Niagara-on-the-Lake

… is a quaint little town and also Ontario’s most established wine region.

We could just see Toronto on the horizon.

Around 40 years ago, a handful of visionaries came to this fertile stretch of shore at the western edge of Lake Ontario and transplanted the vines that began the wine industry. Around 30 wineries are scattered across the landscape of vineyards, farms and fruit orchards.

We barely scratched the surface and visited 5 wineries in total:

Jackson Triggs Niagara Estates – Established in 1993, it’s one of the largest wineries in the area. Many varieties can be found in the local off-licences, however, the tastings on offer were only available from the winery. The reds we tried were Pinot Noir Grand Reserve 2012 (which we purchased), Pinot Noir Le Clos Jordanne, Delaine Cabernet Merlot and Delaine Syrah. They also make 4 types of ice-wine – Vidal (available in off-licences), Gewürztraminer, Riesling (my favourite) and Cabernet Franc.

Peller Estates – we tried the Rose, Gamay Noir and Meritage (a Bordeaux-style wine which is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon). Nothing really hit the spot and the experience was dull and off-putting. We would have had a better experience in a local supermarket! Needless to say, we didn't buy anything.

Inniskillin Niagara Estate – the first vines were planted in 1974 and harvested in 1977. They are renowned for their icewines and the Vidal is available in most off-licences here. The Riesling left a nice lemon/lime taste on the palate and the Cabernet Franc was strawberry jam in a glass, but far too sweet for me. This winery also make excellent table wines including Pinot Noir Rose and two varieties of Pinot Noir, Merlot Cab Franc, Shiraz Cabernet and Meritage which was definitely to our tastes, and many whites including a Reserve Viognier Botrytis which was extremely yummy and reminiscent of the wines we had in New Zealand.

Reif Estate Winery – One of the founding family wineries in this region opened in 1982. The large 50 acres vineyard produces a complete range of whites, reds and dessert wines. We tried The Magician-Pinot Noir Shiraz as it was a blend we hadn't tried before, but it was a bit sweet for our tastes and the Pinot Noir was OK but a bit thin. The Cabernet Rose however was fresh and nice and dry so we bought a case J

Colaneri Estate Winery –  

A fairly new family owned (Italian) and operated winery, making Italian style wines here in Ontario. This was our last stop and the most enjoyable. Everything we tried was to our tastes (like Langmeil in the Barossa Valley). We tried their Red Blend (Cab Sauvignon, Syrah, Cab Franc and Merlot), Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Carposo (made in the traditional “Ripasso” style). Unfortunately we couldn't afford to buy it all so we settled for a mixed case of the Syrah and Carposo.

So, here is our little collection that should keep us going for a week or two J