Wine of the Week: Flat Rock Pinot Noir 2020

I randomly picked up the Flat Rock Pinot Noir 2020 on a weekend trip to the LCBO. I was looking for a Pinot Noir for my dinner that night and was immediately attracted to this bottle! The Flat Rock Pinot Noir comes from Flat Rock Cellars located on the Twenty Mile Bench in the Niagara Ontario region. The beautiful new labels are inspired by Flat Rock’s 80 acres of unique terroir. The designs are rock formations of limestone samples from their vineyards! The wine itself also speaks to the uniqueness of the Flat Rock soil. The Flat Rock Pinot Noir 2020 is a beautifully structured, complex and elegant red wine. It’s medium-bodied and on the bold side for a Pinot Noir with flavours of red berries and herbs. I paired this wine with a mushroom lasagna and it was perfection! It will also pair really nicely with rack of lamb, grilled salmon and roasted chicken. Perfect for all the upcoming spring holiday meals! You can find the Flat Rock Pinot Noir 2020 at the LCBO for $22.95, or through the winery’s online shop.

Cheers!

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Wine of the Week: Konzelmann Sparkling Rosé 

While the fall season is my favourite, I’m not giving up on summer just yet! I think that summer 2021 deserves one last celebration. And there is no better way to celebrate than with a bottle of pink bubbly! I tried the Konzelmann Sparkling Rosé last month and it is the perfect wine to cheers farewell to summer. It’s bursting with big bubbles filled with juicy flavours of cherry, raspberry and strawberry. This wine is made using the charmed method from 100% VQA Ontario grapes from the beautiful lakefront Konzelmann vineyards. The Konzelmann Sparkling Rosé is the prettiest pink salmon colour and, trust me, is super easy drinking! Enjoy outside in the sun with friends alongside your favourite summer appetizers. You can find the Konzelmann Sparkling Rosé through the Konzelmann online store on sale right now for only $17.95. If you happen to order a few bottles, this wine can also be enjoyed well into autumn. But for now, lets pop a bottle of the Konzelmann Sparkling Rosé and toast to the summer season!

Konzelmann Sparkling Rose Wine VQA Ontario Niagara Review

Cheers!~GDW

Guide to a Romantic Summer Weekend in Prince Edward County

Prince Edward County is such a magical place. It’s the perfect destination for a couples getaway. You get the peace and quiet of the country combined with all the culture and activities the County has to offer. No matter what you do it will be a great weekend with your significant other. But there are some particular places that will add that touch of romance to your trip. Find these special spots in my guide to a romantic summer weekend in Prince Edward County.

Friday

Start your romantic weekend sipping wine in the vineyard at Broken Stone Winery for their Cinq à Sept. From 5-7pm every Friday evening, Broken Stone’s Cinq à Sept offers a featured wine (or wine of your choice) by the glass with a local hors d’oeuvres pairing and live music. You can reserve your spot ahead here.

After a very enjoyable happy hour, it’s time for a beautiful sunset dinner. Head up to The Miller House restaurant at Lake on the Mountain Resort. The Miller House has one of the County’s most picturesque views. And it’s especially gorgeous at sunset! They don’t take reservations, but it is worth the wait. Once seated, order some tapas, sip a glass of local wine (or beer from their brewery!) and soak in that gorgeous view. Your getaway is off the a great start!

Saturday

Saturday morning you’re off to Bloomfield for a lovely traditional breakfast at The Saylor House Cafe. The Saylor House Cafe has the cutest patio where you can cozy up at a small table and enjoy your breakfast together under the trees with the pretty morning sounds of the birds. The cafe uses all local ingredients and makes the most delicious scratch-made baked goods! After breakfast take a stroll through the shops on Bloomfield, and maybe pick up something to remember your trip. There are a few antique shops close by.

Your daytime activities are going to start with a honey wine tasting on the mead terrace at Millefleurs. Millefleurs is a lavender farm and meadery just outside of Wellington on the shores of Lake Ontario. You can stroll through their lavender fields and then enjoy a honey wine tasting on the beautiful mead terrace. Celtic tradition has it that mead brings success, happiness and fertility to a marriage!

For lunch, enjoy THE BEST pizza in the County at TerraCello Winery. Tony, owner and head winemaker, makes his wood oven Neapolitan style pizzas using all fine imported Italian ingredients. Enjoy your pizza with a glass of TerraCella’s handcrafted natural wine on the outdoor patio nestled between the vines. The food, the wine and the atmosphere will seriously make you feel like you’ve been transported to Italy!

End your day with a wine tasting and stroll through the sculpture garden at Huff Estates Winery. They’re currently offering a flight of three wines for tasting on their patio overlooking the vineyards. I love the Huff Merlot, and of course their Rosés. After your tasting, visit the Huff Estates Oeno Gallery Sculpture Garden. Meander through the paths of the 4-acre garden and take in all of the impressive installations. The Oeno Sculpture Garden is one of those special County experiences.

Make a reservation ahead for dinner at East & Main Bistro in Wellington. Try to get a spot on the patio – it’s so cozy and intimate. Perfect for a romantic Saturday night dinner! East & Main serves fine dining and luxury comfort food favourites using local ingredients. The menu is seasonal and always changing, but the dishes are consistently delicious. They also have a very extensive wine list with lots of local PEC options.

If you’re up for it, and I highly encourage it, spend your evening at the drive-in theatre. The Mustang Drive-In is so much fun! Cozy up in your car and enjoy a double feature under the County stars. And the snack bar is open for all your favourite classic movie snacks. The Mustang is only open until September 5, so get there while you can!

Sunday

The last day of your romantic weekend is going to be a memorable one! First, pick-up a picnic lunch for two from the Agrarian Market in Picton. You can reserve ahead by emailing or calling. Then head up to Waupoos for brunch at the new Stella’s Eatery location. The menu is seasonal and filled with locally sourced and foraged ingredients. You may want to pick up a bottle of wine for your next adventure. After brunch, you’re off for a romantic sailing cruise with County Sailing Adventures! The private cruise departs from Waupoos Marina and sails the crystal clear waters of South Bay. You can anchor at Love’s Cove for swim and to enjoy your picnic lunch. Book ahead – there is still some availability for this summer. It’s the perfect experience to end your romantic summer weekend in Prince Edward County!

Cheers!~GDW

Wine of the Week: Foreign Affair Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2020

The Foreign Affair Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2020 is the perfect summer food wine. It pairs so well with a wide variety of foods from your lighter summer fare to your big barbeque dinners. Forget red wine with your steak this summer, it’s all about the big bold Rosé! The Foreign Affair Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé is a full-bodied dry wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes with a small amount (12%) of Appassimento Sauvignon Blanc grapes blended in. The result is a big juicy Rosé with bright flavours of strawberries, raspberries, cranberries and cherries. Enjoy the Foreign Affair Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé with your favourite barbequed meats like steak, brisket and burgers. It will also pair well with lighter foods like seafood, salads and cheese and charcuterie. The Foreign Affair Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé is exclusively available online through the winery for $21.95. If you’re interested in this delicious Rosé make sure to purchase your bottles now, because there are only 154 cases available of this small lot wine!

The Foreign Affair Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Rose Wine Ontario VQA

Cheers!~GDW

Wine of the Week: Malivoire Bisous Rosé

It’s officially summer time! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a bottle of local pink bubbles. I recently tried the Malivoire Bisous Rosé and it is so perfect for the summer season! Located on the Beamsville Bench in the Niagara Ontario Peninsula, Malivoire Vineyards is known for it’s sustainable and eco-centric approach to wine growing…as well as delicious Rosé wines. The Malivoire Bisous Rosé is a sparkling wine made in the traditional method from handpicked, estate-grown Pinot Noir grapes. It has big bright flavours of raspberry, strawberry and green apples. I enjoyed the Malivoire Bisous Rosé as an aperitif with sea salt chips and it was the perfect pairing! But it would also be really nice with fish tacos, chicken and veg skewers or creamy asparagus risotto. A very versatile wine for all your summer celebrations! You can purchase the Malivoire Bisous Rosé for $29.95 though the winery’s online shop. If you’d like to add on some additional Malivoire wines, I suggest the Vivant Rosé, Rosé Moira and Lady Bug. All the most perfectly pink wines for the summer season!

Malivoire Bisous Sparkling Rose Wine Ontario VQA

Cheers!~GDW

Wine of the Week: Alvento 2019 South Wind Rosé

I abruptly stopped in my tracks at the LCBO when I first laid eyes on this beautiful wine bottle. How gorgeous is this fantasy goddess label?! The Alvento 2019 South Wind Rosé is one of four wines part of the Ontario winery’s WIND series. Each wine in the WIND series features a Wind Goddess to represent the cardinal directions and natural expressions of the wines. The South Wind Rosé is a medium-bodied dry wine with lots of juicy flavours. This Rosé is bursting with ripe flavours of strawberry, raspberry and cherry. Enjoy the South Wind Rosé chilled with summer salads, barbeque chicken or pork tenderloin. You can find the Alvento 2019 South Wind Rosé at the LCBO for $19.95. Or visit the Alvento Winery online shop to purchase all four of the WIND series wines. I will be running with the wind to get more of the delicious South Wind Rosé!

Alvento Winery Ontario South Wind Rose Wine Review VQA

Cheers!~GDW

Wine of the Week: Redtail 2018 Sparkling Riesling

I don’t know what took me so long to try this popular sparkling wine, but I’m so glad I finally did! The Redtail 1028 Sparkling Riesling is a beautiful example of Ontario bubbly. Made in the Charmat method, the Redtail Sparkling Riesling has lots of depth, complexity and a lovely lingering mousse. You’ll find bright flavours of yellow apple and lemon meringue pie with a clean finish. I paired this wine with baked mac and cheese, but it can certainly be enjoyed on it’s own as an aperitif or with a weekend brunch. The Redtail Sparkling Riesling is on sale right now for $17.00 through the winery’s online shop. And trust me, after one sip of the Redtail Sparkling Riesling, you are going to want to stock up!

Redtail Vineyards 2018 Sparkling Riesling Wine Ontario Review

Cheers!~GDW

Wine of the Week: Pixie Petite Rosé Spritzer

The new Rosehall Run Pixie Petite Rosé Spritzer is the best wine from I can I’ve tasted. I’m obsessed! This isn’t too surprising since the Pixie Petite Rosé Spritzer is made from Rosehall Run’s popular pink bubbly, Pixie, a Vidal and Pinot Noir blend. Pop open a can of the Pixie Petite and you’ll taste a wine bursting with flavours of strawberry, peach and citrus with a pretty petite fizziness. Because the Pixie Petite is a spritzer there are some lovely added bonuses – only 150 calories, 7 grams of sugar and 5.5% alcohol. Absolutely perfect for beach days, outdoor adventures or hanging out in the backyard. And trust me when I tell you that the Pixie Petite should be paired with your favourite snack foods. I’ve been loving it alongside a big bowl of sea salt chips! You can find the Rosehall Run Pixie Petite Rosé Spritzer at the winery online shop and the LCBO for $3.95. An excellent price point for a premium wine spritzer locally grown and crafted in Prince Edward County, Ontario!

Cheers!~GDW

5 Ontario Wines Perfect for Easter Weekend

We’re all likely having smaller Easter celebrations this year, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be festive! I’m going to be enjoying fish on Friday, rack of lamb on Saturday and ham for Sunday brunch. And, of course, all will be paired with delicious Ontario VQA wines! I’ve discovered some great “Easter” themed Ontario wines, with fun bunnies and blooms on the bottles. These 5 Ontario wines are absolutely perfect for Easter weekend!

The Hare Wine Company Jack Rabbit Red

The Hare Wine Co Jack Rabbit Red Wine Ontario VQA

Waupoos White Rabbit VQA

Waupoos Winery White Rabbit Wine VQA Ontario

Foreign Affair Sparkling Rosé 2019

Foreign Affair Winery Sparkling Rose Wine Ontario VQA

Pelee Island LOLA Pinot Grigio

Pelee Island Winery Lola Pinot Grigio white wine ontario vqa

The Grange Gamay Pinot ‘Bunny Wine’

Grange of Prince Edward Gamay Pinot Bunny Wine red ontario

Cheers!~GDW

Wine of the Week: Redtail 2020 Gamay Rosé

I am so excited for the Redtail 2020 Gamay Rosé! The 2019 Rosé was my favourite pink drink last year. As was it many others, because it sold out in record speed! The Redtail 2020 Gamay Rosé is just as delicious as last years vintage. This Ontario Rosé has big juicy flavours of strawberry, watermelon and maraschino cherry. Pair the Redtail 2020 Gamay Rosé with chicken tacos, shrimp vermicelli and spicy curry dishes. Or, as the winery suggests, enjoy this wine chilled at your favourite beach! Order the Gamay Rosé through the Redtail online wine shop for $17. And order now before it sells out again!

Redtail Vineyards 2020 Gamay Rosé Ontario VQA Wine Review

Cheers!~GDW