As the day unfolded at Konzelmann Estate Winery during the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival’s Weekend Discovery Pass, Donna Taylor, a senior wine consultant, welcomed visitors.
Pass holders were able to try up to six seasonal wine and food pairings at various participating wineries.
Taylor said she is effortlessly enthusiastic with each tasting because of how much she loves teaching guests that pairing wine with food is truly an art.
Their featured pairing, “Corn to be Wild,” showcased hickory smoked corn ribs, served with a spicy chipotle crema. The dish was paired with their Vidal Golden Vintage.
Taylor instructed guests to eat the food and drink the wine simultaneously, promising “magic” would happen as the aromas and flavours came together and complemented one another.
She said her goal is to provide interactive experiences that deepen visitors’ appreciation for local wines and ingredients.
“We do everything here on premise, and I like to teach people how to do an actual pairing,” she said.
“I put a different twist on it,” said Taylor.
At Palatine Hills Estate Winery, general manager Ryan Callaghan introduced their 2023 Lakeshore Rosé, a blend of 95 per cent Riesling and five per cent other varietals, paired with a handmade beef (or veggie) empanada from Fiesta Empanadas.
“Our Lakeshore Rosé is always super, super popular in the summertime, going into the fall time as well. It’s something that we wanted to showcase,” said Callaghan.
“We also always like to do something a little more unusual with our food pairing.”
He said the Riesling vines at the front of the vineyard provide a perfect visual connection to the wine’s origins.
At Inniskillin, manager Sumie Yamakawa, said their dedication to food and wine pairings is what keeps visitors returning.
Inniskillin’s pairing showcased their 2022 Reserve Cabernet Franc, which Yamakawa said is a favourite among both winemakers and customers. It was complemented by a gourmet toasted French baguette filled with smoked brisket, sweet caramelized onions and rich marble cheddar cheese.
Yamakawa said chef Daniel McAllister crafted the dish specifically to highlight the wine’s unique qualities.
This was the winery’s first time doing a sandwich pairing, said Darlene Morris, a longtime volunteer at Inniskillin.
The tasting experience ran from Sept. 6 to Sept. 22 — however, the fun in wine country isn’t over yet this year.
Starting Oct. 1, passports will go on sale for Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Taste the Season event, in which local wineries will host holiday-themed tasting events with festive food and wine pairings.
Set to run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in November — including Sunday, Dec. 1 — Taste the Season’s passes start at $65.98 plus tax and include eight winery experiences.
Visit wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/experiences for more information.
