Gotta love February!

Published on by Ingrid Sapona Category: Cuvée, Events and Festivals, Miscellaneous Musings

So – I know it’s the dead of winter here in Ontario, but I’ve always loved February. Honest. My friends and family figure I love it because it’s my birthday month. Well, sure, that’s part of it. (My dream birthday present growing up was a day off from school because of snow!) But it’s not just that. I love the fact that it’s a no brainer in terms of what you wear – it’s cold so you bundle up, right? Simple! And of course, smack dab in the middle is Valentine’s Day! If that doesn’t appeal to your heart (even if you’re single) – well, you may as well stop reading this …IMG_2110

Anyway – if the reasons I’ve already mentioned aren’t enough to win you over to the “loving February side”, the wineries of Ontario go all-out in February to get your mind off winter. The wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake, for example, are hosting their Days of Wine and Chocolate (more on that in a minute) on weekends throughout the month and on Feb. 7 and 8 the wineries in the Lake Erie/Pelee Island region (EPIC, as it’s known) are having their Festival of Ice, and at the end of the month is Cuvée (which I’ll be writing more about in coming posts).

As well, various wineries are hosting winter-themed events. Here’s just a sample of what you’ll find: Georgian Hills hosts an Après Ski tasting of their Vidal Frozen Wine and chocolates and roasted marshmallows ($20/person), on Saturday afternoons there’s Raclette at Malivoire with The Cheesy Guys ($10/person and it includes tasting of 3 wines – great deal!), Peninsula Ridge’s lovely restaurant is featuring a very reasonably priced ($24.95) Surf & Turf dinner every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. As well, many wineries are hosting Valentine’s Day dinners. So – really – what’s not to love about February?

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Days of Wine and Chocolate

As mentioned, 27 wineries in the Niagara-on-the-Lake region are hosing Days of Wine and Chocolate on Fridays-Sundays in February (ending on Sunday, March 1) from 11-5 p.m. The passports ($35/person; $30/person for designated driver passports) are good throughout the event, which means you can enjoy wine and chocolate all month long. Tickets can be purchased on line and at participating wineries.

Here’s the list of the wineries and what they’re serving:

  • Between the Lines — 2013 Cabernet Franc paired with a Raspberry Filled Chocolate Truffle
  • Cattail Creek Estate Winery — 2008 Select Late Harvest Cabernet Sauvignon paired with a Nutella Crunch Cream Cake
  • Château Des Charmes — 2011 Cabernet Franc, Estate Bottled paired with a Spicy Double Chocolate Cookie Bar Topped with Cassis Dark Chocolate Truffle & Dried Berries
  • Coyote’s Run Estate Winery — 2012 Cabernet Merlot paired with a Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake
  • Diamond Estates — 2008 Lakeview Cellars GMR Sparkling paired with Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
  • Hinterbrook — 2012 Cabernet Franc paired with a Cabernet Franc Chocolate Cake
  • Inniskillin Wines – 2012 Cabernet Franc Icewine paired with a Chocolate Soba Noodle Salad with Cocoa and Soy Cured Duck
  • Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery — 2012 Grand Reserve Shiraz paired with a
  • Red Wine Chocolate Cake with Smoked Almond Cream
  • Joseph’s Estate Wines — 2010 Late Harvest Vidal paired with a White Chocolate Almond Biscotti
  • Konzelmann Estate Winery — Konzelmann Merlot paired with a Nutella Cheesecake
  • Lailey Vineyard — 2012 Merlot paired with a Flourless Chocolate Brownie
  • Niagara College Teaching Winery — 2011 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay paired with a Roasted Butternut Squash with Chocolate Mole
  • Palatine Hills Estate Winery — 2011 Lakeshore Red paired with a Caramel Brownie
  • Peller Estates Winery — Ice Cuvée Classic paired with Sea Salt Caramel & Valrhona Dark Chocolate Truffles
  • Pillitteri Estates Winery — 2012 Rose paired with Dark Chocolate Pecan Bark Topped with Caramel & Sea Salt
  • PondView Estate Winery — 2012 Cabernet Merlot Reserve paired with Milk & Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Drizzled with Caramel and Sea Salt
  • Rancourt Winery — 2013 Chardonnay Reserve paired with Lobster Bisque with White Chocolate Shavings
  • Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery – 2012 Sand & Gravel Cabernet Franc paired with Chocolate Mint Opera Cake
  • Reif Estate Winery — 2011 Merlot paired with Chocolate Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Riverview Cellars Estate Winery — 2012 Rosso Cabernet Merlot paired with a Chocolate Cronut
  • Small Talk Vineyards — 2011 Riesling Icewine Cocktail paired with Pineapple infused white chocolate
  • Southbrook Vineyards — Triomphe Cabernet Franc paired with Bresaola dusted in thyme and cacao nibs
  • Stratus Vineyards — 2010 Tollgate Fume Blanc paired with Roasted Fennel, Beet, & Dark Chocolate Salad
  • Strewn Winery — 2010 Merlot Terroir paired with Herb & Pepper Crusted Pork Tenderloin on Crostini with Red Currant & Chocolate Glaze
  • Trius Winery At Hillebrand — Trius Brut Rosé paired with a Dark Chocolate and Bacon Truffle
  • Two Sisters — 2011 Eleventh Post paired with a Roasted Mushroom Crostini with Gorgonzola, Arugula and Agrodulce sauce

Superbowl Sunday

Published on by Ingrid Sapona Category: Miscellaneous Musings

If you’re like me, you yawn at the thought of Superbowl Sunday. Don’t get me wrong – I love a reason for a get-together with friends that involves eating and drinking, but the idea of nachos, wings, and beer doesn’t do it for me (nor do the Patriots or Seahawks).

Anyway – I was blue-skying about other excuses for a Sunday get-together and it didn’t take long for me to think of a wine tasting party as a great alternative. And, with so many Ontario wineries now delivering – organizing a winetasting on short notice is a breeze:  just pick your favourite and check their website to see about ordering options. Or, why not pick a winery you’re not too familiar with and order from them? You can see how they stack up against some of your faves – and you might just have a new winery to add to your list of favourites!

Another idea to check out is services like Sideroad Twenty Cellars – they represent a bunch of great Ontario Wineries, including a few from beyond the Niagara region.

So – hope this idea takes the yawn out of the Superbowl for you!

Cuvée 2015 Chefs Announced

Published on by Ingrid Sapona Category: Cuvée, Events and Festivals

The chefs that will be serving at the Grand Tasting for Cuvée 2015 has been announced and the lineup is better than ever! This year, in addition to chefs from the Niagara region, they’re also showcasing three chefs from the Toronto area.

Here’s the lineup:

  • Ray Taylor of the Fallsview Casino Resort (the Casino always does an amazing job at Cuvée)
  • Alex White of Benchmark Restaurant (that’s the resto at the Canadian Food and Wine Institute at Niagara College)
  • Frank Romano of On the Twenty Restaurant
  • Tim Mackiddie of Le Clos Jordanne, Jackson-Triggs and Inniskillin Wineries
  • Rob Webster of Oliv Restaurant (at Strewn Winery)
  • Jason Parsons of Peller Estates
  • Ross Midgley of Ravine Winery Restaurant
  • Justin Downes of Vineland Estates Restaurant
  • David Chrystian of the Centre for Wine and Food Experimentation
  • Trista Sheen of Crush Wine Bar
  • Carlos Deveyra of Woods Restaurant

The chefs will be presenting their signature dishes at cooking stations throughout the event, so you’ll have a chance to watch them in action and enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Chef Giovani del Priore of Criveller Cakes will be serving desserts and Italian Ice Cream by Chef Andrew Rigolati will be served.

Tickets for the Feb. 27, 2015 Grand Tasting are available on-line.

Great Way to Warm Up and Chill Out in January

Published on by Ingrid Sapona Category: Uncategorized

IMG_0776_2The 20th Niagara Icewine Festival is kicking off this weekend with the Xerox Icewine Gala on Friday, Jan. 9, 2015 at the Fallsview Casino Resort. If you didn’t get your fill of fine wine and food over the holidays – or perhaps you just want one more reason to show off your holiday dress up clothes – the gala is for you. It’s a bit pricey ($185+HST) but the VQA wine – icewine and table – is flowing, and the food chefs from the casino’s finest restos are sure to serve up lots of fine foods.IMG_0778

If the gala isn’t in your price range or your style, don’t worry. The Icewine Festival goes on for three weekends throughout the Niagara Region with a variety of events.

My personal festival favourite is the Twenty Valley Icewine Celebrations this weekend in Jordan Village. Main Street in the village becomes a winter wonderland of ice sculptures and ice bars, with more than 30 wineries pouring their luscious Ontario special nectar: icewine (and some other wines, including bubblies). A number of local chefs also brave the cold and serve up their delectable. This year Chef Michal Smith will be on hand doing cooking demos on Sunday. There’s also free entertainment and cozy fires – trust me, you won’t even notice the cold!

IMG_0773Chef Smith will also be hosting a dinner Saturday in the Windows Room and an Icewine Sparkling Brunch at On the Twenty Restaurant. Check on-line for tickets for these events.

IMG_0777The second weekend and third weekends (Jan. 17-18 and Jan. 24-25, 2015) the party moves to the downtown area (Queen Street) of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The format is similar, with the 26 Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries pouring their icewine, and Signature Kitchen Chef showing off their skills. There will also be an icewine cocktail competition on Saturday night (Jan. 17th).

Discovery Pass Program at the Wineries

Beside the streetscape events in Jordan Village and Niagara-on-the-Lake, 37 wineries (19 in the Niagara-on-the-Lake region and 17 in the Twenty Valley) are participating in a Discovery Pass Program ($40+HST/Designated Driver Passes are $30+HST) that features wine and food pairings.

Because the festival is just days away, at this point, the Discovery Passes are only now only available at the wineries. (My experience is that the wineries are only allotted a limited number, so I suggest you head out fairly early and get a pass sooner rather than later!)

Here are the wineries participating this year:

Niagara-on-the-Lake Wineries

Twenty Valley Wineries

To find out what the wineries are pouring and serving, check the festival website.

 

Cuvée is on Sale!

Published on by Ingrid Sapona Category: Cuvée, Uncategorized

That’s right – there’s still time to get your Cuvée 2015 tickets for the Feb. 27, 2015 Grand Tasting (along with a passport for the weekend) at the early-bird price of $175/person. After Dec. 31, 2014 it’ll cost you $200/ticket. Tickets can be purchased on-line.IMG_1551

Cuvée was the most fun event I attended this year – and that’s saying a lot, as there were many great wine events. Lots of things stand out in my mind about the Grand Tasting, including the fact that the winemakers were especially enthusiastic (and proud) to be pouring their favourite wine. Besides the wines, the food stations were lavish and the dance floor was hopping at the after party. In short, Cuvée was a terrific chance to dress up and spend the evening with friends and fellow wine and food lovers.

I know, with the holiday party season in full swing already, you might be starting to think that after January 1st all you’ll want to do is diet. Well, I’m with you there – but that’s ok because Cuvée is the last weekend of February. Believe me, by then you’ll be so tired of winter activities (or inactivity, as the case may be) – there’s no better way to break the doldrums than with a terrific party.IMG_1562

Cuvee 2015 marks the start of a new era – last year the Niagara Community Foundation, the charity that had been in charge of event for a number of years, handed over the reins to Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI).

A block of rooms have been set aside at the Fallsview Hilton at special rates – I suggest you grab one of them too, while they’re still available. (That way you can party without concerns about driving or even putting a coat on – your room will just be an elevator ride away.)

Tis the weekend?

Published on by Ingrid Sapona Category: Uncategorized

Tis the season for celebrations of all sorts and this weekend (Dec. 6 and 7) sure seems to be the weekend of open houses at wineries. And of course – this is the last weekend of Wassail – a celebration at wineries throughout Prince Edward County.

I’ve been getting a ton of invitations to open houses and other festive events at Ontario Wineries. Here’s a sample of some things going on this weekend:

  • 13th Street Winery is hosting Holiday Tips & Tastes Sat. from 11-5
  • Aura Wines is having a Sip & Shop Christmas Open House Sat. and Sun. from 11-5
  • Calamus Estate Winery is having a Holiday Open House on Sat. from 11-5:30
  • DiProfio Wines is having a Christmas Open House both Sat. and Sun from noon-6
  • Foreign Affair Winery is having an Open House both Sat. and Sun.
  • GreenLane Estate Winery is having a Holiday Open House Sat. from 11-5
  • Niagara College Teaching Winery and Brewery is having a Holiday Open House Sat. from 11-4
  • Kacaba Vineyards is having a Holiday Open House both Sat. and Sun.
  • Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery is having a 5th Anniversary event both Sat. and Sun. from noon-5
  • Vineland Estates Winery is having The Five Elves Yuletide Tour on Sat. and Sun.

Last Weekend of Taste the Season 2014

Published on by Ingrid Sapona Category: Events and Festivals

A friend and I checked out the last weekend of Taste the Season 2014 yesterday. After feeling a bit disappointed last weekend, I’m happy to report that yesterday’s outing was up to the standards that I’ve come to expect of such events.IMG_2199

Most of the wineries yesterday were a lot quieter than the previous weekends of the event – perhaps because folks were out taking advantage of Black Friday sales. Mind you, the fact that the wineries were less crowded might have also been one of the reasons we enjoyed it more than the previous weekend.

IMG_2201I’m also really pleased to say that after ragging about the fact that some wineries were doing a lame job in terms of the effort they put into serving the food they were featuring – yesterday was much better. Indeed – hats off to Strewn – they did a magnificent job. They are running Taste the Season in their Cooking School facilities where they’ve created proper place settings with information about the wine (a 2007 “intentionally aged” Riesling). When guests arrive, a member of the staff pours the wine and carefully describes it and the Canadian-sourced trio of nibbles that are plated on unique-shaped dishes. Well done!

My favourite wine of the day was the PondView 2012 Bella Terra Cabernet Franc, which is on sale for the event. My favourite pairing was at Riverview Cellars, which was serving its 2013 Sauvignon Blanc with a golden beet salad on a bed of arugula.IMG_2209IMG_2207

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today is the last day of Taste the Season 2014, so there’s still time for you to get out and enjoy. And don’t forget – many of the wineries are running their own Black IMG_2205Friday-type specials. I took advantage of one such sale at Riverview – they’re offering any three of their VQA wines for $35 – that’s a great deal! I brought home 3 of their 2013 Sauvignon Blancs, which are normally $16.95/each.

And why not?

Published on by Ingrid Sapona Category: Miscellaneous Musings

Though we here in Ontario had Thanksgiving last month — living so close to the U.S. border, it’s hard not to take note of the fact that our American friends are celebrating tomorrow.IMG_1799  And of course, just as morning follows night, so Black Friday follows Thanksgiving. (For those of you living under a rock, Black Friday is — the bargain hunter’s dream day — or 36 hours, given how many stores are opening on Thursday night.)

This week I’ve gotten more than a flurry of e-mails from Ontario wineries announcing they’re jumping on the band wagon and offering Black Friday specials themselves. Some are offering discounts on certain wines, others are offering mix-and-match cases or half-cases — and many are offering free shipping. And I say, why not!

So, if you’re planning your holiday parties — Friday (and in some cases they’re extending the specials through the weekend) is a good day to go on-line and check out some of the deals being offered by Ontario wineries in honour of Black Friday.

 

Taste the Season — Part 2

Published on by Ingrid Sapona Category: Events and Festivals

Just back from another day of Taste the Season in Niagara-on-the-Lake with another friend. We stopped at five wineries and the pairings were very different at each.

IMG_2189By far our favourite was at Diamond Estates where they were pouring their 2013 EastDell Estates Black Label Barrel Aged Chardonnay paired with creamy, cheesy autumn potato and sweet leek bisque. The wine paired very well with the soup. Of course, an overcast, cold November day is perfect for a hearty soup. But, it wasn’t just the taste that we appreciated. Indeed, the fact that it was served in demitasse china cups was a welcome touch. (I don’t mind saying I’m always a bit disappointed when they serve something on a cheap white napkin – they don’t serve their wines in a paper cup – show some respect for the food!)

The other pairing we gave high marks to was at Southbrook. They were serving their 2012 Triomphe Cab Franc with a bite-size duck confit/pear and brie phyllo tart.IMG_2188

To be honest, there were a few disappointments, especially in terms of the food. At the last place we stopped (it was about 3:30), I’d say the chafing dish of food probably tasted good around noon – but by later in the day it was pretty unappealing. But, you win some, you lose some…

A Sampling from Taste the Season

Published on by Ingrid Sapona Category: Events and Festivals, Niagara-on-the-Lake Region

Between the Lines Taste the Season-2014 IMG_2175A friend and I stopped in at six Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries participating in Taste the Season yesterday. It was great to see so many people out and I got the distinct impression that many folks started by sampling the wine that was featured as part of Taste the Season, but they then headed over to the tasting bar to try other wines.

Ravine Vineyards Taste the Season 2014 IMG_2172

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite pairing of the day was Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery’s 2012 Ravine Chardonnay paired with a rich chicken stew with mushrooms foraged by the chef. Delicious!

In terms of notable wines, both my friend and I both liked the 2012 Cabernet Merlot at Palatine Hills and we agreed that it seems like a wine that would be even better as it ages a bit. My friend’s favourite wine was Hinterbook’s 2011 Cabernet/Merlot. My favourite (despite the silly name) was Stratus’ 2011 Kabang Red, which is a blend at Stratus.Stratsu Taste the Season 2014 IMG_2183

It was also great to have a chance to try Lemberger, a varietal that I’ve never tried before. Between the Lines was featuring their 2012 Lemberger.

We also did an olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting at OLiV, which is at Hinterbrook. We were both wowed by the infused oils and the different combinations. As one person doing the tasting with us said when we tried the OLiV Italian Herb Extra Virgin Olive Oil & OLiV Garlic Cilantro Balsamic, it was like liquid bruschetta!

Hinterbrook Oliv Shop Taste the Season 2014 IMG_2181Taste the Season continues the next two weekends – and I’ll be heading back to NOL to stop in at some of the other 20 wineries we didn’t get to yesterday.