Lost and confused at the Vancouver Playhouse Wine Festival?

Recommendations from staff pourers are in...
Here are some highlights from the festival from the sommeliers and pourers that know best.

You have to try some sherry, please! Even if you think you don't like it, because your grandma used to drink it. Dry to sweet, savoury to figgy, it's the bomb. Go to the Sherry tasting station near the liquor store!

Fortified
Gonzalez Bylass - Palo Cortado - Aposteoles - Actually brought tears to my eyes, almonds, caramel, oranges and a truffled finish
Blandy's Alvada - Madeira!
Dow's 20 Year Port! - say no more

Spain
Telmo 'freaking' Rodriguez! -The king of the vineyard is here, go taste all his wines and have a chat.
Faustino - Portia Prima - great value Ribera del Duero - Tempranillo - cherry, vanilla & spice in a velvet glove
Torres - Celeste - Ribera del Duero - excellent value, candied bacon, roasted green pepper, violets, blackberry, big and gorgeous
Bodegas Chivite - Rioja - Salceda -
Aside: Where's the white Rioja is what I want to know?

Argentina
Go to the Argentina Tasting Station (next to Alsace's) to get a sampling of several malbecs from different producers.
Vina Cobos - Felino Malbec - One of the best Malbec's at the show, floral and feminine, fruity
Familia Zuccardi - Tempranillo - Unique, easy drinking
Tapiz - Torrontes - At the tasting station - Fresh, lychee, aromatic, punchy

New Zealand
Mud House - Pinot Gris - Gorgeous, fresh, fruity, big
Astrolabe - Awartere Valley - Sauvignon Blanc - you can't taste this anywhere else

France
The Alsace Tasting Station - best place to be startled by food and wine pairing
M.Chapoutier - Chateauneuf du Pape - classic Rhone Valley

Germany
Burgerspital Estate - (It sounds rotten, but it's the best you'll have) - Auslese - Riesling - like candy, but for adults. Try their full range and you'll be happy.

Canada
Tantalus - Riesling - One of BC's top rieslings - characteristic petrol, mineral, pear
Sperling - Old Vines Riesling - Off dry, mineral, tropical fruit, dripping with goodness

Isreal
Yarden - Try the Cabernet Sauvignon - Bordeaux leaning, spicy, ripe fruit, vanilla. For all you wine geeks out there.

Enjoy, and be nice to the pourers please:)