Exploring Niagara-on-the-Lake: An Ice Wine Adventure

The subsequent morning in Niagara-on-the-Lake commenced with an unexpected turn. Following an extended and relaxed breakfast by the fire, I expressed a desire to visit a maple syrup establishment just outside of town, recalling my fondness for sweets articulated in the previous entry.

However, “just outside of town” translated into a substantial 45-minute drive. Upon arrival, the venue’s offerings were limited primarily to tasting and purchasing maple syrup.

I was anticipating a comprehensive introduction to the process of creating this esteemed Canadian delicacy, including the innovative uses to which it can be applied, mainly for the purposes of research (my dedication to sweet treats is unwavering).

Ultimately, though my expectations were not fully realized, a bottle of maple syrup served as a consolation prize. We then proceeded to another vineyard, which was already included in our itinerary, to indulge in more wine and culinary delights.

Inniskillin stands as a remarkably historic winery, with a reputation integral to the ice wine industry in Canada.

All concerns melted away once I caught a whiff of the delectable aromas emanating from the smoker/grill, which had been eagerly anticipated for our lunch.

Lunch unfolded as another exquisite experience, characterized by a more intimate setting, as we engaged with the winemakers (with whom we would later partake in a wine tasting) while savoring course after course of delectable dishes.

Our meal commenced with a rich soup, soon followed by the much-anticipated smoked grilled pork served atop truffle mac and cheese, which was every bit as delectable as it sounds.

At one amusing moment, Lloyd laughed aloud during lunch when queried about additional meat. His expression reflected the internal struggle I faced: a polite hesitation, while my inner self eagerly yelled, “ME!!! I want ALL the pork!”.

Eventually, I relinquished convention and requested more pork, which I gleefully devoured! It was simply exquisite!

Dessert arrived in the form of decadent dark chocolate ice cream accompanied by waffles, all enhanced by expertly curated wine pairings along the way.

After lunch, we engaged in a delightful tasting session with the chief winemaker, a personal highlight. To my surprise, the choice of glassware significantly influenced the wine’s taste. The variations were not subtle; we experienced sensations that resembled entirely distinct wines, despite being sourced from the same bottle.

We concluded our day with a brief exploration of the region, with the anticipation of a different experience in summer when the vines flourish, understanding the picturesque quality during winter with imminent snowfall.

Departing Inniskillin, our journey led to other explored areas of Niagara-on-the-Lake that we had yet to discover from the previous day, which included one of the oldest houses in the region—McFarland House—and the smallest church we had ever encountered!

We paused briefly by the lake to observe the United States, situated so near that one could take a boat over in mere minutes if needed, before ultimately retreating from the increasingly frigid weather, seeking refuge with a warm pot of tea beside the hotel’s fireplace.