Life's a Beach | Expat Life in Playa del Carmen

Every once in a while, when I am convinced that I am raising my children in a party town, a den of iniquity completely lacking in any cultural integrity, an opportunity like this pops up. A few weeks back, just before Taste of Playa, we were invited to attend a special event at Xcaret, a wine tasting evening organized to kick off the 1st annual Festival of Mexican Wines scheduled for March 9-12 2011. Some of Mexico's finest wine producers, Santo Thomas, Monte Xanic, Casa Domecq and Casa Madero, offered tastes of more than 20 of their best wines to a crowd of over 1000. Hors d'oeuvres were provided by La Cava de Xcaret, for the VIP ticket holders and we were happy to see our friends from Ah Cacao on hand sampling their delicious chocolate treats!

A special performance "Bicentennial Live!" from the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan "Daniel Ayala", under the expert direction of Maestro José Luis Chan Sabido was truly the highlight of the evening. The orchestra delighted the audience with a special repertoire for the bicentennial celebration, a fantastic journey through the musical history of Mexico. The setting, an open amphitheater carved into the opening of a large cenote provided a stunning backdrop and was enhanced by dramatic lighting to accentuate each piece. Classically trained musicians and regular patrons of the symphony would have noticed that there was an unusual amount of artificial amplification used for such a small space but I am sure that was to correct the acoustics in this natural space. Nevertheless, the audience was enthralled and quickly rose to their feet at the end of the program demanding an encore. I, for one, could have sat there for hours soaking in the music and the atmosphere. Here is a little taste of the symphony.

This wonderful evening was organized by Xcaret, Grupo Quinta, The Riviera Maya Tourism Board, La Europea and Association of Hotels Riviera Maya who will also put together the main festival in March. "The idea of the festival is for people to discover the culture and history of Mexican wine, making a journey from artisanal wines to the most traditional production houses. Creating a unique experience where the senses come together, the passion for wine and pride of being Mexican. " said Xcaret Food and Beverage Manager Felipe Cedillo.  On the fourth and final day of the festival Xcaret Park and La Hacienda Henequenera will offer tastings, lectures, workshops and cultural events designed to further enrich the festival experience. Mark your calendars now. I have a feeling this will be an event to remember!