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News from the Ontario Vines
Fred Couch, Ontario Wine Society – Niagara Chapter
Photograph by © F.G. Couch
Each January, the Niagara Region celebrates Icewine with a month of festivals, special events, tastings and dinners. The celebrations started off this year with the Annual Icewine Gala at the Niagara Fallsview Casino. Over 25 Ontario wineries presented Canada’s largest tasting of internationally acclaimed Icewines and other wines. The chefs of 17 Noir and Golden Lotus restaurants prepared special Niagara cuisine to accompany the wine.
On the weekend of January 16 th the festivities took place in the village of Jordan. However, there were a few changes this year. The Twenty Valley Association took over the organization of the event this year and in order for wineries that don’t make Icewine to participate, the name was changed to the “Not Just Icewine” Festival. Also, due to funding shortages, the ever popular “ice bar” wasn’t built this year but there were a number of ice sculptures in the street. Dozens of wineries were on hand serving their Icewine, sparkling and other wines. There were a number of food stations serving up such items as hot onion soup (the Good Earth Cooking School), fresh cut French fries with a special ketchup (About Thyme Bistro) and roasted chestnuts on a “Big Green Egg” barbeque.
Photograph by © F.G. Couch
Sharon Marks, President
of the Ontario Wine Society – Niagara Chapter serves
an Icewine in Jordan
On January 23 rd the Icewine Festival moved to “ Old Town”, Niagara-on-the-Lake. 21 wineries and 12 local restaurants participated. Crowds estimated at 12,000 attended on Saturday! Visitors tasted Icewine, sampled the food and looked at the various ice sculptures along Queen Street. In the evening there was an Icewine martini competition, which attracted about 400 visitors. De Luca's Restaurant came first in the contest with a pear-inspired martini, while Stone Road Grille took second place with its carnival cotton candy apple cocktail. Organizers from the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce stated that this year’s festival “exceeded our expectations”
Another feature of the Icewine Festival is the Discovery Pass. For one set price, pass holders could visit six wineries for a food and wine experience. Some of the highlights were “Icewine Three Ways” at Calamus Estate Winery. Participants were able to taste Vidal Icewine with pâté, Riesling Icewine paired with artisan cheese and Cabernet Franc Icewine with chocolate.
At Fielding Estates Winery they served gourmet “Icewine Baked Beans” with either a 2007 Late Harvest Cabernet Franc or their 2007 Cabernet/Syrah. Konzelmann Estate Winery presented their unique ‘Eskimo Kisses’ - a decadent Belgian chocolate cup filled with their award winning 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine crowned with extra-dark chocolate shavings.
Photo by Bruce Jackson
A big attraction at Inniskillin each year is the ice bar. Katia Cristicini was serving complimentary tastings of the Olympic Vidal Icewine.
Previous Articles by Fred Couch
~ Jan 2010
~ Dec 2009
~ Aug 1 2009
~ Sept 2009
~ Calamus Estate Winery
~ Oct 09 Grape King
~ Nov 09
