Icewine—A reason to celebrate in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Everything we’ve planned, accomplished and amassed over the past eight years comes to fruition in 2016. Some call it “the circle of life.” It’s a year of culmination, appreciation and celebration and no place engages in the “celebration of life” better than Niagara-on-the-Lake and its bed-and-breakfast community!

Ring in 2016!

Why not take advantage of great post-Christmas savings and start the New Year with something sassy and new from one of the many shops and boutiques located on Queen Street or at the Outlet Collection of Niagara?

With so many wonderful restaurants and celebrity chefs in the area, Niagara-on-the-Lake is the perfect place to plan a New Year’s Eve gathering with family and friends. In fact, why not make a weekend of it? Reserve all the rooms at your favourite bed and breakfast and book a table for December 31 at any of our fine dining establishments in town. Later, back at your B&B of choice, toast each other as the clock strikes midnight. Don’t forget the champagne!

The annual Icewine Festival is a perfect excuse to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake in January.

The annual Icewine Festival is a perfect excuse to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake in January.

What better way to introduce new beginnings than with a good old-fashioned levee, hosted by the Friends of Fort George. Celebrations start at 3 p.m., January 1 at Navy Hall, and include toasts, music performed by the 41st Regiment Fife and Drum Corps, and a cannon firing to welcome in the New Year. Call 905-468-6621 for information.

If you’re looking for something quiet and relaxing to do on Saturday, January 2 (or any other Saturday in January or February, for that matter), spend a couple of hours at the Shaw Festival Film Series as you enjoy a great movie with a glass of wine. Showings begin at 3 p.m. sharp and movie tickets cost $12 each (including taxes) at the Festival Theatre Box Office. We should mention the series also showcases fabulous documentaries at 6 p.m. every Friday evening from January 1 to February 12.

Chase away those winter blues

January in Niagara-on-the-Lake is all about Icewine, so it’s no surprise we choose to celebrate this liquid gold with a festival held in its honour. For three glorious weekends in January (15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31), the Niagara Region transforms into a wintry wonderland as it celebrates Ontario icewine. From galas and chestnut roasts to ornate ice bars and winery tours, there’s something for every taste.

Take full advantage of the many festivities and experiences offered at various wineries participating in the Niagara Icewine Festival by purchasing the $40 Niagara Wine Festival Discovery Pass online, at participating wineries or at various travel and tourism centres in Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Niagara Region.

Savour Niagara's liquid gold at the 2016 Icewine Festival.

Savour Niagara’s liquid gold at the 2016 Icewine Festival.

Throughout the three-weekend-long festival, a number of participating wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake host a variety of Niagara Icewine Festival events. Far to many to list here, examples include a classic pairing of Between The Lines 2013 Vidal Icewine and delicious Pear Tarte Tatin at Between the Lines Family Estate Winery; a pork belly taco with apple onion slaw alongside a delicious 2014 Vidal Icewine at Château des Charmes; chicken and waffles paired with a cool and highly awarded Riesling Icewine at Inniskillin Winery; a savoury goat cheese and olive pizza paired perfectly with a Cabernet France Icewine at Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery; Atlantic Seafood Chowder paired with a medal-winning Vidal Icewine at Konzelmann Estate Winery.

The 2016 Niagara Icewine Festival begins on Friday, January 15, with the Sparkle and Ice Diamond Gala. Join icewine makers from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Grand Hall in the Courthouse on Queen Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake, where you partake in VQA wines paired with icewine-inspired tastings prepared by local restaurant chefs. Tickets are $107.35, including taxes.

Feast on food and icewine pairings at special Icewine Festival galas.

Feast on food and icewine pairings at special Icewine Festival galas.

Other planned Icewine Festival events in Niagara-on-the-Lake include a performance by the sensational JUNO-winning Dominic Mancuso Group on January 16; the Flash & Panache: Icewine Cocktail Competition on January 17 from 9 to 11 p.m.; White on Ice Dinner on January 23, an amazing outdoor dinner showcasing delightful culinary creations and perfectly paired wines in a celebration set against the backdrop of the Queen Street Icewine Village; and the Icebreakers Comedy Festival on January 24 & 25 at various venues, with a grand finale on Saturday evening.

Then from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 23 and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 24, a portion of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s historic Queen Street morphs into a pedestrian-only fantasy world where 26 wineries pour their liquid gold and local chefs tempt your palate with culinary creations. Stroll past sparkling ice sculptures and browse through any of the many shops in the Heritage District. Call 905-468-1950 for more information on the many Icewine Festival events in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

 

Posted by Donna S. Vieira on behalf of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Bed & Breakfast Association

 

This is the one and only official website of the Niagara-on-the-Lake B&B Association. Members listed on this site have undergone health and safety inspections, are legally licensed to operate as a B&B and meet all the required standards set out by the association. If you prefer to book online, this option also ensures that commissions go back into the association’s coffers for the benefit of all members of the not-for-profit association and not other, unrelated, commercial entities.