Niagara-on-the-Lake Gift Ideas

It can be difficult to find a present for someone who already has everything they could ever want, and it gets even more challenging when you have an appreciation or interest in fine wines. For this reason, many people choose a wine gift basket as a perfect solution to the problem of finding a suitable present for this kind of person. A wine gift basket, if chosen well, is something that will provide delight and pleasure. But just buying pre-assembled wine gift baskets from local retailers may not be as personalized as you’d hope.

That’s where our ideas can come into play. If you have a wine lover or adventurer in your family or group of friends, why not send them on their way to Niagara-on-the-Lake as a gift? Here are some ideas on what to get them.

Send Your Family & Friends To Niagara-on-the-Lake To Enjoy These Special Gifts

1. Niagara Falls Sightseeing

Obviously if you’re from the area, you know how many sights there are to see and enjoy in Niagara Falls, just a 25-minute drive from Niagara-on-the-Lake. While the recipient may have seen the falls many times before, there are plenty of other package experiences you can purchase for them. If you want to surprise them with more of an outdoor adventure gift, why not gift them a fun package that involves activities such as boat tours that go near the falls or the whirlpool? If you really want to get their adrenaline rushing, there are also ziplining activities that will take them along the Niagara River to the falls’ observation landing.

After they spend their time on a boat or ziplining, they’ll surely be hungry. Treat them to a delicious, fine dining experience in town. Some of the town’s favourite places to eat include Prime Steakhouse Niagara Falls, Massimo’s Italian Fallsview Restaurant, Casa Mia Ristorante, and Weinkeller, just to name a few.

2. For The History Buffs

One of the best reasons to visit Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake is learning all about the fascinating history. This can be done by paying for your family or friends who are history buffs to go to places like Fort George, Brock’s Monument, Laura Secord Homestead, Niagara Falls History Museum, Old Fort Erie, and the Niagara Military Museum. Each location has its own shop where they can purchase souvenirs or unique gifts for others.

3. Wine Tasting Packages

The Niagara Region is known for its abundance of world-class vineyards and breweries that offer visitors the chance to sip and taste their own crafts while enjoying food and shopping around the gift shops for unique flavours of beer, wine, cider or Icewine to add to their personal collections.

There are plenty of wine tasting packages to gift your family and friends, but why not surprise them with a more personalized tasting experience? This is especially nice during occasions like birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or nearing an anniversary or Christmas. This is why our vineyard, The Hare Wine Co., wants to celebrate your occasion with you. Our vineyard is located in Niagara-on-the-Lake and features stunning views of our estate. We have a beautiful outdoor patio, but also have a private wine tasting room that couples, small groups or larger groups can enjoy themselves without being bothered by large groups coming in by the busloads. Each wine tasting is led by an experienced, professional and friendly staff member who is passionate about wine and ensuring you have a great stay. We craft and carry red, white, rosé, sparkling and Icewine varieties.

Give Them A Gift They’ll Remember Forever

Niagara-on-the-Lake is full of amazing activities that make for a great gift for someone. Because it’s such a popular tourist destination, it makes purchasing tour packages easy whether the recipient is into outdoor activities, learning about history, or taste-testing wine. Whatever the occasion is they’re celebrating, they’ll love driving to Niagara-on-the-Lake for a weekend getaway or just a day trip to enjoy the gift you’ve given them.

How To Drink Icewine

For a lot of crops, an early frost can be the kiss of death. But for winemakers, they realized that leaving grapes on the vines well into the late fall resulted in the grapes producing a more concentrated sweetness as the grapes began to resemble raisins. The sugary dessert wine first came about in Germany and Austria (dubbed eiswein) and has since gained popularity.

How To Produce Icewine

That being said, the process of making true icewine is a bit more complicated and not just left to chance. For the optimal taste, and to avoid ruining the grapes with an overly harsh frost, the frozen grapes must be harvested at the exact time they are cold enough to crystallize the water, concentrating the juice, and this must happen naturally according to the temperature outside.

As it is such a particular process to create, icewine sometimes cannot be made every year if the weather conditions permit otherwise. And of course, global warming has affected the weather immensely, making it a hit or miss.

Thankfully in Canada, where the rules of what is considered a true icewine are even stricter (higher minimum sugar levels in grapes), the weather is on our side and wineries are able to produce icewine almost every year. To celebrate the popularity of the sweet wine, the Niagara Region hosts the Niagara Icewine Festival every year where samples from many different wineries can be tried.

 

Serving Icewine

The somewhat fussy nature of creating icewine is worth it though, and you’ll find that the more expensive, smaller bottle full of rich sweetness will go a long way as it is meant to be served in smaller glasses and sipped.

Icewine is traditionally served in a small chilled glass, either a champagne flute or a white wine glass on the smaller side, as you would use for Sauvignon Blanc. That being said, it’s ideal to serve icewine in a glass big enough to still allow you to swirl it around.

Half a bottle should provide about two ounces per person if you have six to eight people over for dinner and you plan on drinking ice wine with dessert. Drinking too much at a time would both be overwhelming and very costly for the host!

Serve chilled icewine after it has been in the fridge for a couple of hours. It should be cool, definitely no less than four degrees, not cold when you serve the icewine like with other dessert wines.

Storing Icewine

Ideally, the wine should be stored on its side and on a slant to keep the cork moist and at a temperature no higher than around ten degrees.

As if you needed any reason to serve ice wine on any occasion, here’s one more: it is recommended to not try and age icewine. Usually, the icewine you buy is either from last year’s harvest or sometimes the one before, either because so little is produced or just because there are no benefits from letting it sit. Wine producers usually recommend not to leave it for more than four years, but it’s up to your own personal taste.

When Should You Drink Icewine?

The jury is still out on whether this should truly be considered a dessert wine. Some people believe it should be served when dinner is done, when guests are already full and not likely to want to drink too much! On the other hand, some say it shouldn’t be served then as people won’t enjoy it. Whenever you choose to drink your icewines, know that the sweet wine is a special treat and a lot of work has been put into it.

What Food To Pair With Icewine

One rule when you serve a dessert wine is to never pair it with a food that is sweeter than the wine itself, as in comparison it will end up tasting bitter. Ideally, it should be served with very dark chocolate, fruity tarts, nice aged gruyere, or other hard cheeses.

If you are one of the people who don’t think icewine should be limited to after the meal, know that it can pair very well with spicy dishes like Indian or Thai curries, and even takes a bit of sting away from Buffalo wings!

In France, icewine is sometimes served closer to the beginning of the meal as it compliments foie gras and cheeses very nicely. It can also accompany the main course of seafood, such as scallops and lobster, duck a l’orange, sashimi, and more, if you’re willing to step outside the box and give it a try.

Sparkling Icewine

What is the difference between icewine and sparkling icewine? Well, in short, it’s fizzy! Before the fermentation process is completed, after the alcohol level reaches 9%, the vat is closed and CO2 cannot escape and, therefore, stays in the wine, making it carbonated, fizzy, and sparkling!

As with sparkling water, the fizziness makes your tongue less able to detect the sweetness, therefore, it can complement more foods such as nuts and a variety of cheese and fruit desserts.

Icewine Cocktails

If you’re looking for another way to enjoy the sweet wine, know that it is the perfect addition to great cocktails!

Whip up a Canadian Manhattan easily with only a few ingredients: 1⁄2 oz of Riesling or Vidal Icewine, 1 oz bourbon, 1⁄2 oz maple syrup, and a maraschino cherry on top.

Or, even simpler, keep things cool with a Berry Frosty Cocktail. You only need 1 1/2 oz of Vidal Icewine, 3 ozs of peach juice, 1 oz rosé sparkling wine and five strawberries.

However you choose to enjoy your icewine, it’s fascinating to know how much work went into making it and what a treat it really is. It’s true that the best things really do come in the smallest packages.

Things To Do Around Toronto

Although Toronto isn’t especially old compared to some other cities in Canada, unless you count York which is located within it, it makes up for it with its huge variety of diverse attractions that will interest any tourist. Whether you’re a shopper, an art enthusiast, an explorer, sports fanatic, or wine connoisseur, Toronto will not disappoint.

A List Of Fun Things To Do In & Around Toronto

Art

Toronto is home to more than one art gallery but is perhaps best known for the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). The AGO is 583, 000 square feet and has over 4, 000 works of art on display. Located in the Grange Park neighbourhood, it isn’t far from the infamous graffiti alley. The group of alleyways beginning at the corner of Rush and Portland is the canvas for many talented artists to legally create beautiful street art on brick and mortar. In addition, the Royal Ontario Museum (also known as The ROM) was established in 1912 and is best known for its ancient Egyptian and Chinese collections.

Music

If live music or comedy shows are more your scene, you should check out what is playing at one of the many easy-to-access venues such as Massey Hall, Meridian Hall, or The Danforth Music Hall. Additionally, the Budweiser Stage holds great outdoor concerts for the summer months and you can sit on the grassy hill and enjoy your favourite musicians.

Theatre

Toronto also has various spectacular venues such as The Royal Alexandra, The Princess of Wales and The Ed Mirvish Theatre where Broadway and other major shows can be seen. Come From Away is currently playing, but Kinky Boots, Wicked, The Lion King, and Rock of Ages have also made a stop over the years.

Shopping

If you are in Toronto and love to shop, you must check out Yonge Street and its over six-hundred retail stores. It also happens to be the longest street in the world! The Toronto Eaton Centre is an indoor mall that also happens to be located on this street. If you prefer smaller shops over retail chains, then definitely check out Kensington Market, Chinatown and St Lawrence Market for quirky stores, vintage and retro pieces, and antique markets. The South Market is where you can find upwards of fifty food vendors and the North Market hosts the Farmer’s Market every Sunday.

Sports

Although the Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t won the Stanley Cup in a long time, it’s still fun to take in a game at the Scotiabank Arena. Just maybe don’t mention their lack of winning to the die-hard fans as it’s a bit of a sore spot. The Hockey Hall of Fame is the ultimate destination for enthusiasts of the sport as it holds all sorts of records and trophies and exhibits different players regularly. Here you can learn all about the history of hockey in Canada and buy some merchandise as well. If you are visiting in the summer, watching the Toronto Blue Jays play a game at the Rogers Centre is always great fun! Close by is Ripley’s Aquarium and the CN Tower and Steamwhistle Brewery, so you can complete your fun-filled day.

Kid-Friendly Activities

If you’re bringing your kids along on the trip to Canada’s largest city, they’ll love visiting the amusement park known as Canada’s Wonderland. Apart from special events like Winterfest and Screamfest, it is not open year-round, so that’s something to keep in mind. The Toronto Zoo is always a hit as well and is the largest zoo in all of Canada, not to mention the theme park Centreville located on one of the Toronto islands which can be reached by taking a short ferry ride across Lake Ontario.

For the Foodies

With Toronto being a popular destination for immigrants to land, the food also happens to be very diverse. Whether you want to do some fine dining, visit a food market, or check out one of the many food festivals that occur throughout the year, you won’t be disappointed by the delicious food the city has to offer. Some particularly notable restaurants are the 416 Snack Bar, the Maple Leaf Tavern, and Richmond Station. For the amazing views of the CN Tower alone, we should mention The Porch, a rooftop patio right in the Entertainment District. It even has rooftop skating in the winter, such a truly Canadian activity.

Looking To Get Out Of Downtown Toronto? Make Your Way To Niagara Falls

Although you could probably spend months and never run out of fun things to do in and around Toronto, you’d be missing out if you didn’t take a day trip south to not of Canada’s top attractions: Niagara Falls. Apart from the waterfalls themselves, there’s plenty of amusements, a wax museum, casinos, and Ripley’s Believe it or Not. You can take a ride on the Maid of the Mist, a tourist boat company that takes guests under the falls on the Niagara River. Or, if you want to stay dry, you can check out the city from the sky on a helicopter ride or view it from the giant Ferris wheel.

Wine Country

But perhaps one of Ontario’s best-kept secrets is wine country. Because of where the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is situated amongst the great lakes, it has a unique climate that is perfect for growing grapes. Over fifty wineries are located in the Niagara Region, making it the perfect place for full-day outings hopping from one winery to another! There are many wine tours running to make this possible and there are rental bikes if you’d rather pedal around at your leisure.

With so many to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start. Some of the most notable ones are Peller Estates, Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery and Distillery (yes, it’s owned by the great one!), Stratus and The Hare Wine Co. The latter is known for their Winter Wonderland Icewine Experience, but private tastings are available all year. Because of their uniquely flat topography, maximum sun exposure results in full-bodied wines. You’re bound to end up taking a few bottles home.

Full of History

Not only is the town itself absolutely beautiful and resembles a postcard, but it is also where you will find the Fort George National Historic Site, Butler’s Barracks and the Laura Secord Homestead. History buffs will be in their element learning about their involvement in the war of 1812 and watching reenactments. Picnic areas are abundant if you want to grab some prepared foods at one of the many cafés and relax.

Making Day Trips Around Toronto Has Never Been Easier

If you haven’t already stopped reading this to book your trip to Toronto, what’s stopping you from doing so now?

Rosé Wine Pairings: What to Eat With Rosé Wine

When you ask someone about wine pairings, a common answer is “wine and cheese”. The sweet with the salty. The sharp with the fatty. It’s a centuries-old pairing that is extremely popular.

However, there is much more to pairing wines with food than just cheese. When it comes to a nice glass of rose wine, there are several great food pairings that can unlock tastes and experiences that your mouth will be thanking you for.

Wine is so much more than just an alcoholic beverage made from grapes. There are undertones and hints of different flavours that create an experience as you sip on your glass. Winemaking is such an intricate process that creates such delicate flavours.

Rosé pairings favour savoury and salty foods with sweet wine. If you’re looking for some great pairings, you’ve come to the right place.

Rosé: What Is It?

Known for its pretty pink colouring and refreshing taste on a hot summer day, rosé wine is a fairly popular genre of wine. When served in a chilled glass, this drink will cool you down and transport you to a tropical resort.

Rosés are made from any blend of red grade and can be both sweet and dry, depending on the blend of grapes. Many winemakers recommend that rosé wines are served chilled to get the best taste.

Why Is It Pink?

It’s a common myth that says that rosé is made by combining red and white wines together to create a pink-coloured beverage. However, the real secret to the pretty colouring is a bit more intricate.

The wine gets its popular pink colouring from the grape skins used while making the wine. When the juice and the skin are left to macerate for a few hours, the drink turns the light pink colour. Then, the winemakers remove the skins and leave the juice to ferment.

Types of Rosé Wines

While many people know rosé to be quite sweet, you can also find rosés that are quite dry or bitter. Dry wine is known for being less sweet and will often have slightly different food pairing options.

Whether you like your sugary or a dry rosé there are bottles for everyone. There are a few popular types of rosé that can act as an introduction to this genre of wine.

Sweet Rosé Wines

  • White Zinfandel
  • White merlot
  • Pink Moscato

Dry Rosé Wines

  • Carignan
  • Cinsault
  • Pinot Noir
  • Grenache

Rosé Wine Pairings

Now that you know a bit more about rosé, how it’s made, and its flavour, we can take a better look at the different dishes and recipes that pair nicely with a bottle of rosé. Pairings help bring out the full flavour of both the wine and the food that it’s paired with.

You’ll want to consider the different flavour profiles of the food and the spices, sauces, or dressings that are used. Switching things up can change the food pairings and bring a whole new experience.

Because rosé is known for its sweeter taste, many of the pairings will be salty or savoury in order to combat the sweetness and acidity of the wine.

Some Starters

If you’re going out for some drinks and appetizers, there are some great starters that you can pair with your chilled wine beverage. Your light appetizers should be paired with lighter styles of rosé. Appetizers that use olives, anchovies, or other salty foods are your best bet.

A particularly great pairing is a creamy cheese like brie with rosé. A simple spread of cheeses, dips, and salty nuts is another great option to consider. You may also try a goat cheese salad with some olive oil dressing to go with your drink.

These pairs will be the perfect addition to your summer picnic.

The Main Course

Next up on the list is the main course. The main dish is the heart of the meal and is going to be where a lot of the flavour lies. Now maybe you’re hosting a dinner party or just want to find a nice food pairing with your takeout. Whatever the reason, there are some great main dishes that can pair perfectly with your rosé wines.

Seafood

When thinking about the type of meat that you want to serve with your glass of rosé, you should lean towards grilled seafood like salmon, shrimp, tuna, lobster, and other types of seafood. The flavour profile of a dish like grilled salmon is a great choice for your summer dinner and will provide a delightful taste experience.

Other Meats

If seafood isn’t your thing, you might also try some grilled sausage, grilled chicken, or some lamb. A grilled dish gives you a smoky flavour that will harmonize with the sweetness of the rosés. While full-bodied wines like red wine often mask the delicate taste of lamb, a light rosé will complement the meat nicely.

Vegetarian/Vegan Options

For vegans and vegetarians, you might try a vegan/vegetarian pizza when pairing your meal with rosé. Other summertime favourites include BBQ vegetables like peppers, corn, eggplant, zucchini, and onions. If you like spicy food, be sure to season the veggies with a range of pepper spices to add to the flavour experience.

Desserts

Everyone knows that the dessert is the best part of the meal. Want to make your dessert experience even better? Pair your glass with some dark chocolate, lemon bars, cheesecake, or some rich truffle. All of these rich, creamy flavours will pair nicely with a sweeter or sparkling rosé.

If you have a dry wine, you might consider some fruit tart or pudding to complement the drier wine.

All of these food pairings create the perfect recipe for a beautiful meal to enjoy in the summer.

The Hare Wine Co.

Want to find your next bottle of rosé? Check out our online shop and view our selection of rosés, red wine, and white wine, each with its specific flavour profile. You’ll be amazed at the different tastes and flavours you can experience in a bottle of wine.

Interested in food pairings for white or red wine? Check out our other pairings and recipes for any at-home cook!

White Wine Pairings: White Wine & Food Pairing Guide

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a romantic dinner with your significant other and toasting to your love or having your friends over and toasting to your friendship and accomplishments with a delicious, smooth white wine from your favourite local vineyard. But what makes the experience even better? A meal that pairs perfectly with your white wine. Whether you’re craving seafood, finger foods or grilled meats, there are various types of white wines that will take your night out or night in to the next level.

Do You Know The Differences Between Bodies Of Wine?

Knowing the difference between light body, medium body and full body is important when it comes to pairing food and wine for a couple of different reasons. Plus, it makes you appreciate the beautiful glass of wine in your hands even more. Understanding and appreciating the notes in each body is a hobby and an art, and most importantly, what makes it so darn delicious with certain food.

Light-Bodied Wine

Lighter-bodied wine is seen as more of a “delicate” drink. It’s also referred to as “light” because it contains the lowest amount of alcohol content (12.5% or less) which is why people find it easier to drink. When browsing for a light wine, search for sweet Riesling, Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.

Pairing options: seafood, chicken, salad, pasta, fried foods, more fatty dishes

Medium-Bodied Wine

Medium-bodied wines typically have an alcohol content of 12.5% to 13.5%. They give you a bit more fullness and make a great pairing for many dishes. Examples of this include dry Riesling, Chenin Blanc, unoaked Chardonnay, or Pinot Gris.

Pairing options: scallops, lobster, oysters, cheese, salad

Full-Bodied Wine

Full-bodied white wine has the highest alcohol content (13.5% or higher). They typically come from warmer climate areas like California, Spain, France or Italy and soak in oak barrels to give them that “heavier” taste. Look for bottles labelled oaked Chardonnay, Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pairing options: meaty dishes, roasted chicken, pasta, breads

How Sparkling Wine Differs

Sparkling wines taste the same but have been fermented with a mixture of yeast and sugar which makes them bubbly and fizzy. Many people think that sparkling wine is champagne, but that’s not true. In order to determine classification, you have to look at where the wine was actually produced.

Did you know that Champagne only refers to the region it came from? Authentic Champagne is from a region in France; a mild climate where Champagne grapes thrive.

What Is Mulled White Wine?

Mulled white wine is a German delicacy. It’s spicy, smells absolutely delicious, and is a great drink to serve your friends and family during holiday dinners, specifically Thanksgiving or Christmas. The recipe is simple yet delicious and typically features:

  • Dry wines rather than rich or sweet wines (can be white or red wine)
  • Orange juice and orange slices
  • Sugar or honey
  • Lemon slices
  • White cloves
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Cardamom
  • Ginger
  • Nutmeg
  • Allspice

Wine and Food Pairings

Matching food to the perfect wine pairing can be easier when you know the differences between each body of white wine. Now that you understand the differences, we can get into the best food and wine pairing menus that blow your taste buds away. Just remember that these are examples of contrasting pairings and nothing is set in stone. Everyone has their own preferences and that’s exactly what makes testing different white wines out so fun!

Roasted or Grilled Chicken with Chardonnay

Roasting or grilling chicken is a great way to incorporate different spices that pair exquisitely with oaked Chardonnay. Especially lemon, basil, oregano, garlic and parsley. Food with higher acidity that makes your mouth salivate can make sipping on a high alcohol wine that much more satisfying!

Don’t feel like chicken? Opt for a soup with similar spices, like a white bean-based recipe.

Spicy Foods with Riesling

Because Riesling is a little more rich than dry, it makes a great pair for spicy food to take away some of the heat. Plus, spicy dishes such as Indian food, for example, are known for having heavier creams in the sauces, so having a lighter wine may not make you feel as heavy/full afterwards.

Red Meats with Pinot Grigio

Many people automatically assume they should pair their steak with a glass of red wine, but white wines pair just as well! The natural acidity of the wine will accentuate the rich flavours of the red meat even further. Game meats will work perfectly as well such as venison or bison.

Charcuterie Board with Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon blanc is another light, sweet white wine that can pair with practically any type of cheese, which is great if you’re just nibbling on a charcuterie board. Whether it’s aged cheddar, gouda, blue cheese or goat cheese, the pairing won’t disappoint you. Some of the spices in the meats will also counteract the sweetness and acidity of the wine perfectly.

Pairing Wine and Food Is Totally Up To You

While this is just a guide to go off of, it gives you a good idea of what flavours pair better with each other, however, everyone’s palate is different and what you choose to pair together is never wrong. If you’re still stuck searching for that perfect bottle of white wine, shop with The Hare Wine Co. today. We craft every bottle with you in mind.

Red Wine Pairings: What To Eat With Red Wine

For every bottle of red wine, there is a perfect food pairing. While there’s no strict rule as to what you should eat with your favourite red wine, especially because everyone has different palettes and preferences, there are certain reasons why wine connoisseurs make specific food and wine pairing suggestions.

If you’re new to the world of developing your wine palette, that’s okay! Half the fun is understanding what notes to look for, learning what the different bodies of wine are, and what flavours best match its notes.

The Meanings Behind The Different Bodies of Red Wine

Have you ever been sent to the liquor store with instructions to “buy red wine” but you aren’t sure what kind to get? Surely there has to be certain meanings behind each kind.
We’re here to tell you that yes, each kind is completely different. Below, we’ll go over the differences (in alphabetical order) between the types of red wines so you’ll never have to feel confused about which kind to buy again.

Baco Noir (Full-Bodied)

These types of grapes do well in a cooler climate, therefore, they thrive in Ontario (though they originated in France). They’re known for being very flavourful with earthy and spicy notes which is why they’re used to create drier red wines.

Cabernet Sauvignon (Full-Bodied)

These types of grapes thrive in both humid and cooler environments. They’re the most common type of grape that mainly come from places like Napa Valley, Australia, and the Niagara Region. They’re a little more fruity, acidic, and a deeper colour of red.

Cabernet Franc (Medium-Bodied)

If you’re looking for a unique combination, you’ll love this type of red wine that’s popularly found in Niagara. It’s often mixed with Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and then aged in oak barrels. The oak barrels bring out the unique flavours even more and provide a more “dry” structure to the wine.

Merlot (Full-Bodied)

This is another very popular type of grape because of its ease to mix with others and to try drinking for beginners. It’s often soft, smooth, sweet, and makes a great math for any dish or dessert.

Malbec (Full-Bodied)

Malbec grapes are most famously known for growing in Argentina even though they originated in France. Because of these grapes being darker and thicker skinned, their sweetness and fruity flavours create a less-dry red wine.

Pinot Noir (Light-Bodied)

Known as one of the lighter reds, Pinot Noir wine is fruity, smoothy, and much like Merlot, it can make the perfect match for any dish or dessert. But did you know that Pinot Noir grapes are the hardest to grow? Because of their thin skin, they’re more susceptible to being damaged by temperatures or by themselves since they grow tightly together.

Zinfandel (Full-Bodied)

Zinfandel is largely grown in the United States in more humid climates like Napa Valley and Lodi. It makes for a very fruity red wine but on the other hand, has subtle flavours of licorice and tobacco. It’s another wine that’s very easy to drink, making it the perfect pairing for most dishes.

Note: Full, medium and light-bodied refers to the alcohol content. The fuller the body of wine, the higher alcohol content it contains (more than 13.5%). The lighter the body of wine, the lower the alcohol content (less than 12.5%).

The Best Food & Red Wine Pairings

Nothing pairs together more perfectly than wine and food, especially after you’ve had a long day or you haven’t spent a night out (or in) with your friends in a long time. But how do you decide what to order with your glass of wine? Remember, the choice is completely up to you and your specific preferences, but here are the best wine and food pairings strictly based on the types of notes the red wine contains.

Hearty Dishes

Red meat, whether it be land, grilled steak, or burgers, make a great match for Cabernet Sauvignon. This type of full-bodied red wine has strong, deep and fruity flavours, so pairing it with equally strong meat flavours will make for a delicious dinner you won’t soon forget. The meat can also dial down the acidity and sweetness of the wine if that’s what you desire.

If you’re opting for a hearty stew such as beef bourguignon, for example, Merlot is a great wine pairing to bring out the soft flavours of both the dish and the wine. It also isn’t a heavy wine, meaning it’s easy to drink it with heavier, meatier dishes.

Fish Dishes

Most people think that fish only pairs well with white wine, but that’s not true. Most red wines actually make a great wine and food pairing, particularly if it’s a sweet red wine. For example, if you’re having salmon, Zinfandel or Merlot can both complement and tone down the fishy taste as they aren’t as dry. For white fish pairings or even pasta dishes with lobster or shrimp, choose a wine with higher acidity to balance with the tomatoes.

Vegetarian Dishes

The secret for vegetable and wine pairing? Earthy wines make the perfect pairing for earthy vegetables. For example, mushrooms, butternut squash, kale, turnips, carrots, onions, etc.

Extra tip: If you’re craving spicy, vegetarian stews, bold red wine can often intensify the spice even further, so you may prefer pairing it with a softer, sweeter red wine like Malbec or Pinot Noir.

Cheese

Red wine and cheese pairings are classic, delicious, and a simple party pleaser. Like with the other foods above, it’s best to pair heavy cheese with heavy wine, light cheese with light wine, and dry/aged cheese with dry wine.

Examples: Cabernet Franc and goat cheese, Pinot Noir with gruyere, and Cabernet Sauvignon with aged cheddar.

Looking For The Perfect Bottle Of Red Wine?

When it comes to pairing wine with food, our professionals here at The Hare Wine Co. can help you find the best bottle of wine for your needs. No matter what your taste buds are craving (sweet, bold, fruity or earthy) we carry a variety of 100% VQA Ontario wines that are handcrafted with you in mind. We make pairing wine and food easy. Stop by our vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake where you can taste test our wines in a beautiful and relaxing private room or on our patio that overlooks Niagara’s famous wine country.

Wine Tasting Notes: How To Develop Your Palate

The ultimate wine tasting tips for developing your taste buds.

Everyone enjoys a glass of wine from time to time. Whether it’s over a quiet dinner with your significant other or on a night out with friends, we all enjoy trying different wines because each one has its own distinct experience and taste. However, tasting wine is never as simple as merely drinking it. In order to truly appreciate fine wine, you need to train your palate to identify flavours and aromas.

So what is a palate? A palate is essentially a person’s appreciation for taste and flavour, especially when it’s in regards to a sophisticated food or drink. Your palate is composed of a series of taste buds, your tongue, the interior of your mouth and your nose, which is perhaps the most important sensor of all. In order to develop a good wine palate, you need to pay close attention to your senses. This can make a blind tasting of wine all that more fun.

There are many things you can do to improve your tasting skills. Here we’ll be discussing, in particular, tasting notes for wine. Get your notebook ready or save this for future reference because we’ll be going over everything you need to know about drinking wine like a pro!

Perfecting Your Wine Palate 101: 6 Steps On How To Taste Wine

Very few wines tend to appeal to everyone, which makes it essential for individuals to figure out which flavour they prefer. These 6 steps will help you whether you’re attending a local tasting group with friends or visiting your favourite local wine bar for dinner.

Step 1: Don’t Rush The Experience

Have you ever quickly eaten your favourite chocolate bar, only to realize you never got a chance to appreciate the true flavour? Like dessert, wines should always be consumed with patience and appreciation for taste. Slow savouring is how your senses take over, allowing you to improve your ability to taste wine. Whether it’s red wine, white wine, or rose, you should take the opportunity to determine the nuances of the drink and that will help you better understand what wine ranges you prefer. You’ll begin asking yourself, “Is this going to be a riper wine, a high alcohol wine or one with a sweet citrus quality?”. It’s important to recognize that your brain makes better analytical decisions when it can slow down and not rush through the process.

Step 2: Look & Smell Before You Taste

Although the look of wine is not as important as the smell, both senses play an important role in our perception of wine tastes. For example, your sight helps to determine the difference between white, rose and red wines and your nose is primarily responsible for picking up wine’s flavours. Without the other two senses, your mouth won’t be able to taste anything other than wine texture. Wine aromas fall into the air by swirling wine. To get your wine taste balanced, it is crucial to swirl the substance before doing anything else. When you look and smell wine prior to it touching your lips, it changes how the brain will process the flavour.

Step 3: Visualize & Isolate The Wine’s Primary Aromas

Did you know that your tongue can only differentiate between sweet, salty, sour and bitter? In order to get the full scope of wine’s flavours, one truly needs to start smelling wine. The scent helps us to become invigorated with both primary and secondary aromas, which you’ll soon begin to be able to single out. Many prefer a blind taste because it allows them to identify flavours of fortified wines using their imagination. By visualizing in the mind the types of wine grapes and fresh fruit added to the winemaking techniques, you’re able to isolate flavours such as grape sugar or tropical fruits. When you’ve trained your palate well, you’ll know the type of wine it is as soon as you smell it. For example, pinot noir has an aroma reminiscent of bacon while high acid wines, which include white wine such as pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc, makes wine aromas more floral and sweet.

Step 4: Identify Flavours & Move On

Higher alcohol wines like red wines tend to have a stronger aroma, and this is mostly due to the climate and grape type used to produce the substance. When tasting reds, try not to pay too much attention to the grape sugars retained. Whether it is aging wine or youthful wine, we often get so caught up in the fermentation process, but developing your wine palate requires so much more than that. Once you identify a flavour, ask yourself “what else do I notice about the wines range?”. The nuances, as opposed to the residual sugar, are what make wines unique and distinct.

Step 5: Pay Attention To Wine Textures & Body

Lastly, when you taste wine, you’ll want to be sure to pay attention to the wine’s body and texture. What does this mean exactly? The texture of wines is what gives them body. For example, sweet table wines like rose offer a crispy texture on the tip of the tongue and the roof of the mouth. Grape tannins, which provide wines with a sense of weight and structure, will help you to determine the type of wine it is as well. Be aware of where the grape tannin hits your mouth and the type of feeling you experience.

A Wine Palate Is Not Perfected Overnight

The 6 steps mentioned above are a great way to begin developing your wine palate and tasting abilities. However, don’t be discouraged if this doesn’t occur right away. Sometimes it can take multiple attempts before you’re able to accurately identify flavours and aromas. The good news is, it’s never too late to start!

Visit The Hare Wine Co. For An Exclusive Wine Tasting Experience

Are you interested in developing your palate? The Hare Wine Co. is a great place to get started. We offer tasting options, as well as private patio events that offer the opportunity to wander the grounds of our stunning Niagara-on-the-Lake vineyards. Our club members enjoy a marvellous atmosphere, as well as the opportunity to book a full wine and charcuterie pairing.

Contact us today to learn more!

Why To Support Local Vineyards

There has never been a better time to support small businesses, including your favourite local wineries.

With the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns occurring all over the world, there has never been a more important time than now to support small business owners. Many have been forced to close their doors permanently, while others have had to operate under restrictions and regulations that had a lasting impact on their business.

Now that the summer season is in full force, it’s a great opportunity to get out and support local wineries. Wine is more just a beverage – it’s an experience. Whether that means going to wine tastings with your girlfriends, sharing a bottle of wine at one of your favourite restaurants or just enjoying a glass with your significant other on a quiet night in, wine has always been there for us when we needed it most. Winemakers have both, directly and indirectly, provided us with memorable experiences and a sense of community and we should reciprocate those efforts.

Ontario is home to many wonderful estates and vineyards, including the beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries. And it’s time we get out again and explore everything they have to offer.

The Benefits Of Supporting The Local Wine Industry

Over the last year, many people have realized the importance of helping local businesses thrive. While most wineries in Ontario benefit from consumers purchasing their wines or visiting their vineyards, customers also gain a lot from the experience itself. Here are some of the most important benefits that may convince a consumer to buy from a local winery:

Access To Expertise

How many times have you walked into wine shops and needed advice on which bottle to buy for a specific occasion? When buying local, you have the opportunity to speak with people who work in the vineyard and know the wines better than anyone else. These industry-leading experts can offer you advice, share knowledge on how wine is made in the early stages and even provide recommendations on which wines pair well with your favourite food. Makers of wine are dedicated to their craft, so it’s important to honour that work by coming directly to them. Sales help keep their businesses afloat, but the powerful insight they offer to the market is unmatched.

Competitive Pricing

Did you know that purchasing directly from your local winery is often more cost-effective than shopping at a grocery or liquor store? This is because you’re buying directly from the source. Wineries overseas have to account for international shipping feeds, as well as storage fees with partners who agree to sell their product. All of this results in an increase in pricing, which could be avoided if you chose to purchase wine that was made locally by small producers. When you support your local winery, you’ll get a great product, without having to spend an exuberant amount of money.

Sense Of Community

It’s no secret that organizations that appeal to the masses don’t often develop individual relationships with their customers. For example, franchised restaurants won’t often have the same people coming in every weekend for a meal. However, this occurs frequently with small diners. A small business has the ability to create a sense of community for its audience. In this case, many wineries throughout Ontario offer wine tasting experiences or specialized dinners at estate restaurants. Local wines strengthen community ties, especially when paired with local meats and produce. This helps to develop and encourage local culture. Wineries are a great place to meet new people and immerse yourself in the community culture. This can result in long-lasting and meaningful friendships for years to come.

Staying Healthy

One of the most overlooked aspects of supporting a local winery is the overall health benefits. While many might not equate the idea of wine to health, it is still really important to know where your wines come from. When you support local producers, you have the unique privilege of asking how they craft wine and what ingredients are used. This gives you the opportunity to avoid any brand that uses additives and isn’t made with quality grapes. Whether it’s food or wine, you should always do research on the region of production so that you can make the best choice for your health. Always prioritize wineries that produce their product with quality ingredients – which is what you will find with most vineyards in your local community.

Environmental Perks

Sustainability has become essential for businesses all around the world. Not only are small-scale wine and food producers good for communities, but they are also good for the environment. When you support local wineries, you’re also enabling small farms to practice growing organic food. This not only provides consumers with better quality wines, but it also helps to reduce harm to the environment. Buying wines locally essentially eliminates the need for the transportation of goods. This reduces our individual carbon footprints and has an overall positive impact on the environment.

How You Can Help Your Local Producers

So now that we understand why we should support local vineyards, it is also important to discuss how we can do so. As mentioned above, Ontario is home to some of the most spectacular wineries in the world.

1. Join A Wine Club At One Of Your Local Wineries

A lot of participating wineries have wine clubs that allow them to take part in exclusive events and offer premium delivery options. This makes buying local simple, yet fun.

2. Attend Wine Tastings With Friends And Family

Wine tastings are a great opportunity to explore multiple wineries in the region. Many Niagara wineries even sell bottles at these events or offer delivery services and information.

3. Place A Curbside Pickup Order Or Ask For Home Delivery

Skip the line at the wine shops and go directly to the source. Many wineries offer delivery services, as well as curbside pick-up. You’ll get a great rate and save the winery from having to pay transportation costs.

4. Order Local Wines From Restaurant Menus

If you’re out to dinner, try selecting a local wine from the menu. Not only can this help a winery with sales, but it can also encourage restaurants to offer more selection from that brand if they see the value.

5. Bring Awareness To Your Favourite Winery By Posting On Social Media

Having a strong social media presence helps any organization in this day and age. If you visit a winery, be sure to snap some pictures and share them with your following. This might increase sales and visitors for your favourite winemaker.

 

Join The Hare Wine Co‘s Exclusive Wine Club

Take part in private patio events and wander the grounds of our stunning Niagara-on-the-Lake vineyards. Our club allows you to enjoy the marvellous atmosphere, as well as the opportunity to book a full wine and charcuterie pairing. Contact us to learn more!

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