Wine is without a doubt one of lifes little luxuries. The drinks of the Gods and our modern day forbidden fruit, the wines of different regions tease us with their tantalizing tastes and their smooth liquescent surfaces.
Now, I dont pretend to be any sort of sommelier but where wine is concerned I am always open to new suggestions. So with this in mind, on a recent visit to the picturesque province of Ontario, I gave into the tasty temptation. Setting about on a week-long tour, I discovered some of the most indulgently delicious wineries in the beautiful Niagara Falls region. Here are just a few of my personal favourites from my trip, with names that are as memorable as the wines themselves; well, after one glass anyway
Megalomaniac (John Howard Cellars of Distinction)
My first attraction was, of course, the name. Anywhere named after a mental illness involving delusions of grandeur has to be somewhere worth visiting. However make no mistake, with a 96 acre vineyard offering panoramic views overlooking Toronto and Niagara Falls there are no delusions here. Grandeur at every twist and turn, the signature wines here are equally as indulgent. My recommendation is to taste the Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in a French oak cellar for over 22 years, to revel in the full frivolous feeling here.
The Foreign Affair Winery
Like something out of Thomas Crown Affair, this rich Italian inspired winery was both chic and seductive. Formed around the Italian wine Amarone, Len Crispino and his wife Marisa built this boutique winery to store their innovative selection of red and white wines made from home-grown appassimento grapes. Discovering a European flavour with a Canadian twist in their wines, this was probably my favourite place to enjoy a tantalizing tipple!
The Organized Crime Winery
Nestled in the heart of Beamsville Bench and with one of the most memorable names that I have ever come across, this small winery has both history and character. Humorously named, this beautiful boutique winery has become renowned for its fruit-focused wines including award-winning Rieslings. However, you will have to visit to find out for yourself the real reason for its name
