BRIEFS: Food and wine

Exposition opens at Atlapa Convention Center

MCT DIRECT

Epicurean:The 11th Festival of Wine, Food, and Delicatessen was inaugurated yesterday.1048435

The 11th Festival of Wine, Food, and Delicatessen, Expovinos 2008, was inaugurated yesterday in the Centro de Convenciones Atlapa.

The exposition, which attracts wine, food, liquor and gourmet product merchants from around the world, is expected to attract more than 15,000 visitors this year. In addition to giving gourmands and the simply hungry and thirsty alike a chance to learn about, sample, and buy wine, fruit liqueurs, brandy, cognac, armagnac, cheese, ham, sausages, pastas and sauces, preservers, spices, pastries, candies, chocolate and bottled water, the expo will offer visitors an opportunity to take part in wine tastings and attend conferences about viticulture and related subjects.

Because of the influx of foreigners, the per capita consumption of wine in Panama has increased notably in recent years, as has the consumption of what might be considered gourmet food.

The Festival is open to the general public Thursday through Sunday, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.