This sunny end of July was created to bring together dozens of people who love good food, drinks and home-made diligent handicrafts in one place during the Straupe Festival.
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There was a cozy and cheerful mood in person during the festivities, which only encouraged everyone to find out, taste and also buy something they would not see with the sign “Made in Latvia”.
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By the way, the origins of the Rural Benefits Market or Slow Food Straupe can be traced back to fourteen years ago, when a concept was gathered for like-minded people to buy a place where local, high-quality and seasonal farmers’ products can be bought.
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The popularity of the market grew and new winds became necessary. This is how the idea was born alongside the diligent domestic farmers, to invite the most recognized winemakers of Latvia into the team, and the Winemakers’ Festival was born.
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“The winemakers’ festival, which took place four years ago, was intended to promote the local winemaking traditions and the winemakers who sell their products in our market,” says Baiba Smilga, the long-term organizer of the fair.
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During this festival, there was an opportunity to meet the most experienced winemakers in Latvia, who have joined the Latvian Winegrowers ‘and Winemakers’ Association’s project “Latvian Wine Tour” (www.latvijasvinature.lv). These are people who respect wine culture and are aware of how sometimes this winemaking process can be complicated. Especially in Latvia. How much it requires human inspiration, careful and patient work, strong determination, the fight against stereotypes and, ultimately, faith in oneself and the forces of nature, which together can create something special – wine!
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“Today is a time, a wonderful wine, nice winemakers. It is a pleasure to be here for the fourth year and to evaluate it all in person. As always, we are all faced with a task and a surprise. This year we have the task to pair or match 12 homemade fruit, berry and grape wines with twelve wonderful, restaurant-prepared dishes. It is not an easy task to have a great result. Therefore, it will be really interesting to know the results, ”says Richard Ivanov, Chairman of the Board of the Latvian Wine and Winemakers’ Association, in his opening speech.
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This year, at the Straupe Winemakers’ Festival, the assessment of the compatibility of Latvian wines and dishes was more serious than ever. Among the experts of “pairing” or “marriage” were some of the best sommelier in Latvia – Jānis Kaļķis, Agnese Gintere and chef Māris Jansons. Why is this compatibility search so important?
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According to the leading sommelier in Latvia Jānis Kaļķis, incorrectly chosen wine with food can make a meal inedible and vice versa – food can also spoil the taste of wine. There will be no love in this couple! “The main duty of a sommelier, when” clarifying “a food with wine, is to choose the best wine that will complement the specific food and create the enjoyment of excellent taste. If the wine is chosen correctly, then the flavors of wine and food will permeate, create additional nuances of taste and make your meal unforgettable! ” This was the main task of the experts then!
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