You all know by now what a fan of Canadian wine I am and that if possible, I always recommend it to my guests and readers. This year, Wine Country Ontario has picked me as one of their Top Ontario Wine Lovers to participate in their 12 Days of Wine Country Ontario. What is that you ask? Well, I was given the task of picking a gift that would highlight some of Ontario’s best wines and wineries. A tough task to say the least with such a long list to choose from. But after much thought, here is my ideal gift for the Holidays to help showcase what Ontario wines are all about.
I would start my day at one of my absolute favourite wineries, The Organized Crime. I was introduced to their wines a few years ago. Once I tasted their intricately made wines, I fell immediately in love. “We farm the land ourselves, and assist in the wimemaking throughout all stages of the process. Our production volumes are very small. We purposefully lean towards the passion side of the busines, rather then the commercial.” I love that. In the wine world, you can taste the passion. Don’t believe me? Buy a bottle of the ‘Big brand’ Pinot Gris and a bottle of Ontario made The Organized Crime Pinot Gris (one of my personal favs) and you’ll see exactly what I mean.
My ideal Wine Country Ontario day would begin therefore with a tour of The Organized Crime grounds to see the hands on approach and beauty of the Niagara Escarpment & Twenty Valley. Listening carefully to the history of the winery itself and taking in the beauty surrounding me. An experience that I can guarantee you won’t forget. I would allow myself to be romanced by the love they put into their product every single day.
After a beautiful day of tasting and wine appreciation, I would end it all with dinner at the breath taking The Restaurant at Peninsula Ridge. This landmark in the country side is a part of the Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery family and is one of the best dinning experiences to be had in beautiful Beamsville, Ontario. “Built in 1885 in the Queen Anne style by Grimsby architect Frank Hill, the house was recently declared as an historic site under the Ontario Heritage Act for its historical and architectural significance.” Sipping Ontario wine with the one I love, talking about all the varietals I had sampled during the day and enjoying the romance of it all… Sounds positively perfect, wouldn’t you agree?
Now. Here’s my little secret… This isn’t just a fantasy. Thanks to FASHIONIGHTS & Wine Country Ontario, you have a chance to WIN this romantic day I have planned featuring some of the best Wine Country Ontario has to offer. In order to enter, simply tweet the following:
” @DoTheDaniel & @WineCountryOnt, pick ME to win with romance for #12DaysWCO with #FASHIONIGHTS”
Winner will be chosen at random Friday December 20th 2013 at 5:00pm. One entry per contestant. Legal Drinking Age required in the Province of Ontario.
And so, next time when in the LCBO for the Holidays, why not pick up a bottle of Ontario wine and show your guests what Wine Country Ontario has to offer & drink it in.
Photos: Wine Country Ontario, The Organized Crime & Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery