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Wine and Herb

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WineandHerb

Niagara on the Lake is ringing in spring with a wine tasting event that will have your taste buds begging for more! Wine and Herb is amongst Niagara’s largest and best known passport programs, and the 2013 event is sure to kick the wine tasting season off with a bang.

Hosted by the Wineries of Niagara on the Lake, this event showcases delicious Niagara VQA wines and herb-themed food at each of the locations (listed below) featured on the passport. Guests are invited to explore the wine region in their vehicle and stop at the spots where they’d most like to indulge.

With fresh flavours on the agenda at each stop we thought you might be overwhelmed… so we’ve bolded the locations below and given you a quick idea about the wine you’ll taste at a few of the spots we think are “must see”!

BETWEEN THE LINES WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Chives
2011 Riesling
Crusty Spring Buns Filled with a Tasty
Chive Cream

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Chives (Garlic)
2010 Sauvignon Blanc
Spring Asparagus with Peppered Goat Cheese
and Olive Oil

The 2010 Sauvignon Blanc from this Niagara wine country hot-spot is slightly off-dry and sings major tropical flavour on the palate. Pair that with the food of the Canadian Food and Wine Institute’s Benchmark Restaurant and you are headed straight for flavour country!

CATTAIL CREEK ESTATE WINERY
Herb Inspiration: French Thyme
2011 Serendipity Rosé
Turkey Sliders with French Thyme topped
with Cattail Creek’s Rhubarb Chutney

PALATINE HILLS ESTATE WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Garden Sage
2011 Quattro
Mango Jerk Chicken with Garden Sage

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES
Herb Inspiration: Basil (Lemon)
2011 Aligote
Coq au Vin Chicken Breast and Smoked
Chili Lemon Emulsion

PELLER ESTATES WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Tarragon
2011 Private Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
Halibut, Spring Asparagus and Estate
Tarragon Roulade

COLANERI ESTATE WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Garlic
2009 Chardonnay
Turkey Tetrazzini with Liberina’s Roasted
Garlic Cream Sauce

PILLITTERI ESTATES WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Caraway
2010 Merlot
White Bean Cassoulet with Home Grown
Pingue Caraway Sausage

COYOTE’S RUN ESTATE WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Hoja Santa
2009 Red Paw Vineyard Syrah
Adabo and Red Paw Syrah Braised Beef
Tostado (Mexican Pizza)

PONDVIEW ESTATE WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Coriander
2011 Harmony Red
Crispy Gingered and Coriander Herbed
Savoury Pork Rib

DIAMOND ESTATES – THE WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Lemon Grass
2011 Dan Aykroyd Sauvignon Blanc
Spring Rolls with Lemon Grass Dipping
Sauce and Cucumber Salad

RAVINE VINEYARD ESTATE WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Sage
2011 Sand & Gravel Cabernet Franc
Pork & Sage Meatballs with Pure & Free
Lowrey Bros. Tomato Sauce

HINTERBROOK ESTATE WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Saffron
2011 Riesling
Potato Croquettes with Saffron Aioli

A more recent addition to the Niagara landscape, this is a must-see winery with a passionate team of professionals at the helm. This 2011 Riesling is classic Niagara with tree fruit, green apple and some divine citrus zest to keep your taste bugs tingling!

REIF ESTATE WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Italian Parsley
2011 “The Empress” Chardonnay
Italian Parsley and “Grimo” Walnut Pesto Pasta Salad

INNISKILLIN WINES
Herb Inspiration: Cilantro
Late Autumn Riesling
Kent Farms Chicken Curry with Gomes
Tomato and Cilantro

RIVERVIEW CELLARS ESTATE WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Mojito Mint
2011 Bianco Riesling Gewurztraminer
Mojito Mint Pistachio Ice Cream

JACKSON-TRIGGS NIAGARA ESTATE WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Pennyroyal
2010 Silver Series Chardonnay
Pennyroyal Tea Hodge Podge – “Neeps
and tatties” from winter, Snap Peas
and House Smoked Spring Salmon

SMALL TALK VINEYARDS
Herb Inspiration: French Sorrel
2011 “For the Host” Sauvignon Blanc
Chilled Spring Pea and Sorrel Soup

JOSEPH’S ESTATE WINES
Herb Inspiration: English Lavender
2009 Baco Merlot
Lavender Asiago Shortbread

SOUTHBROOK VINEYARDS
Herb Inspiration: Arugula
2011 Triomphe Cabernet Franc Rosé
Spring Arugula Pesto Pasta with Crumbled Monforte “Elsie” Goat Milk Cheese

They had us at Rose! A favourite patio sipper, this Rose is only slightly off-dry and gives major pucker power on the palate with outstanding acidity. Plus it is paired with Monforte goat milk cheese… hello! Delicous!

KONZELMANN ESTATE WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Rosemary
2011 Pinot Noir
Chicken Slider served with Sun-Dried
Tomato and Feta Sauce

STRATUS VINEYARDS
Herb Inspiration: Coriander
2010 Mosaic
Coriander Carrot Shooter

LAILEY VINEYARD
Herb Inspiration: Fennel
2011 Vidal
Braised Fennel Sausage on a Bun

Nothing says spring like “straight from the grill”! Enjoying this particular Vidal with a sausage sounds like the ultimate spring time experience. Treat yourself, make this a must-see on your day of touring and tasting!

STREWN WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Basil
2009 Riesling Semi-Dry
“Basil Sampler”: Three Pepper with Basil and Lemon Bruschetta, Creamy Goat Cheese and Basil Spread, Sundried Tomato and Basil Tapenade

MARYNISSEN ESTATES WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Sage (Peppery)
2009 Merlot
Seared Sage Pork Belly with Merlot
Soaked Cherries

SUNNYBROOK FARM ESTATE WINERY
Herb Inspiration: Ginger
Peach Blossom
Spiced Peach Chutney with Tortilla Chips

TRIUS WINERY AT HILLEBRAND
Herb Inspiration: Small Leaf Basil
2012 Trius Sauvignon Blanc
Chilled Vine Tomato and Sweet Pepper Soup
with Garden Basil Pesto

The Author

Allie Hughes is the wine and culinary contributor to Naturally in Niagara, feasting on the decadent experience that is life in this region. With a fine wine sensibility honed at the International Sommelier Guild, Allie is taking the journey of Niagara by the glass with you with each new taste. Allie is also the creative mind behind the marketing of the Canadian Food and Wine Institute, and owner of Hughes & Co., a boutique social strategy firm.

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