Taste the Season (Day 1)

As I've previously posted here, I planed a weekend at Niagara-on-the-Lake for Taste the Season back in November. It's a $50 food and wine pairing pass to 26 wineries. Wanted to share with you my experience before I head to another weekend adventure for the Days of Wine & Chocolate in February.

Since it was a 2 day weekend pass, we decided to stay overnight since there's no way we could go to all 26 wineries in one day. We book a cheap $50 room at Super 8 to make it affordable since we won't spend much time in the room and our only requirements was a clean one =P

1st stop : Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery

2009 Black Series Merlot w/ Merlot Braised Shortrib with Fall Vegetables

What a great start to a windy day; flavorful, warm and comforting.... and it's my first time actually liking a Jackson-Triggs wine =P

2nd stop : Stratus Vineyards

2007 Tollgate Red w/ Farm-to-Table Pulled Lamb with yuzu hoisin

The toast was dry, cold and stale (>_<) and the pulled lamb was rather dry.

The station was hidden at the back with very small serving size of both wine and food.  I thought Stratus wine are on the expensive side compare to other wineries in the area.

3rd stop : Joseph's Estate Wines

2008 Portraits of Honour Red w/ French Macaroon Filled with Red Pepper Jelly & Brie

Love the sweet Macaroon with the brie ♥ and

4th stop : Pillitteri Estates Winery

2007 Cabernet Franc w/ Vegetable Chili

Although I wasn't a big fan of the wine, I love the chili which was super delish

5th stop : Peller Estates Winery

Andrew Peller Signature Series Ice Cuvee Rose W/ Smoked Salmon Bisque

I was a bit disappointed since the bisque was so watery and bland... especially when they have an award winning restaurant.

 6th stop : Lailey Vineyard

2009 Cabernet Merlot w/ Coq au Vin

 Love the intimate setting for the tasting among the wine barrels but it was sort of self serve without any plates or bowl whatsoever... 

w/ the napkin the sauce was dripping and end of with sticky hand... and it was a dry piece of chicken at that (over heated) but the wine at $15 a bottle was quite good

7th stop : Sunnybrook Farm Estate Winery

2010 Cherry Wine w/ Chocolate Cherry Cookie

The cookie was made with the cheery wine as well and it was incredibly moist and delicious which I wish I could have a few more... 

but as per my previous post here, I'm still not a big fan of the fruit wine (non-grape)

8th stop : Strewn Winery

2008 Riesling w/ Winter Green Salad with Icewine Vinaigrette

9th stop : Konzelmann Estate Winery

2010 Method Cuvee Close Rose w/ Cranberry, Pear, Gorgonzola & Walnut Strudel Roll

10th stop : Palatine Hill Estate Winery

2007 Merlot w/ Original Buffalo-style Chicken with Creamy Dip & Garden Celery

This is one of the worst looking winery you'll find around the area, just look at how dark it was and there wasn't even display shelves etc but only a few barrels scatter around as table (>_<)

11th stop : Stonechurch Vineyards

2009 Riesling Reserve w/ Smoked Salmon Mousse

Love the mousse and it just pair perfectly with the crisp acidity of the Riesling

They also had an end of season Christmas sale and we bought a combination of 6 bottles for less than $45 which we bought all white (perfect for my Sangria stock)

After 11 Wineries, it`s end of Day 1

to be con`t