From our August, 2008 edition

The warm weather is the perfect time to visit nearby wine country in Niagara. This world-famous wine region is expanding in leaps and bounds with more than 60 wineries to its credit making it truly a showcase for Canada.

Its wines have been winning awards in international competitions steadily. Varieties and selected wineries that excel with them include:

Chardonnay – Henry of Pelham, Niagara College, 13th Street, Mike Weir Winery;
Riesling – Dry: Cave Spring Cellars, Vineland;
Icewine – Royal de Maria, Jackson Triggs, Inniskillin, Thirty Bench;
Sauvignon Blanc – Vineland, Peninsula Ridge;
Gewurztraminer – Fiedling Estate;
Vidal Blanc Icewine – Birchwood, Vineland, Willow Heights, Reif, Peller Estates;
Baco Noir – Henry of Pelham, Lakeview Cellars;
Cabernet Franc – Vineland, Pelee Island, Niagara College;
Cabernet Sauvignon – Creekside, Southbrook Vineyards;
Gamay – 13th Street, Cave Spring Cellars; Merlot – Pillitteri, Hernder;
Pinot Noir – Le Clos Jordanne, Coyote Run, Henry of Pelham;
Syrah/Shiraz – Jackson Triggs, Creekside;
Meritage (blended) – 13th Street, Hillebrand, Reif, Henry of Pellham;
Rosé – Henry of Pelham, Creekside, Malavoire, Peninsula Ridge;
Sparkling – Hillebrand, Henry of Pelham, Cave Spring Cellars

Many of the wineries have fantastic restaurants to indulge in the local cuisine accompanied by world-class local wines. They include Angel’s Gate, Cave Spring Cellars, Creekside Estate, Eastdell Estates, Featherstone Estate, Harvest Estate, Henry of Pelham, Hernder Estate, Hillebrand Estate, Niagara College, Peller Estates, Peninsula Ridge, Puddicombe Estate Farms, Ridgepoint, Rockway Glen, Strewn and Vineland Estates.

To make your visit to Niagara wine country more rewarding, here are the ‘good doctor’s’ golden rules for making the most out of this outing.

Plan ahead. Choose three or four wineries that are relatively close together, a few smaller ones and a few larger ones. Make sure one of them has a restaurant on site so you can dine there without having to look around for somewhere to eat.

Bring some bottled water with you. Avoid wearing strong smells. Wear dark clothes in case you spill something on yourself. Experiment with different wine styles and varieties. Ask questions. Take lots of breaks and nibble often.

Most importantly, don’t swallow. If you want to indulge, make sure you have a designated driver and know when to call it quits.

New highlights in Niagara include the recently opened Southbrook Vineyards, Niagara-on-the-Lake (formerly located north of Toronto), with its stunning architecture and open concept glass walls. Owners Bill and Marilyn Redelmeier and winemaker extraordinaire, Ann Sperling, have gone to great extremes to create a certified organic, biodynamic winery with even talk of using sheep to control the growth between vines in the vineyards.

In St. Davids, celebrity chefs Anna Olson (Food Network) and husband Michael Olson (Global TV and Niagara College) have opened Olson Foods at Ravine.

This new location, to compliment their Port Dalhousie operation, teams them up with Niagara’s newest winery, Ravine Vineyard Estate, where they offer artisanal breads, fine cheeses, signature sweets, event cakes, café lunches and vineyard weddings.

Catch Doc’s weekly Wine Features on 97.3 FM, EZ Rock radio every Wednesday at approximately 5:15 p.m., or by clicking the link on his home page.