Taste the Season 

The "go to event of the season" is back again this November, bringing together the 21 Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake for a fabulous celebration of great wine and the season's best bounty. This popular touring and tasting program is a wine and food extravaganza featuring 21 premium VQA wines carefully matched with delicious food pairings.

Taste the Season offers a wonderful showcase of Niagara-on-the-Lake wine country. It's also a great time to explore unique wine and gift selections or stock up for holiday entertaining. The event will run for four weekends in November – November 7/8, 14/15, 21/22 and 28/29, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. A full listing of featured wines and food pairings can be found at www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com.

Passes can be used for one weekend only and include a 2009 collectible holiday ornament as a keepsake of the event. A portion of the proceeds from each pass will go to support the food program of Community Care St. Catharines-Thorold, to help feed those in our community who would otherwise go hungry.

Passes can be ordered online at www.niagaraonthelake.com. To order by phone, call the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce at 905-468-1950.

Ticket Price: $40 per person (plus applicable taxes).

This November, the Wineries of Niagara-on-the Lake welcome guests to savour the richness of the Niagara-on-the-Lake growing region to experience 21 distinctive wineries, each with its own personality reflected in the wines they craft.

The members of the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake are Cattail Creek, Château des Charmes, Coyote's Run, Hillebrand, Inniskillin, Jackson-Triggs, Joseph's, Konzelmann, Lailey, Maleta, Marynissen, Niagara College, Palatine Hills, Peller, Pillitteri, Reif, Southbrook, Stonechurch, Stratus, Strewn and Sunnybrook Farm.

2009 Wine and Food Pairings

Cattail Creek Estate Winery
2008 Gamay Noir paired with Gamay-Infused Sausages topped with Sautéed Wild Mushrooms served on a Grape Skin Baguette

Château des Charmes
2007 Chardonnay Barrel Fermented paired with PEI Lobster and Cognac  Bisque Shot with Crème Fraiche

Coyote's Run Estate Winery
2008 Unoaked Chardonnay paired with Sweet Roasted Pepper and Lobster Ragu

Hillebrand Winery
2007 Trius Red paired with Trius Pot Pies

Inniskillin Wines
2006 Olympic Vidal Icewine paired with French Onion Soup with Niagara Gold Crouton

Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery
2006 Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Cassoulet with Cabernet-Braised Pork Belly

Joseph's Estate Wines
2006 Gewürztraminer/Riesling paired with Almondine Tart with Poached Apples

Konzelmann Estate Winery
2007 Sparkling Riesling Methode Cuvée Close paired with Salmon-Zucchini Twist crowned with ‘Bleu Turtle Salsa' and Chive Cream Cheese dollop on Artisan Corn Bread

Lailey Vineyard
2008 Counterpoint (Gewürztraminer/Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay/Riesling) paired with Chèvre and Smoked Trout Pinwheel

Maleta Estate Winery
2007 VIEW Old Vines Brut paired with Mary Ellen's Icewine Sponge Cake

Marynissen Estates Winery
2007 Solstice (Merlot/Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon) paired with BBQ Beef Satay with an Aioli Dip

Niagara College Teaching Winery
2006 Shiraz paired with Black Currant, Pepper and Venison Medley served with freshly baked Artisan Bread

Palatine Hills Estate Winery
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine paired with Asian Spring Roll With Semi-Sweet and Saucy Dipping Sauce

Peller Estates Winery
2007 Private Reserve Chardonnay paired with St. Honore Cheese and Truffle Mushroom Tart

Pillitteri Estates Winery
2007 Cabernet Franc paired with Hearty Beef Stew with Cabernet Franc Jus in a Vol Au Vent Shell

Reif Estate Winery
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve paired with Mini Local Antipasto featuring Bresola, Granello Cheese and Oregano Infused oven dried Niagara Tomatoes

Southbrook Vineyards
2008 Triomphe Merlot paired with Mini Beef Burger Sliders or Mushroom Burger Sliders

Stonechurch Vineyards
2007 Merlot paired with Shrimp Cocktail

Stratus
2006 Wildass White (Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon) paired with Sweet Potato Profiteroles

Strewn
2007 Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Creamy Mushroom Medley in Puff Pastry

Sunnybrook Farm Estate Winery
Iced Cherry paired with Chocolate Treat