Niagara-on-the-Lake: Wine Tasting experience [Travel]
2007 Jul 4
Once we arrived at Inniskillin, we signed up for the tour immediately. $5 per person and they gave you a $5 coupon that you can redeem for wine purchase after the tour.
The tour was great! The guide gave us a company history of Inniskillin, talked about the environment in Niagara Peninsula and why the regions are so great to grow premium grapes for wines and Icewine, wine tasting techniques, why Icewine is so expensive and what VQA standard is. (I am still learning the wine tasting techniques –correct way to hold a wine glass; look at the color of the wine and check the clarity and color of the wine; swirl the wine in the glass by rotating your wrist to release the wine’s aromas to the top edge of the glass and check the bubbles to determine the age of the wine; sip the wine and get your taste buds working and this is the hard part).
Inniskillin’s Icewine is very famous. Inniskillin won the first award at Vinexpo in Bordeaux, France for their 1989 Vidal Icewine (now is selling for $109.95 per bottle, 1998 oak aged ).
Originally, I just wanted to use my $5 coupon to buy their Riesling white wine that I tasted. But I realized that I can buy that wine at LCBO. So, I put it back to the shelf.
My friend bought their Cabernet Franc Icewine ($109 per 375ml bottle). He told me that the taste is very different than others and he asked us to pay $7 to taste it first. So, we paid $7 and tried it first. Wow! It was so good! I am not a wine drinker. But the flavor just lingers in my mouth. I can’t help but to buy one for myself. However, I was told that Cabernet Franc Icewine is not sold at LCBO. So, we grabbed another bottle. We took home with 2 bottles of Cabernet Franc Icewine and 2 bottles of Vidal Icewine. We are broke!
www.inniskillin.com
The tour was great! The guide gave us a company history of Inniskillin, talked about the environment in Niagara Peninsula and why the regions are so great to grow premium grapes for wines and Icewine, wine tasting techniques, why Icewine is so expensive and what VQA standard is. (I am still learning the wine tasting techniques –correct way to hold a wine glass; look at the color of the wine and check the clarity and color of the wine; swirl the wine in the glass by rotating your wrist to release the wine’s aromas to the top edge of the glass and check the bubbles to determine the age of the wine; sip the wine and get your taste buds working and this is the hard part).
Inniskillin’s Icewine is very famous. Inniskillin won the first award at Vinexpo in Bordeaux, France for their 1989 Vidal Icewine (now is selling for $109.95 per bottle, 1998 oak aged ).
Originally, I just wanted to use my $5 coupon to buy their Riesling white wine that I tasted. But I realized that I can buy that wine at LCBO. So, I put it back to the shelf.
My friend bought their Cabernet Franc Icewine ($109 per 375ml bottle). He told me that the taste is very different than others and he asked us to pay $7 to taste it first. So, we paid $7 and tried it first. Wow! It was so good! I am not a wine drinker. But the flavor just lingers in my mouth. I can’t help but to buy one for myself. However, I was told that Cabernet Franc Icewine is not sold at LCBO. So, we grabbed another bottle. We took home with 2 bottles of Cabernet Franc Icewine and 2 bottles of Vidal Icewine. We are broke!
www.inniskillin.com
2007 Jul 4
On our way back to Toronto, we stopped at Angels Gate Winery. We tasted their 2006 Sussreserve Riesling (2) and 2005 Vidal Blanc (1). Our Canadian friend (both couple) like their Vidal ($12.15) while our Chinese friend like Riesling ($14.15 per bottle, 750ml). My husband and I like their Riesling as well. (Riesling is one of the most versatile of all grape varieties.)
I was told that their wines are sold at Beckta, Brookstreet, Courtyard, Domus Café, Eighteen, Juniper, Luxe Bistro, Merlot, Social, Urban Pear, etc. etc.
We had lunch at their patio. They have tapas style menu (see the photos below for the food we ordered). So we selected most of them to try the different flavour. Our friend is a member of their Barrel Club (the cost off Membership 225L New Oak Barrel is $1150.00) and he picked up the tab for us for the 2 bottles of white wines (Riesling Sussreserve) that we ordered for the lunch. I think it is a deduction from the barrel thing, something like that.
www.angelsgatewinery.com
I was told that their wines are sold at Beckta, Brookstreet, Courtyard, Domus Café, Eighteen, Juniper, Luxe Bistro, Merlot, Social, Urban Pear, etc. etc.
We had lunch at their patio. They have tapas style menu (see the photos below for the food we ordered). So we selected most of them to try the different flavour. Our friend is a member of their Barrel Club (the cost off Membership 225L New Oak Barrel is $1150.00) and he picked up the tab for us for the 2 bottles of white wines (Riesling Sussreserve) that we ordered for the lunch. I think it is a deduction from the barrel thing, something like that.
www.angelsgatewinery.com
2007 Jul 4
This is the Antipasto Platter ($15) paired with their Angels Gate's Sussreserve Riesling (2).
We really enjoyed the food and wine at their patio:
- Sliced melons were very sweet,
- tomato and bocconcini with Basil Pesto,
- shaved Bresaolo,
- smoked salmon with capers,
- spinach and artichoke dip.
Sitting in the patio, we can see Toronto. CN Tower just stands out!
We really enjoyed the food and wine at their patio:
- Sliced melons were very sweet,
- tomato and bocconcini with Basil Pesto,
- shaved Bresaolo,
- smoked salmon with capers,
- spinach and artichoke dip.
Sitting in the patio, we can see Toronto. CN Tower just stands out!
2007 Jul 4
Before I wrapped up this report, I need to mention the dinner we had at Pillar and Post Inn's Cannery dining room, which was rated #2 for all Niagara on the Lake restaurants. (My friend called up the Niagara Tourism for a recommendation and this restaurant was recommended to him.)
The restaurant has all brick walls and exposed beam ceilings with a kitchen prep in the middle of the dining room (see photo). Our table was close to that kitchen and I kept looking at that oriental chef who prepared all the appetizers and desserts. I saw him melting the sugar on the Crème Brulée using a blow torch. It was fun watching!
To start, I had their Soup Du Jour (which was chicken soup, $6) and my husband had their Cesar Salad ($12) for an appetizer. My friends had Crab Cakes ($16), Garlic Shrimp Cocktail ($15).
For entree, I had their Filet Mignon ($40) and my husband and other men had their special which was 2 Lobster Tail with steak ($52). Others had Veal ($28), Grilled Pork Medallions ($24).
For dessert, my hubby had Chocolate Cheesecake. My friends had Crème Brulée, and peanut tart. Each dessert costs $12 each.
The total cost for 8 persons after tax and tips was $720 (about $90 per person). Thanks to our good friend who picked up the bill for every one.
The restaurant has all brick walls and exposed beam ceilings with a kitchen prep in the middle of the dining room (see photo). Our table was close to that kitchen and I kept looking at that oriental chef who prepared all the appetizers and desserts. I saw him melting the sugar on the Crème Brulée using a blow torch. It was fun watching!
To start, I had their Soup Du Jour (which was chicken soup, $6) and my husband had their Cesar Salad ($12) for an appetizer. My friends had Crab Cakes ($16), Garlic Shrimp Cocktail ($15).
For entree, I had their Filet Mignon ($40) and my husband and other men had their special which was 2 Lobster Tail with steak ($52). Others had Veal ($28), Grilled Pork Medallions ($24).
For dessert, my hubby had Chocolate Cheesecake. My friends had Crème Brulée, and peanut tart. Each dessert costs $12 each.
The total cost for 8 persons after tax and tips was $720 (about $90 per person). Thanks to our good friend who picked up the bill for every one.
2007 Jul 5
Crème Brulée is ladies favourite. Two ladies ordered this. Ot
I am not going to show the peanut tart.
Before I logged off, I wanted to mention about their service. For the price they charged, I expect very good service. My hubby's main course was late when every one had started to eat their entree. The dessert server forgot my friend's capuccio and we had to call her back to ask about it. So, the service wasn't smooth. Otherwise, I was happy about the meal.
Note: The food photos were taken using my friend's new camera. That was Pansonic's Lumix. I was playing with his camera and like it very much. Small and easy to control.
I am not going to show the peanut tart.
Before I logged off, I wanted to mention about their service. For the price they charged, I expect very good service. My hubby's main course was late when every one had started to eat their entree. The dessert server forgot my friend's capuccio and we had to call her back to ask about it. So, the service wasn't smooth. Otherwise, I was happy about the meal.
Note: The food photos were taken using my friend's new camera. That was Pansonic's Lumix. I was playing with his camera and like it very much. Small and easy to control.
2007 Jul 6
It all looks fantastic, Ashley, and it's good to hear that you had a great time. Château des Charmes is a favourite winery of mine: I hardly ever have a misstep with them.
I did a similar thing over the weekend: this is the third year that I've spent Canada Day doing wine tours, and the third that we arranged through Crush on Niagara (www.crushtours.com). I've learned that the best way to prepare for these things is to set a budget and then check out the winery's web pages. Then again, I am a wine drinker, so I go on the tours in part to stock up on things that I can't find in the LCBO.
We hit Peninsula Ridge, Cave Spring, Calamus, Featherstone, Flat Rock, Strewn, and Stratus. It was most awesome. The car was way full of wine by the end of it!
Once I get my moleskine up to date, I may write up a little trip report of my own.
I did a similar thing over the weekend: this is the third year that I've spent Canada Day doing wine tours, and the third that we arranged through Crush on Niagara (www.crushtours.com). I've learned that the best way to prepare for these things is to set a budget and then check out the winery's web pages. Then again, I am a wine drinker, so I go on the tours in part to stock up on things that I can't find in the LCBO.
We hit Peninsula Ridge, Cave Spring, Calamus, Featherstone, Flat Rock, Strewn, and Stratus. It was most awesome. The car was way full of wine by the end of it!
Once I get my moleskine up to date, I may write up a little trip report of my own.
Ashley
I was told that Chateau des Charmes specializes in Bordeaux and Pinot Noir reds and Pinot Noir, Gamay, Chardonnay whites and Icewine.
Château des Charmes wines are available at most LCBO stores, but some of them are sold only through their own stores. They have 2 stores in Ottawa, one in Minto Place (Laurier Avenue at Lyon Street) and one at 1705 Merivale Rd.
They have public tours (including VQA wine tasting) daily at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Cost $5.00 per person. Since we were late, we didn’t make it for the 3:00 PM tour. The group decided to move on to our next stop – Inniskillin Winery.
I think it is a good place to stop if you’re touring Niagara in the summer. Find out more about them at: www.chateaudescharmes.com/