Can't think of a better way to spend a day with some old and dear friends and some new and interesting
friends ......
A little too early on Sunday morning, I was on the TTC at 9:00 am to meet a group of ladies for a wine-tasting day in the Niagara Region. My best friend put together an amazing itinerary of the top vineyards in the Niagara region, each with a special surprise. She also organized a limo for the day and we had the most charming and attentive driver, who took very good care of us and politely ignored the escalating wine-enhanced banter as the conversation inevitably turned to the shortfalls of the opposite sex.
First stop was Flat Rock Cellars with a warm up of three tastings, followed by a full glass of the preferred wine. Our hostess made sure we started off well fortified with an excellent cheese plate to share on the patio overlooking the vineyard. Recommendation - don't forget your cooler - this was a really nice touch (particularly for those of us that don't do breakfast).
Next stop, a full tour with tastings at Tawse Winery, the only organic, biodynamic, gravity-flow winery and a winner of numerous awards as best winery. An impressive facility, well worth the tour and not just because it was accompanied by tastings. Look for the chocolate samples, specifically formulated to go with wines - a nice change. The ladies did some shopping here.
Pelham was a great stop - the tasting room is a lot of fun and lots on offer to try. Picked up a few ice wines only available at the winery and got some good tips on ice wine martinis, cocktails, etc.
Got to Pizza in the Garden just in time to absorb the alcohol. Very creative pizzas, with wine pairings - who knew ! Nice leisurely lunch on the outdoor patio. Not enough umbrellas for all but we managed to chill here for a while.
You really have to stop at Strewn for dessert. After a little sangria and ice wine sampling, we treated ourselves to a thick, creamy ice wine shake. Have to admit this was the highlight of the tour for me. Make absolutely sure that you stop here on your wine tour for a shake and take home some of the ice wines - some are impossible or hard to find at the LCBO. Don't be shy to ask for the recipe for the ice wine shake.
A little too early on Sunday morning, I was on the TTC at 9:00 am to meet a group of ladies for a wine-tasting day in the Niagara Region. My best friend put together an amazing itinerary of the top vineyards in the Niagara region, each with a special surprise. She also organized a limo for the day and we had the most charming and attentive driver, who took very good care of us and politely ignored the escalating wine-enhanced banter as the conversation inevitably turned to the shortfalls of the opposite sex.
First stop was Flat Rock Cellars with a warm up of three tastings, followed by a full glass of the preferred wine. Our hostess made sure we started off well fortified with an excellent cheese plate to share on the patio overlooking the vineyard. Recommendation - don't forget your cooler - this was a really nice touch (particularly for those of us that don't do breakfast).
Next stop, a full tour with tastings at Tawse Winery, the only organic, biodynamic, gravity-flow winery and a winner of numerous awards as best winery. An impressive facility, well worth the tour and not just because it was accompanied by tastings. Look for the chocolate samples, specifically formulated to go with wines - a nice change. The ladies did some shopping here.
Pelham was a great stop - the tasting room is a lot of fun and lots on offer to try. Picked up a few ice wines only available at the winery and got some good tips on ice wine martinis, cocktails, etc.
Got to Pizza in the Garden just in time to absorb the alcohol. Very creative pizzas, with wine pairings - who knew ! Nice leisurely lunch on the outdoor patio. Not enough umbrellas for all but we managed to chill here for a while.
You really have to stop at Strewn for dessert. After a little sangria and ice wine sampling, we treated ourselves to a thick, creamy ice wine shake. Have to admit this was the highlight of the tour for me. Make absolutely sure that you stop here on your wine tour for a shake and take home some of the ice wines - some are impossible or hard to find at the LCBO. Don't be shy to ask for the recipe for the ice wine shake.
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