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.

You know it’s good when…

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

Last week Tom Magliozzi died – he was one of the co-hosts of National Public Radio’s Car Talk. I never listed to the show, but I gather it was very popular and Tom was well loved. A couple of different newscasts that mentioned his passing ran a clip that was so funny (and so true). In response to the question of how you know if you have a good auto mechanic, Tom answered, “by the size of his boat!”

Well, that indirect indication of the popularity of something came to mind recently I asked three friends if they’d be interested in going to Taste the Season with me. Without a moment’s hesitation they all responded with, “I’d love to!”

I was honestly surprised by how fast they all got back to me. I don’t know about you — but I find that everyone is so busy these days, it can be a truly up-hill battle trying to get together with friends for fun outings. (Especially as we get near the holidays, which means year-end projects at work and busier than usual social schedules.)

My takeaway from the overwhelming positive response I got from my friends is that the wineries have hit on a terrific idea with Taste the Season.

So – if your November weekends aren’t already chock full – or if there are some friends you may be wondering what to get for the holidays – why not invite them to join you for a day (or more) of winery hoping and wine shopping. I’ll bet you’ll find they’ll jump at the idea.

Taste the Season starts this Friday (Nov. 7, 2014).

Taste the Season 2014 Pairings

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

The wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake announced the pairings for their Taste the Season event, which starts Novemer 7, 2014 and runs for four weekends in November (Fridays –  Sundays).

Passports are on sale now for $44.25 (totalling $53.39 with the tax and service charge). There’s also a designated driver pass for $35 ($42.94 all in). Passports can be purchased on-line.

I’m planning on popping down to NOL for the event and I’ll do a posting then, but in the meanwhile here’s a list of the 26 wineries and the food pairings for 2014:

BETWEEN THE LINES
2012 Lemberger paired with venison goulash, braised red cabbage with cherries and buttery spatzle

CATTAIL CREEK ESTATE WINERY
2010 Estate Series Pinot Noir paired with mixed wild mushroom risotto drizzled with handcrafted rosemary oil and topped with shaved parmesan

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES
Brut Sparkling Wine paired with brown butter roasted squash and dijon mascarpone strudel

COYOTE’S RUN ESTATE WINERY
2012 Cabernet Merlot paired with open faced focaccia charcuterie stack with a tomato basil chutney

DIAMOND ESTATES – THE WINERY
2013 EastDell Estates Black Label Barrel Aged Chardonnay paired with creamy autumn potato and sweet leek bisque, made with full country cream and aged white cheddar

HINTERBROOK ESTATE WINERY
2011 Cabernet/Merlot paired with slow-cooked shredded steak and fusili compote

INNISKILLIN WINES
2012 Vidal Icewine paired with carmelized onion tart with Ontario goat cheese and thyme

JACKSON-TRIGGS NIAGARA ESTATE WINERY
2012 Niagara Estate Grand Reserve Riesling paired with cold water shrimp jambalaya with house cured taso ham

JOSEPH’S ESTATE WINES
2008 Caroline Gamay Rose paired with Nutella opera slice

KONZELMANN ESTATE WINERY
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon paired with slow cooked black angus Alberta beef topped with PEI lobster

LAILEY VINEYARD
2013 Cabernet Merlot paired with rustic pork terrine with maple smoked bacon and cranberry compote

MARYNISSEN ESTATES WINERY
2013 Red Blend paired with sundried tomato and olive tapenade on French bread

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY
2012 Dean’s List Prodigy Icewine paired with spiced pumpkin cheesecake with a chocolate crust and ginger cream

PALATINE HILLS ESTATE WINERY
2012 Cabernet Merlot paired with spiral of beef on infused quinoa enhanced with raspberry preserve and merlot wine reduction

PELLER ESTATES WINERY
2012 Private Reserve Cabernet Franc paired with carmelized onion pulled pork with roasted red pepper and feta compote on a peppercorn and shallot focaccia

PILLITTERI ESTATES WINERY
2012 Oak Aged Chardonnay paired with chef Collin Goodine’s savoury sage and squash soup

PONDVIEW ESTATE WINERY
2012 Bella Terra Cabernet Franc paired with 5 bean chili with pulled pork and ground beef on an open-face mini ciabatta bun

RANCOURT
2009 Merlot paired with garlic teriyaki oven-roasted chicken wing

RAVINE VINEYARD ESTATE WINERY
2012 Ravine Chardonnay paired with chicken and biscuits: farm chicken stew with foraged mushrooms, autumn vegetables and ravine puff pastry biscuits

REIF ESTATE WINERY
2009 ‘Back Vintage’ Riesling Icewine paired with jalapeno pepper flatbread topped with Niagara pear, brie and icewine apricot glaze

RIVERVIEW CELLARS ESTATE WINERY
2013 Sauvignon Blanc paired with herbed goat cheese and wood oven roasted vegetable tart

SMALL TALK VINEYARDS
2013 Riesling paired with handmade speculaas, a Dutch cookie, with nutmeg, allspice, mace and other delectable spices and brushed almond spread

SOUTHBROOK VINEYARDS
2012 Triomphe Cab Franc paired with duck confit/pear and brie phyllo tart

STRATUS VINEYARDS
2011 Kabang Red paired with Treadwell “Farm to Table” tortière

STREWN WINERY
2007 Riesling (Dry) Library Release paired with harvest vegetable terrine, fig, pear & orange compote on cured meat, aged Ontario cheddar

TRIUS WINERY AT HILLEBRAND
2013 Trius Cabernet Franc paired with spiced quinoa with chorizo sausage and a vine tomato sauce

Where Peter Piper Might Have Gone with His Pickles

Published on by Ingrid Sapona Category: Lake Erie/Pelee Island Region, Miscellaneous Musings

On a recent trip to the Lake Erie/Pelee Island region to visit wineries, Ann Wilson, owner of Oxley Estate Winery suggested I stop in at Lakeside Packing Company — she thought that being a foodie, I’d be interested in their business — and their story. Boy was she right!

Lakeside Packing IMG_2041Lakeside Packing Company is  just a few doors down from Oxley Estate Winery  on County Road 50. Ann’s interest in them started when Oxley, which happens to have a large asparagus patch, was looking for a way of packaging their pickled white asparagus. Turns out, she didn’t have to go far for her solution: Lakeside Packing.

Lakeside Packing is third generation family business that’s been around since 1942. Founder Charles Woodbridge started the packing business when he was looking for a way of preserving vegetables (in part to use up surplus crops) so that consumers could enjoy them year around. Using old family recipes, he started pickling different produce (pickles, mainly). He started with the traditional methods (wooden barrels and salt brine) but he experimented with other methods and developed innovations that increased the quality.Lakeside Packing IMG_2049

They supplied many large food retailers with product, producing products under those retailers’ labels, but they also co-packed for other processers. Beginning in 1948 they started offering products under their own Lakeside label and they haven’t looked back since. They still co-pack for other processers and they do some private label packing too – but the bulk of their revenue is from Lakeside brands.Snapshot 1 (28-08-2014 9-52 PM)

The company is in the hands of the second and third generation of Woodbridge, with founder Charles’ son Donald at the helm as president of the company and together with his wife Heidi (CFO) and their son Alan (vice-president) and Alan’s wife Susan. Here’s a short video of Alan talking about the company.

Like Coals to Newcastle

They produce over 70 products and sell around the world. Indeed, their biggest market is Germany. My favourite story is that they sell sauerkraut to Germany! Go figure… Their second biggest market is Australia, which explains why they have three clocks in their small office/retail shop: one that shows the local time, one that shows the time in German, and one that’s shows the time in Eastern Australia.

Besides pickles, peppers, and relishes, they also produce a variety of hot sauces, pasta sauces, barbeque sauces, and salsa, most of which are proudly Foodland Ontario labelled, which means the majority of the ingredients are from Ontario.

The Last Packer in Canada

One other interesting – and kind of disheartening – fact about Lakeside Packing is that they are the last packer in Canada.

Wine on the Horizon????Lakeside Packing IMG_2045

Alan does much of the development of markets around the world, but he also had a hand in product development. One of his latest innovations is cucumber wine. It’s not ready just yet, but he expects it will be soon. I asked whether it will be more like a wine-based vinegar or something that you might use in cooking and he clarified that it is definitely going to be a sipping wine. (I tried to coax a sample out of him but the bottle he had had been opened a few days and he was concerned with the oxidation – but he said maybe next time I stop in).

Thoughts of Bubbly

Published on by Ingrid Sapona Category: Miscellaneous Musings

Truth is, I love bubbly! That may not sound like much of a confession, but I’ve never liked any kind of soda – because of the carbonation. Yes, I realize the contradiction. But what can I say? It is definitely my all-time favourite drink.

Bubbly’s on my mind for a lot of reasons: I was delighted at the recent Taste Ontario event atthe Royal Ontario Museum by how many Ontario wineries that were there were offering bubbly. I knew of some of Ontario wineries that do bubbly (13th Street Winery and Henry of Pelham, Huff Estates Winery, Vieni Estates, and Hinterland Wine Company, for example) but I had no idea that Angel’s Gate Winery, Creekside Estate, Flat Rock Cellars, Sue-Ann Staff, Reif Estate Winery, and The Grange of Prince Edward also do.

Another reason bubbly has been on my mind is because I just finished reading a terrific book: The Widow Clicquot, by Tilar J. Mazzeo. It’s about Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin – THE Veuve (which is French for widow) Clicquot.

My sister recommended the book a couple years ago and I forgot about it until recently. It’s a fantastically interesting story about Barbe-Nicole, a young widow and mother who took the reins of the new winery her husband’s family founded. She grew the business and is credited with many of key innovations that helped the Champagne industry grow and flourish in the late 18th and early-19th century.

She solved one of the technical problems that had had dogged champagne makers: how to produce clear champagne. The solution she came up with: storing the bottles tip-down and at an angle (on a so-called riddling rack) so that the lees could settle and then be removed through a process of disgorging.

The book also provides lots of insights into many aspects of the wine industry. One of the biggest surprises to me, for example, was the fact that for a long time bottles were all blown glass, and not too sturdy at that. It wasn’t until bottles were made of forged glass that they became sturdy and more-or-less uniform in shape. And even when wines were bottled (many were sold in casks), they weren’t labelled. The initials of the winery might be on the cork or cask, but not on each bottle! Veuve Clicquot’s signature egg yolk yellow label was one of the first.

I highly recommend the book – it’s a great read. Only thing is, it made me thirsty – for bubbly and to learn more about the innovators in the wine industry!

P.S. If you’re particularly into the process of making bubbly, you might be interested in this video of Jonas Newman of Hinterland Wine Company explaining the different methods.