to this joining me from Heidi’s Head, and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 4th stop on our Magical Blogorail.
Mothers spend years secretly wishing their babies will never grow up. But they most surely do, of course, as they must. Embracing each season joyfully is one of parenting’s greatest challenges. And so it is that I happily, with 22 year old son in tow, (well perhaps he was the tow-er), recently explored the World Showcase in a completely new way. The Epcot World Showcase Wine Walk is a grown-up adventure that called to us; allowing us to once again experience a Disney first together.
The Epcot World Showcase Wine Walk is an at-your-own-pace wine tasting that takes you to three pavilions: Germany, Italy and France. Purchase your “passport”, (its cost, $20, has not changed since 2009), at any of the below locations, and let the sipping begin!
You decide the day, order, and timing of your sampling, just be sure to have your passport and/or receipt with you when you get thirsty; it will need to be stamped at each stop. (We were told that at present this passport does not have an expiration date.)
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| Weinkeller~ Germany |
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| Enoteca Castello~ Italy |
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| Aux Vins de France~ France |
Two 2-ounce, sample-sized wines are offered at each of your three stops, and each grouping has unique characteristics.
Germany
This country is renown for their fruity wines, and that is exactly what you should expect here. The Valekenberg Madonna Spatlese and Liebfraunilch stood out as aperitif or dessert wines to us. They are both quite sweet, and although they are suggested as pairings for bold fish dishes (such as crab or shrimp), they tasted more like dessert wines to us! I would suggest saving your sampling in Germany as a post-dinner, post Karamell-Kuche stop!
Italy
The samplings here are in progression with Germany’s, and are bolder, but still delicate. Castello Banfi San Angelo Pinot Grigio again tasted more like an aperitif, but could be paired with a light seafood or chicken dish. (Think about stopping here before your Calamari Fritti or Quattro Formaggi pizza at nearby Via Napoli.) We fell in love with the Rosa Regale, Piedmont; it is a rose sparkling wine that would be a perfect before dinner cocktail- any country, anytime. The Rosa Regale lived up to its name, and I will be returning for another glass in the future…
France
Now we’re talking! The French simply are THE wine masters, and the two choices offered prove it. Another step up in both body and bouquet, both are are more robust, yet SO smooth. The Georges Duboneuf Pouilly-Fuisse would stand up to any cheese plate and Chateau Tour de Segur, (the only red- a Merlot blend), just screams for a filet mignon!!
We felt that the World Showcase Wine Walk was another “Disney Must-Do”. Once. You cannot beat the price and the sheer adventure of it! While we will absolutely be returning to each of these locations, I will be buying by-the-glass, and choosing from the many other varieties each displays. (Except for that Rosa Regale– that could become habit forming.) Calling all amateur sommeliers!!
Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is Disney with Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers.
Oh my gosh – this is so neat! Thank you for sharing this. We aren't really drinkers around here, though I do like to sample wines on occasion. We'll be on a Girls' Only Trip to WDW and we'll be in Epcot for Ashley's 21st birthday. Just yesterday, I was checking out the new IllumiNations dessert party option, but this might be something she'd like to do instead (and less than 1/2 the price).
How wonderful Heidi and Ashley! We celebrated our older son's #21 at Disneyland, so I absolutely love the way you're thinking! The Wine Walk is casual, low-key, and a "make your own fun" experience. BUT that IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party screams special occasion! (Just sayin'. :D)
This sounds like so much fun. I can't believe we haven't tried it yet but I have a feeling that is going to change soon. 🙂 Thanks for all of the great info!
I just found out about it last month Melissa! Wine and a passport- we were there!!
I say Magical Blogorail meet!
Where and when Mary??! 😀
Wow, that's something I've never heard of before, Didi! So if I understand you correctly, you buy your passport, but you don't have to have all your glasses of wine on the same day, so you could do Germany one day, for example, France another, and Italy another as long as you have the receipt and passport? That's cool, and I may try that out in June. 🙂
I've done the Illuminations Dessert Party as part of a group — last year, and it was great — so I'm interested to see if the new one is different from that. Thanks for a great post!
You are absolutely correct Mike. We were told you can have your drinks on different trips if you like. The IllumiNations Dessert Parties are something very special (and expensive, unless you are a guest), but with the Wine Walk we made our own fun!
What a great post Donna! Ashley loves wine and I will definitely have to let her know about this for her trip later this year. I am not a wine drinker, which variety would you suggest?
Well Donna, I must again highlight the Rosa Regale; it is a bit like pink champagne without too much fizz. I think the bubbles make a statement!
Wow! This is so fun! I never knew this even existed! I am not a big wino but this is really neat I might have to try it sometime when we go without the kids. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Just when we think we've seen and done it all, right? The magic of Disney constantly amazes and surprises!
Thanks for sharing this – I had no idea it was available! If we pull off an adults-only Epcot weekend later this year, it will definitely be on my must-do list. Sending a link to your post to my husband 🙂
I'm pulling for you Tricia! (Be sure to emphasize the VALUE and QUALITY when you pitch him!!)
I never knew this existed! I'm so happy you shared this idea since I'm a wine girl. We are heading next weekend for our first adult trip in 7 years so maybe I'll give it a try. Would this be something good to do if we're just Flower and Garden cart sampling or would it be too much?
I am excited for your adults-only trip Lisa! To be honest, I wouldn't bother with the Wine Walk during the Flower & Garden or Food & Wine Festivals; there's too much unique competition at those times. For merrymaking the rest of the year, Wine Walk fits the bill!
Excellent review! I have never heard of this… maybe because hubby and I don't like wine. We are beer people! 😉 Do any of the stops offer snacks with the wine or do you have to purchase any food to go along with the wine separate?
I think you need to create your own "Beth's Beer Bounce"; and market it! Germany would have to be the first stop- and then throw in Japan and end up in the United Kingdom. No snacks are included in the $20, but you can graze as you go. Boy, this loop is so much fun!!
How fun! I didn't even know that existed!
Best kept secret P.T.!
It hasn't been 18 months for me and I'm already wishing that my baby doesn't grow up so fast! I'm going to have to wine taste when I'm in WDW in NOVEMBER (yay! first trip since WDW Half Marathon 2012!) You know all the fun things to do – I'm going to have to ask for recommendations from you when the time gets closer, especially since I may have to find things to do for not only me, but 2 sets of grandparents . . .
I will live through you this November Aud- and will be HAPPY to help. We brought grandparents with us during our last trip, and they fell in love. (All over again!!)
I'm here Audrey! If I can live vicariously through YOUR trip, I will jump at the chance!!!
I may have to take this wine walk when I'm down in August. Already have reservations for the EPCOT Wind Down one night.
That sounds dynamite! Think of the Wine Walk as a poor man's version!! 😉 Can't wait to hear what you think-