This past summer I had great fun with three of my best friends on a sunny July weekend showcasing Prince Edward County as a culinary tourism destination. This particular trip I worked in collaboration with Ford Motor Company and the PEC Tourism Board. It was my first visit to the region so it all felt like a sappy summer road trip adventure.
Niagara is another story. Near and dear to my heart, I have visited the vineyards of the region many times over as my parents have been members of several of their wine clubs. My grandfather lives in St. Catherines so many of our family visits to the area have included a quick stop to our favourite winery’s. In University when I studied Wine Oneoglogy my parents invited me to join them in Niagara’s Herb and Wine Festival where I had an excellent opportunity to visit a wide variety of the regions offerings.
Thanks to the Niagara on the Lake Tourism Board, last weekend I had the pleasure of showcasing the regions top dining establishments as well as participating in their Taste the Season Wine Festival. This particular festival is very similar to their Spring Herb and Wine Festival showcase. For each festival, participants are given a handy little passport with a map outlining the regions vineyards. The Taste the Season Festival focuses on offering exemplary wine and food pairings that celebrate the colour and crisp of Autumn.
My Aunt Susan recently moved from Oakville to the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s wine country so my sister and I took the opportunity to visit. We sipped and snacked at 17 winery’s in 7 hours over the course of our Saturday and Sunday.
Taste the Season Winery’s have been listed in the order visited:
LAILEY VINEYARD
2009 Cabernet Merlot
Coq au Vin
INNISKILLIN WINES
2007 Vidal Icewine
Icewine Sausage with Caramelized Onion Mustard
THE ICE HOUSE WINERY
2009 Jamie’s New Signature Series Big Red Icewine
Sliced Pear Rounds with Crisp Pancetta, Niagara Gold Cheese & Northern Ice Riesling Reduction
CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES
2007 Pinot Noir Estate Bottled
Roasted Mushroom Salad Crostini with Truffle Aioli & Pickled Onions
COYOTE’S RUN ESTATE WINERY
2009 Cabernet Merlot
Braised Beef Short Rib Taco with Pickled Pearl Onions, Grated Horseradish & Coriander
CATTAIL CREEK ESTATE WINERY
2007 Select Late Harvest Riesling
Gingerbread Cookie Sandwich filled with Lemon Creme
HILLEBRAND WINERY
2008 Showcase Wild Ferment Chardonnay
Truffle Mushroom Broth with Aged Cheddar Scone
POND VIEW ESTATE WINERY
2010 Gewürztraminer Riesling
Warm Pulled Pork on a Slice of Freshly Baked Baguette
JOSEPH’S ESTATE WINES
2008 Portraits of Honour Red
French Macaroon Filled with Red Pepper Jelly & Brie
STRATUS VINEYARDS
2007 Tollgate Red
Chef Stepen Treadwell’s Farm-to-Table Pulled Lamb Shoulder
JACKSON-TRIGGS NIAGARA ESTATE WINERY
2009 Black Series Merlot
Merlot Braised Shortrib with Fall Vegetables
RIVERVIEW CELLARS ESTATE WINERY
2009 Cabernet Franc
Crispy Skin Duck with Cherry Compote on Walnut Loaf
REIF ESTATE WINERY
2008 Chardonnay Reserve
Mutsu Apple, Bacon, Cold Pack Cheddar & Walnut Sage Pesto Pizza
SUNNYBROOK FARM ESTATE WINERY
2010 Cherry Wine
Chocolate Cherry Cookie
STREWN WINERY
2008 or 2009 Riesling
Winter Green Salad with Icewine Vinaigrette
KONZELMANN ESTATE WINERY
2010 Method Cuvée Close Rosé
Cranberry, Pear, Gorgonzola & Walnut Strudel Roll
SOUTHBROOK VINEYARDS
2008 Triomphe Chardonnay
Prosciutto & Pear Crostada with Smoked Comfort Cream
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