Although it doesn't look and feel like spring outside, one sure sign that the weather will soon turn for the better and match the season on the calendar is an increase in the number of wine events. So to get you in the spirit and hopeful nudge mother nature in the right direction we've put together a list of wine events that caught our eye over the next month.
Tawse Pinot Pre-Release
Date: Sat. Mar. 29th, 12-4pm (one per hour)
Location: Tawse Winery 3955 Cherry Avenue, Vineland, ON
Cost: $20 (free for Tawse wine club members) email Laurie to reserve a spot
For the past few years Tawse has held a preview tasting of its Pinot Noirs in early spring and this year's happens this weekend. The hour-long structured tasting led by winemaker Paul Pender and proprietor Moray Tawse will showcase the upcoming 2011 vintage, offer an exclusive preview and first crack at ordering the soon-to-be-bottled 2012 vintage, as well as a barrel tasting of the 2013 Pinot Noirs harvested last season. It's an excellent hands-on way to learn why terroir and vintage matter, as well as a fantastic opportunity for Pinot lovers to taste and buy some of the limited production and top label wines from one of Niagara's best Pinot producers.
Ravine Vintage and Vinyl Wine Sale
Date: Sat. Mar 29th 12-4pm
Location: Ravine Vineyard Barrel Cellar 1366 York Road, St. Davids, ON
Cost: $10 (free for Ravine wine club members) Call Laurie at 905-262-8463, ext. 29 or email to reserve a spot
This year Ravine is once again hosting a preview and back vintage tasting in its barrel cellar with some classic vintage tunes on vinyl as the back drop. This will the first tasting of its reds from the blockbuster 2012 vintage. To give you a bit of context the winemaking team will also be pouring some of its top reds from 2007 and 2010. Since food and wine always make each other better the winery's restaurant will be serving some of its house-made charcuterie and bread and cheese to enjoy during the tasting.
County in the City
Date: Thurs. Apr. 3rd 5-9pm
Location: Berkeley Church 315 Queen St. E., Toronto ON
Cost: $49 a ticket (includes samples and food)
Over the past few years Prince Edward County has moved from promising up-and-coming wine region to a must visit if you want to try some of the province's best Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and bubbly. Luckily, this spring you won't need to make the 2.5 hour trip from the city to try the wines because some of the County's top wineries are coming to Toronto for County in the City. The all inclusive ticket gives you the opportunity to taste some of PEC's best juice, interact with the people who make it and some bites to enjoy alongside the wine. Since this is a try-and-buy event wineries are even offering free delivery on bottles you order at the tasting.
Bravo Niagara!’s “Spring into Music @ Stratus”
Date: Sat. Apr. 12th 2:30-4pm & 7:30-10pm
Location: Stratus Vineyards 2059 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Cost: $24.50 for Intimately Classical (2:30-4pm) & $99 for Jazz Up Close (7:30-10pm)
Stratus' Press Alley has been the birth place of some impressive wines. It has also hosted some great dinners and events over the years, too. Still one thing it hasn't hosted yet is 9-foot Steinway. Come mid-April that will have changed as the Stratus team with the help of Bravo Niagara! is welcoming spring by transforming Press Ally into a concert hall for one day. The special day begins with an afternoon session called: Intimately Classical, which will feature the sounds of Greek pianist Grigorios Zamparas, American teenage prodigy and Juilliard student Nadia Azzi and Bravo Niagara! composer-in-residence Constantine Caravassilis. As the sun begins to set Stratus and Bravo Niagara! will be putting on an equally impressive encore session titled Jazz Up Close with performances by Canadian JUNO winner Molly Johnson, Robi Botos and Mike Downes. And since it wouldn't be right to host a concert in a winery and not enjoy a glass, tickets include a guided tasting of Stratus' acclaimed wines.
Vineland vs. Fielding New Dinner Series
Date: Thurs. Apr. 25th 6:30-10pm
Location: Vineland Estates Winery 3620 Moyer Road Vineland, ON
Cost: $75 for the five course menu and $45 for the wine pairings (parings are $10 for Vineland Connections Wine Club members) Call Diane at 1-888-846-3526, ext. 15 or email to reserve a seat
For nearly a decade Vineland Estates has held a special annual dinner it has dubbed Ironic Chef. The dinner has put the Vineland Estate Restaurant house chef against a visiting chef for a delicious, playful and informal dining competition where guests decide who made the better dish. This year the Vineland team has put a bit of a twist on the format with a new series that puts bragging rights up for grabs on which Bench (Twenty Mile or Beamsville) makes the best wine pairings. Vineland winemaker Brain Schmidt and his team will square off against his Fielding counterpart Richie Roberts and his team in contest where diners will decide who made the best wine pairing for each course of Vineland chef Justin Downes' menu. It should be great fun with the real winner being the diners.
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