Ontario’s finance minister says the province will be moving ahead with an expansion of beer and wine sales into corner stores, big box stores and more grocery stores, promising the move will cut prices and prevent any potential privatization of the LCBO. Vic Fedeli said Thursday that the Progressive Conservative government will make good on a pledge made during last spring’s election to offer consumers more choice when it comes to where they can purchase booze. Ontario currently has the lowest density of retail outlets selling beer, wine, cider and spirits in Canada, Fedeli said, with less than 3,000 outlets selling alcohol compared to Quebec’s approximately 8,000. For more on this story visit globalnews

CELEBRATE HARVEST WITH US! It’s our favourite time of year in wine country – HARVEST! Join us at our wineries and distillery to discover new wine releases, savour farm-to-table cuisine at our winery restaurants and patios, and experience wine & whisky like never before with interactive tours and dining events. Whether you’re visiting for a few hours or a few days, we have exciting experiences awaiting you! Call our Wine Country Concierge to help with reservations for your next visit at: 1.888.673.5537 We look forward to welcoming you!

Niagara Wine & Graze the Bench I first was introduced to the Graze the Bench Festival in May 2014.  One day we were doing a mini-tour of the Twenty Valley area and noticed Graze the Bench being promoted at Angel’s Gate winery.  We picked up a brochure and had a listen to what the sommelier had to say.  It was pitched as an open concept wine tour with music, food, and of course, wine tasting.  It featured Niagara wine from the famous Twenty Valley pocket located near Beamsville, Ontario.  Reds, Whites, Rose, Honey Mead, you name it.  My wife and I decided to grab some tickets and give a try. One month later, on a hot summer’s day, my wife and I were dropped off at the Mike Weir Winery.  It was there we started our journey wine tasting some excellent Niagara wine.  The Mike Weir winery was packed and the music was slamming.  We were allowed complimentary tastings and…

Baco Noir is a (red) grape varietal that is mainly produced in the USA and Canada. The variety was brought over – from France – in the early 1950s to cooler viticulture regions such as Ontario and New York among a handful of other states. It originated with French grape experimenter Francois Baco, who crossed the Folle Blanche with an unknown varietal in the late 1800s. The hybrid – soon afterwards – was grown in Burgundy but not for long. It eventually left the Old World to find success in the New where it embraced the cooler climates. In Ontario, it begins growing (early) in the spring and ripens in early September.   Baco Noir has a medium body yet can produce bold earthy wines. It is a staple in Ontario and can be found in many of Niagara’s wineries.

Icewine is a type of wine that is made when grapes have been naturally frozen on the vine. Niagara is known for its wines, and it has been producing this unique wine since 1984. Since then it has become one of the leading producers of Icewine in the world. The Making of Icewine Icewine can be made from a variety of grapes, but the most popular varietals are Riesling, Vidal Blanc, and Cabernet Franc. In order to produce the correct amount of sweetness, the grapes are left on the vines until temperatures reach negative 8 degrees Celsius or below, which makes Niagara the perfect locale. The grapes are pressed while still frozen and only a tiny amount of concentrated juice is removed. The resulting wine contains high sugar and low alcohol.   Icewine Festival  Every January, the Niagara region celebrates its Icewine with a three weekend festival. The affair takes place at Niagara-on-the-Lake, and a wide variety of community, restaurant,…

If you are planning a trip to Niagara to see the falls, keep in mind that it is also wine country. It is a great place to grab a group of friends, rent a limo, and visit some of the over 100 wineries to try the local wine. Taking a wine tour is a great way to experience the region without worrying about driving or planning details.   Types of Transportation   Depending on the size of your party and your budget, there are a number of ways that you can get around the region without having to drive yourself. A town car is perfect for two or three people, and a limo is a popular choice for parties of up to eight. There are also busses available for bigger groups, ranging from 12 to 28 people.   Guided or Self-Guided Tours   As far as the tours themselves, there are a number of options. You can choose five or…

Niagara is known for its wines, and Rieslings are one of the more popular varietals produced in the region. Riesling thrives in the cool climate conditions of the area, and it is a very versatile wine that pairs with a wide assortment of food. The next time you are in the area, make sure to visit the local wineries and try their Rieslings along with other varietals.   History of Riesling in Niagara   The wine renaissance began in Niagara in the early 1970s. The Riesling grape was an obvious choice for planting, as the cool temperatures of Canada made it a natural locale for this hardy variety. The first Riesling, the vines coming from a nursery in Germany, was sowed in 1976 at Vineland Estates. The reputation of the wine began to spread in the early 1980s, which attracted German, and even Italian, families.   The Pennachetti family founded Cave Spring winery and moved Riesling into the mainstream. They…

Niagara is a beautiful region, and it is also known for its local wine. One of the best ways to explore the area is to visit a number of the wineries and taste what they have to offer. In order for you to have the best experience possible, a few simple tips will help you enjoy your time. Choose the Wineries The region boasts over 75 wineries, so it would be impossible to visit them all in one trip. Some people like to plan their visits to wineries in specific regions, to keep driving to a minimum and to be able to visit more places. The main regions in the area are Niagara-on-the-Lake, Lake Erie North Shore & Pelee Island, Prince Edward County, and Niagara Escarpment & Twenty Valley. Other people may choose itineraries based on specific things, such as environmentally-friendly facilities or wineries that specialize in a favorite wine varietal. What to Expect Most wineries have a tasting bar…

After many months of research and hard work, Niagara Winery Reviews is finally ready to lift off!  The journey truly began when I was fielding questions about Niagara’s top wineries earlier this year.  After being asked “which is the best” over and over, I decided to do some research to see if there was any critical (and user-based) opinions on the net which could help determine an answer.  I didn’t find any (to my satisfaction), and decided to dedicate a website solely to winery reviews and the Niagara wine industry. Niagara Winery Reviews will not only be a review website, but a dedicated source for Niagara wine industry information.  In the future we hope to have guest bloggers, wine newsletters, tour information (and sponsors), event information, wine club info, maps, and more!  Today we are just happy to launch and hope that we can begin our journey and start collecting reviews of all the Niagara wineries.  Who knows… maybe some…