short trip to Niagara

I've been meaning to go to the Niagara region for the longest time but just never had the time to go out there. Usually when I drive home on a long weekend, it is mainly to see family. But Remembrance Day weekend, I decided to skip out on the food & wine show this year and make a short trip out to Niagara instead.

Before my trip, I contacted the winemaker at Vineland Estates to see if he was going to be around. Brian kindly arranged for me to tour the facility and do a tasting as part of my tour. The main reason for my visit was because I had chatted with Brian about their Pinot Meunièr still wine. Pinot Meunièr is a grape that is mainly used in making sparkling wine or champagne. But a single varietal still wine? I've never seen that before and was curious to try it. In all of Ontario, there are only two wineries that produce this - Keint-He vineyards in Prince Edward county is the other producer. And just between you and me, the Pinot Meunièr at Keint-He is awful. I tried it at a wine event recently and it was so bad that I could not believe they thought it was good for public consumption. It smelled like week old hockey equipment that was marinated in garbage. Btw, Pinot Meunièr is a red grape varietal. I was assured by my fellow wine friend that Vineland makes a very nice Pinot Meunièr.

Anyway, due to a mix up .. I didn't get a full tour but I got to see the barrel room and had a nice chat with the guide. Vineland graciously contacted me and invited me back for a private tasting. I hope to go back for a visit in the spring .. Maybe this time, I'll be able to have a talk with Brian about his wine making philosophy.