All posts tagged Cave Spring

Cave Men Bubbly

by Kato on December 2, 2009 in Vintages Picks, Wine Picks with No comments

cheninblancCAVEThe folks at Cave Spring have come out with Canada’s first bubbly produced from Chenin Blanc grapes. The Loire Valley in France has been making sparkling Chenin for decades, and it’s always been one of my favourite alternatives to Champagne. Cave’s wine is very pure, light and delicate, and falls somewhere between Champagne and Prosecco styles. Super crisp aperitif or oyster wine.

Two things I really like about this wine are its superb quality and its truly local expression. France is the role model, but the delicacy and purity of expression are uniquely Niagara. Pour with pride.

Cave Spring Cellars 06 Chenin Blanc Sparkling, VQA Niagara
128363  $29.96 (an LCBO holiday release)

P.S. Home for the Holidays: Cave Spring and Inn on the Twenty will be hosting a wine and food pairing event on December 5th and 19th at 11:30 featuring holiday hors d’oeuvres such as smoked salmon on rye toast with fruit mustard cream, with wines to match and recipes to take home so you can impress everyone when you entertain over the holidays!!  Reservations required.  $15. per person. Please email at  retail@cavespring.ca or call 905-562-3581 ext 302

Auld Lang Wine: January 9th and 10th 1pm – 3pm  (no reservations required) A chance to purchase some of the old wines of Cave Spring Cellars. Bottles from 2000 to 2006 vintages including Riesling, Chardonnay and an assortment of reds.  Many of these wines will be in very limited quantity and some will be available for tasting.

Check Out the Cave

by Kato on June 16, 2009 in Billy's World, Events with No comments

caverows1Fellow hikers! Summer is the time to check out the beauty of the Niagara Escarpment. And Cave Spring Cellars – situated in the sweet hamlet of Jordan – is a good place to start. The winery is offering a ‘moderate level hike along the picturesque route through wooded slopes to quiet ponds’ Saturday June 20 and June 27th from 11am to 2pm. Cost is $25 per person and includes the hike (of course),  a tasting of their Rieslings in the vineyard and an in-depth pairing of Estate wines and artisnal cheeses at the winery after the hike.

Call to reserve. Should be lovely! 905.562.3581 x 304

Niagara Wine Tours

by Kato on April 13, 2009 in Food & Restaurants, Travel Notes, Wine Picks with Comments Off

before you go Pick up a copy of Wineries of Ontario at LCBO stores. It has maps and all the contact info for wineries, restaurant and hotels. www.winesofontario.ca

the low down The wonderful 07 Vintage is the current hot topic but don’t overlook the wines of 06, which are drinking really well right now. This cool year produced light wines that are truly local in character.

There are 2 district regions – the flat lands of Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) and the more sloped escarpment of Beamsville/Jordan/Vineland. The two regions are separated by the city of St. Catharines. If you’re on a day trip, I suggest you don’t try to visit both regions as this involves highway travel and that ruins the Niagara experience. The QEW is to Niagara what Yonge Street is to Toronto – a central artery best avoided. You need at least two days. Three would be better – especially if you want to take time to smell the roses. I like to do the Niagara-on-the-Lake region first, heading down York Road to Queenston, and then up the beautiful Parkway. A little refreshment on the back patio of the Riverbend Inn, and I’m in the zone.

Don’t spend all your time at wineries. At least take a break for lunch.

When confronted by a tasting bar with dozens of wines, try saying this: “Take me through a day of wine – lunch, aperitif, appetizers, main course, after dinner, nite cap. And how about something novel, an adventure?” This way you’re tasting with context in mind.

Niagara is producing some of the most exciting $20-$30 wines in the world.

Treat yourself. If you’re spending a few days consider staying at Inn on the Twenty in Jordan. Upscale but friendly, relaxed and everything in good taste. Some rooms have a garden, and breakfast in the grand dining room is a fab way to start the day.

On the restaurant scene, Stone Road Grille, located just outside Niagara-on-the-Lake is a rare Ontario edition of the bistro experience. Locally popular, personable owners and staff, bustling, informal atmosphere, generous  food portions, a commitment to local produce and wines, reasonable prices…you must go. (Reservations 905-468-3474)

best new attractions: Southbrook’s stunning modern winery – with a ‘great wall’ and pizza patio. Organized Crime’s sexy tasting room. Olson’s Foods and Bakery shop at Ravine Winery. Chefs Michael and Anna Olson have opened a big food shop/café on a lovely woodsy hillside in the village of St. David’s. It’s part of a complex containing Ravine Winery. Top quality foods and a rustic setting – can’t beat that.

Best winery reception on my last visit was by Lindsay at Thirty Bench. Most intelligent restaurant service was Christina at Hillebrand. Continue reading →

 

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