As we enter fall, there’s never been a better time to explore local wines and wineries. Here with her tips is Natalie MacLean who offers North America’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com.
Welcome Natalie.
First tell us why it’s a great time to explore Niagara wines.
– Delicious and pair well with fall dishes
– Fall harvest is beautiful time to visit the region
– Support local producers, Every bottle of Canadian wine made from Canadian grapes contributes about $80 to the economy versus $18 for an import. $11.6 billion to the economy with spin off jobs in restaurants etc 45,000 jobs
Which wine do you have for us first?
EastDell Black Cab is a full-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Baco Noir. It offers aromas of blackberry and spice. It would be great with grilled steaks and burgers.
EastDell Black Cab
Ontario V.Q.A.
What can we do if we visit the winery?
The winery offers gentle goat yoga classes where these cute critters actually participate in the class with you.
After class, you can enjoy a wine tasting as well as pairings like Smores chocolate.
Which wine is next?
Trius Sparkling Rosé is a terrific pink bubbly made using the traditional Champagne method. It offers notes of wild field strawberries and melon. Pair it with a creamy brie cheese on a crusty baguette.
Trius Brut Rosé Sparkling
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A.
Tell us about visiting Trius.
The art installations at Trius made it one of the most Instagrammable wineries on the planet! You can take pictures in the bubble lounge or bubble tub as well as in front of the Rosé all Day wall.
Trius is home to the largest underground sparkling cellar in Canada.
Chef Frank Dodd creates locally-inspired meals at the winery restaurant where, of course, they pair the dishes with their wines.
You have a Riesling next. Who made it?
This Riesling is made by Cave Spring, one of the best, if not the best, Riesling producers in the country. It’s crisp and mouth-watering with notes of lime zest and lemon sunshine. Pair it with roast chicken or turkey.
Cave Spring Dry Riesling
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada
What can we expect from a visit at Cave Spring?
The winery has a new tasting room that’s visually spectacular. Of course, you can do tastings there that look out on the vineyards.
You can also visit the village that has quaint shops, an inn and a terrific restaurant.
You have something sweet as your next choice.
Indeed, I have the Vidal Icewine from Reif Estates. It has luscious flavours of apricot and peach preserves. It would be amazing with a fall fruit cobbler.
Reif Estate Winery Vidal Icewine
Niagara River, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada
Does the winery do something fun with this wine?
Reif offers creative icewine pairings with dried fig and blue cheese, duck confit, peach cheesecake and chocolate dipped in orange. They also make icewine slushies.
You have a red for us. Which one?
Tawse Pinot Noir Growers Blend is a smooth, medium-bodied wine with seductive aromas of ripe cherry and spice. Pair it with game birds and fall walks.
Tawse Growers Blend Pinot Noir
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada
What can we do at Tawse?
The winery offers a cozy tasting room. There’s lots of different themed tastings, including cheese and charcuterie. They also have goats if you want to do a goat tour.
And to finish off?
Fresh Moscato is a great way to kick off the new season. It has lovely aromas of field flowers and peach. It would be perfect with spicy dishes and curries.
Fresh Beginnings Moscato
Ontario V.Q.A.
What’s available at the winery?
They do wonderfully fun snack tastings.
This is also the home of the Shiny Apple Cidery, if you love cider, too.
Shiny Apple Cider Rosé
Ontario, Canada
Thank you, Natalie! You’ll find all the wines we discussed today on Natalie’s website at nataliemaclean.com.
Posted with permission of CHCH.
