Niagara, Ontario wine-tasting

Oh, what a gorgeous (pseudo) summer day for wine tasting. It was actually the Niagara Wine Festival on Saturday, Sep 27 so we checked that out first. After we lined up and gained entrance into the gated gathering, I found it to be overcrowded and overpriced. A two-ounce wine sample was almost $4! There were also screaming children and country music… not really my scene.

So my boyfriend and I decided to “vineyard-hop” (a more sophisticated version of your beloved “bar-hop”). We checked out Hernder, Megalomaniac and Tawse.

After driving along a quiet country road, you’ll initially notice Hernder’s beautiful restored Victorian Barn (est. 1867). Then you’ll cross over a glistening pond on a worn wooden bridge, surrounded by deep red maple trees and booming rows of grapes. Sounds picturesque right? A few other couples thought so, too. There were four weddings of over 150 people going on all in the same afternoon!

We were greeted immediately upon entrance and made to feel welcome. The attendant explained the menu to us – red vs. white. You got 4 samples for free per person (woohoo!) and thereafter, you’d pay $1 each (or $2.50 each for ice wine). Here, there was no obligation to purchase after tasting them, although you’d be nuts not to.

They’re all rated 0-2 on the sweetness scale; 0 being the most dry and 2 being the sweetest. I tried a robust merlot (0), dry riesling (0) and semi-sweet riesling (1). I don’t like my wine to be too sweet, but I also don’t like it to be too dry either, whether it’s red or white. I like it juuust right. I sound like Goldie Locks, don’t I?

I went with the semi-sweet riesling -- it tasted like green apples with just enough acidity.

It’s important to note that before tasting, we should observe the sight and smell of our wine by swishing and sniffing (see other blog post, “The 'swish' n' 'sniff': Things to remember when wine tasting” for more on this).

Next up was Megalomaniac. Atop a hill overlooking the vast green Niagara farmland, and recently renovated building, this place looks impressive even before you step foot inside. Once you do, you’re greeted with granite countertops, chandeliers and high ceilings. You pay $5 for a series of 4 samples. One of my favourites was the 2013 Pink Slip Pinot Noir Rosé. I don’t normally like rosé but this one didn’t taste as sweet as you’d expect. 

The name Megalomaniac came about because the owner originally wanted to name it after himself – John Howard—but his friends called him “another megalomaniac” for doing so. Apparently the name stuck! Each wine is named with a cheeky word that corresponds to it. I purchased one of their top-sellers, "Pompous". 

Before our final spot, along the country road, we noticed a sign that read “free kittens”! Naturally I pouted until my boyfriend gave in and parked to let me play.

Then at Tawse, it was a similar atmosphere and the wines were pricey. $5 for four samples again but if you bought two bottles, the fee is waived. Bought a dry pinot gris to spice things up.

The last two were quite posh. Next time, I think I’ll try a few smaller, boutique-y places. A lot are open well into the fall and winter, so get out and enjoy beautiful Ontario!