Terroir – a County Wine Celebration is Early this Year!

Published on April 19, 2014April 20, 2014 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Events and Festivals, Prince Edward County Region

Terroir is a Prince Edward County (PEC) event in the charming Crystal Palace in Picton. A friend and I attended last year and had a terrific time. Most of the PEC wineries are there, as are some local restaurants and food purveyors, and it’s a great way to kick off the summer.

It’s normally on the Saturday after Victoria Day, which means the County’s lilacs are in full bloom and riding around the County is even lovelier than usual. Since Terroir is on the Saturday, if you go to the County for the weekend, you have all of Sunday to stop in at wineries before heading home.

Well, this year it seems they’ve moved the event up to the beginning of May – Saturday the 3^rd, to be exact. This change came to my attention last week when I was updating the app and I noticed that Keint-he Winery & Vineyards mentioned on their website that they’ll be at Terroir on May 3^rd. When I read that, I honestly thought the date was a mistake, so I checked Terroir’s official website and saw that it wasn’t a typo. I don’t mind saying that I’m kind of bummed out because I won’t be able to attend on May 3^rd.

When I saw Bryan Rogers of Keint-He at the OWS 5 Star event last week I asked him about it and he said that the Terroir organizers (and apparently he’s one of them) moved Terroir up because they want a bit of time between Terroir and the County’s well known Great Canadian Cheese Festival, which is always the first weekend in June. Rogers also noted that they’ll see how it goes this year, and they may move the data again – until they figure out what works best.

Anyway – the date for 2014 is set – and it’s right around the corner (Saturday, May 3, 2014 from noon to 5 p.m.) – so start making your plans. Tickets are the same price as last year: $35 in advance and $40 at the door (if still available). I’m sure it’ll be a terrific event – and I guess those who are lucky enough to attend will just kick off their summer a bit early – nothing wrong with that!

Easter Dinner at a Winery?

Published on April 12, 2014April 20, 2014 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Dining

Don’t feel like cooking this Easter? Why not celebrate Easter at one of 20+ Ontario wineries that have restaurants – most of them will feature special Easter menus.

For a list of wineries with restaurants, check out the Dining at Wineries category in the App.

Brix … but really?

Published on April 8, 2014April 20, 2014 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Miscellaneous Musings

When I dropped in at North 40 Degrees Estate Winery last fall owner/winemaker Martin Gorski was measuring the sugar content of some of his grapes using a Brix Refractometer. I had always wanted to see how you use one, and he showed me. Very cool, I thought.

Well, last week I was leafing through one of the new Lee Valley catalogs when a “Sugar Tester” caught my eye. Sure enough – it’s a Brix Refractometer! Though I do find the topic of Brix quite fascinating – since I don’t grow grapes, I can’t imagine what use I would have for one. (I’m sure I fall within Lee Valley’s demographic – why else is there one on the trendy King West strip in Toronto!)

Anyway – based on the description, the Brix Refractometer “… can be used to judge when fruits and vegetables are at their peak for harvesting. … Very useful…” Damn, I thought maybe I could use it to test for the ripeness of the melon or pineapple I’ve got in my fruit bowl.

That said, it does look cool – and if you can’t have a vineyard – for $59.00 you can at least have some of the gadgets…

Something different for a change?

Published on April 1, 2014April 20, 2014 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Miscellaneous Musings

The California Wine Fair 2014 is coming to Ontario this week – it’ll be in Ottawa on Friday, April 4 from 7-9:30 p.m. at The Westin Ottawa and in Toronto on Monday, April 7 from 7-9:30 pm. at the Fairmont Royal York.

Apparently this is the 35^th annual tour and it will feature wineries from all of California’s major wine-growing regions. I’ve been to this event in the past and it’s always fun – a great chance to try varietals that we don’t find often here (I’m looking forward to some California Zins) or compare how your favourite varietals do under the California sun (or drought?).

You can get more information – including a list of participating wineries (an impressive list with over 85 wineries) – and purchase tickets on their website.

See you there!

Oh those poor grape buds

Published on March 13, 2014April 20, 2014 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Winemaking Related

Our winter this year has been especially tough, but I hadn’t really thought about what it might be doing to the vineyards across Ontario until a winery owner mentioned it to me at Cuvée a couple weeks ago. Though most agree it’s too early to tell the true extent of the damage, all the winemakers and vineyard owners I’ve talked to have said that 2014 isn’t looking too good. Actually, what really caught my attention was when one vineyard owner from the Lake Erie/Pelee Island region said he doesn’t think there’ll be a 2014 vintage. Period.

When I heard this, I wondered how they can evaluate – at this time of year – the likelihood of damage. The answer lies – primarily – in the buds. Though most grape growers wait till March or April to prune their vines, they’re keeping a very close eye on them and many are out there sampling the buds to see whether they’re dead or alive.

I was told that the process involves cutting canes and thawing them and then making delicate slices through the buds. If the inside of the bud is brown, it’s dead – if it’s green, it’s alive. I was interested in seeing this first-hand, and so I contacted Andrew Nickel of Hinterbrook Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake to ask him if he’d do a bit of a show-and-tell for me. He agreed, and on Monday, March 10^th I met Andrew at Hinterbrook. (Pat Anderson, a terrific photographer who specializes in food photography, came with me so that I’d have some shots for this post.)

Andrew had cut some cane samples the day before so that we’d have thawed buds to look at. The very first bud Andrew sliced (from a Merlot cane) was pretty clearly dead. The next few were also dead. He didn’t seem too surprised, since Merlot is known for being less cold tolerant than some of the other cool climate varieties.

Among the buds Andrew sliced for us we did find examples of beautiful, green insides – a wonderful sign that they’re still alive. The contrast on the inside between the buds that were still alive and the dead buds was quite remarkable – and pretty obvious.

Of course, the few canes we looked at aren’t a representative sample of all the vines in their vineyard or of the Niagara Lakeshore appellation, which is where Hinterbrook is located. Even so, Andrew admitted that he expects the bud viability for their Merlot, for example, will be pretty low this year.

He also explained that bud viability is one issue that grape growers and the industry are talking about and testing now, but it’s still too early to tell whether there has been any vine damage. They won’t know that until the leave start coming in.

Though I know – intellectually – that farming is at the heart of winemaking, it’s easy to forget the risk inherent in the business of growing grapes.

Andrew was also kind enough to let me shoot a video of him explaining the bud testing process. To watch the video, click here.

Going Vertical

Published on March 2, 2014May 19, 2014 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Miscellaneous Musings, Tasting, etc.

Yesterday I mentioned in a blog that 31 wineries are participating in the Cuvée en Route passport event this weekend. After looking through the brochure and really wrapping my head around the two different types of tastings the wineries were offering up: Vertical Tastings and Winemaker’s Selection, I decided to stop at a few wineries for some vertical tastings.

My decision to go vertical was very rewarding, as it meant I could compare different vintages of the same wine produced at each winery. So, for example, at Kacaba visitors have the chance to compare their 2009 Single Vineyard Syrah, their 2010 Reserve Syrah, and their 2011 Terrace Vineyard Syrah. Vadim, the knowledgeable assistant who led me through the tasting at Kacaba, was great at explaining which parts of the vineyard each vintage came from, and any difference is style.

Stratus decided to feature a vertical tasting of its Petit Verdot – a varietal that is not that common in Ontario. Passport holders can taste their 2006 Petit Verdot, their 2008 Petit Verdot, and their 2010 Petit Verdot, which has not even been released yet. After pouring the three the server also provided a thick-cut slice of sausage and recommended trying it between sips. She also pointed out the colour differences, which were quite remarkable, and described how, over the years, they have varied the style of the wine. She even explained the decision to offer the sample of sausage and how striking the wine changes when sipped before and after taking a bite of the sausage. It was a terrific chance to experience how food and wine interact.

Trius Winery at Hillebrand is offering passport holds a rare opportunity to enjoy a vertical tasting of its Vidal icewines, including its 1996, 2006, and 2012. Just seeing the colour differences and the differences in nose between these vintages is reason enough, I think, to participate in the Cuvée en Route festivities. You don’t have to be an icewine lover (which I don’t mind admitting I am) to appreciate the chance to see, smell and taste these wines that are no longer widely available.

These are just a few of the terrific vertical offerings available as part of Cuvée en Route this year. And, if going vertical doesn’t appeal, check out the wineries that are offering Winemaker’s Selections, many of which are featuring limited edition wines and unique varieties.

Cuvée en Route continues today – so enjoy!

You can find a complete list of what each winery is serving in the Cuvée en Route brochure on-line.

Here’s what they poured at Cuvée 2014

Published on March 1, 2014February 9, 2015 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Cuvée, Events and Festivals

As noted in my last post, the Cuvée 2014 Gala featured 51 Ontario wineries. Each winery poured only one wine — their favourite. I promised I’d publish the list after the event because I think readers would like to know what the different winemakers would encourage people to try, if you were only able to try one of their wines!

So here’s what the wineries poured at Cuvée 2014:

13th Street Winery — 2011 Essence Arome
Bachelder Niagara — 2011 Bachelder Chardonnay Wismer Vineyard
Big Head Wines — Pinot Noir 2012
Burning Kiln Winery — 2012 Burning Kiln Cabernet Franc
Calamus Estate Winery — 2013 Pinot Gris
Cave Spring Cellars — 2010 Reisling CSV Estate Bottled
Château des Charmes — 2012 Merlot, St. David’s Bench Vineyard (a wine that’s not even on the shelf yet!)
Colaneri Estate Winery — 2011 Coraggioso Cabernet Sauvignon — it’s 80% appassimento
Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards Estate Winery — 2012 Merlot Reserve
Cornerstone Estate Winery — 2010 Cabernet Merlot
Coyote’s Run Estate Winery — 2010 Rare Vintage Meritage
Domaine Queylus — 2011 Pinot Noir Reserve
EastDell Estates by Diamond Estates Winery — 2012 EastDell Estates Black Label Chardonnay Sur Lie
Five Row Craft Wine of Lowrey Vineyards — 2010 Pinot Noir
Foreign Affair Winery –2010 Conspiracy — a Meritage blend
G Marquis Vineyards –2010 EPIC The Silver Line — a Cab Sauv-Cab Franc-Merlot blend
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery –2011 Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Reserve
Hidden Bench Vineyards &Winery — 2011 Estate Pinot Noir
Inniskillin Niagara Estate — 2012 Inniskillin Reserve Series Merlot
Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate — 2013 Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Grand Reserve White Meritage – a Semillion-Sauv Blanc blend
Kacaba Vineyards & Winery — 2011 Terrace Vineyard Syrah
Konzelmann Estate Winery — 2012 Gewurztraminer
Lailey Vineyard Wines — 2012 Syrah
Lakeview Cellars by Diamond Estates Winery — 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Le Clos Jordanne — 2011 Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Pinot Noir
Magnotta Winery — 2010 Cabernet Franc Limited Edition
Malivoire Wine Company — 2011 Malivoire Courtney Gamay
Megalomaniac – John Howard Cellars of Distinction — 2010 Bravado Cabernet Sauvignon
Mike Weir Winery — 2012 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
Niagara College Teaching Winery — 2012 Niagara College Balance Sauvignon Blanc
Nyarai Cellars — 2012 Viognier
Palatine Hills Estate Winery — 2010 Newfeld Vineyard Meritage
Pelee Island Winery — 2012 Singing Moon Pinot Blanc
Peller Estates Winery — 2012 Private Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery — 2013 Peninsula Ridge Wismer Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
Pillitteri Estates Winery — 2010 Exclamation Winemaker’s Red – a Meritage-style blend
PondView Estate Winery — 2011 Bella Terra Chardonnay
Reif Estate Winery — 2012 Gewurztraminer Reserve
Rennie Estate Winery — 2011 Assemblage G
Ridge Road Estate Winery — 2013 Pinot Gris
Riverview Cellars Estate Winery — 2012 Gewurztraminer
Rockway Vineyards — 2011 Rockway Vineyards Small Lot Block 11-140 Cabernet Franc
Southbrook Vineyards — 2011 Whimsy Winemakers White Blend – a Chard-Semillon-Muscat blend
Stoney Ridge Estate Winery — 2011 Excellence Pinot Gris
Stratus Vineyards — 2010 Stratus Red – Bordeaux blend
Strewn Winery — 2011 Strewn Terroir French Oak Chardonnay
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery — 2012 Riesling Loved by Lu
Thirty Bench Wine Makers — 2010 Thirty Bench Small Lot Benchmark Red (Merlot-Cab Sauv-Cab Franc)
Trius Winery at Hillebrand — 2012 Showcase Sauvignon Blanc
Vieni Wine & Spirits — 2011 Aglianico Al Passo — a ripasso-style wine
Westcott Vineyards — 2012 Reserve Chardonnay

Cuvée en Route 2014

Published on March 1, 2014February 9, 2015 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Cuvée, Events and Festivals

Cuvée en Route is a passport event involving 32 wineries this weekend — March 1-2, 2014. At the wineries passport holders can sample themed flights that are either Horizontal tastings (different vintages of the same variety) or a Winemaker’s Selection.

Here are the wineries featured in Cuvée en Route 2014:

Calamus Estate Winery
Calaneri Estate Winery
Cooper’s Hawk Vineyard Estate Winery – note that Cooper’s Hawk is located in the Lake Erie/Pelee Island area. Cuvée en Route Passport holders can use their passports for a Winemaker’s Section flight any time they visit this summer
Cornerstone Estate Winery
Coyote’s Run Estate Winery
Diamond Estates Winery
Five Rows Craft Wine of Lowrey Vineyards
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery
Inniskillin Niagara Estate
Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate
Kacaba Vineyards and Winery
Konzelman Estate Winery
Lailey Vineyard Wines
Magnotta Winery
Malivoire Wine Company
Megalomaniac – John Howard Cellars of Distinction
Niagara College Teaching Winery
Peller Estates Winery
Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery
Pillitteri Estates Winery
Reif Estate Winery
Ridge Road Estate Winery
Riverview Cellars Estate Winery
Rockway Vineyards
Southbrook Vineyards
Stoney Ridge Estate Winery
Stratus Vineyards
Strewn Winery
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery
Thirty Bench Wine Makers
Trius Winery at Hillebrand
Vieni Wine and Spirits

You can purchase a passport at the participating wineries.

Spoiler Alert?

Published on February 23, 2014February 9, 2015 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Cuvée, Events and Festivals

Cuvée 2014 kicks off Friday, February 28 with the 26^th Annual Cuvée Grand Tasting – a black tie gala at the Fallsview Casino Resort. The participating wineries (there are 51 on the list) will be pouring one wine each – one they’ve chosen as their favourite. I love that idea – it’s kind of the ultimate in curated content, don’t you think?

I was so excited when I found out that’s the format for the Gala, I immediately began wondering what each winery would be pouring. I checked the Cuvée website, but it only lists the wineries (and the chefs that will be on hand serving their signature dishes). So, I did what any normal journalist would do: I contacted the wineries and asked them.

As the wineries started getting back to me, I also heard from a public relations person who works at one of the wineries and who was on the Cuvée Committee. This person advised that I should not do a pre-event blog post about any of the wines that are going to be served because they are only to be “revealed” on the night of the event.

I was quite surprised by this because before I e-mailed the wineries, I double checked to see whether there was any indication that the wines being served at the Gala are a secret. I saw nothing to indicate that. Indeed, the fact that a number of wineries responded to my earnest inquiry (in which I made it clear that I planned on publishing the information in a blog before the event) and conversations I had with some wineries about the event, leads me to believe that if the Cuvée committee intended for the wines to be a secret, they kept that fact to themselves.

So, for the past few days I’ve been debating about whether to “reveal” the wines. On the one hand, I suppose there are folks who would rather not know in advance what will be poured. On the other hand, I’m sure there are also wine lovers like me whose enjoyment is increased knowing exactly what to look forward to.

As you can tell by the title of this post, I considered playfully using the spoiler alert warning that we’ve all heard so often the past couple of weeks and then going ahead and sharing with you what I’ve found out. But, in deference to the Cuvée organizers and those who love surprises, I will hold off on publishing the list of wines.

For those who can’t be at the Gala but who are interested in knowing what the wineries chose as their favourites, I’ll publish the information shortly after the Gala. That way, next time you stop in at one of the participating wineries, you’ll have an idea about what you might want to sample and buy.

Tickets are still available for the Gala fundraiser ($200) and Cuvée en Route passports ($30/person) are also available. For information on how to purchase Gala tickets and passports, check out Cuvée’s website.

2014 Niagara Icewine Festival

Published on January 7, 2014April 20, 2014 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Events and Festivals, Niagara-on-the-Lake Region, St. Catharines Region

If you’ve been housebound this past week because of the arctic blast that’s blanketing much of North America, take heart – the forecast is for milder weather soon. And fortunately, for those who might be anxious to get out and about, the Niagara Icewine Festival kicks off this weekend

The festival, which features wineries from Niagara and Jordan, is a terrific event that’s spread over three weekends: January 11/12, Jan. 18/19 and Jan 25/26. Participating wineries offer food samples that they match with their icewine.

Think block party – ice block, that is. There are ice sculptures and ice bars – and lots of icewine. Just dress warmly and bring a designated driver!

The first weekend centers on Jordan Village. Main Street in the Village becomes an ice sculpture/ice bar pedestrian zone, with numerous Twenty Valley wineries serving.

On the second weekend (Jan. 18/19) the main street in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake (Queen Street) holds the Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Celebrations. This event features similar festivities, with ice bars and food and icewine served with jazz and other entertainment.

The third weekend (Jan. 25/26) the Courthouse and the shops in the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake will be pouring wines from local wineries.

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