Wineries and such

CYCLING TOUR OF PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY

Two weeks later I am sat in the office eating my first Ontario apple of the season (A Paula Red if you are wondering) and reflecting on our cycling holiday to the County with fond memories even though I can still barely walk having cycled over 500k. I pulled a muscle in my hip which was not cycling related but it ultimately put an end to our jaunt. Nevertheless it was a great trip. We tasted many wonderful wines and some not quite so great and we of course had some amazing foods. Which I will talk about another day.

This is a great way to support Ontario wine makers, expand your knowledge and taste buds. Unfortunately the LCBO doesn't stock all of the wines we tried but maybe one of the stores would be able to get hold of a case if you ask nicely. Orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr just go on a road trip and have yourself a blast like we did.

The first day of wine tasting started us off at Huff wineries where we enjoyed an excellent glass of Riesling on the patio. We tried many others but this was the favorite cold, crisp and not too fruity. Sugar bush wineries offered us a very drinkable oaked chardonnay and a pleasant ice wine. The old third winery stuck to making just one wine a 'Pinot Noir' which was almost sold out and had, had great reviews with which I defiantly agree with. Then off to Clossen Chase's awesome chardonnays which were out of our price range but we throughly enjoyed the tastings in a wonderful backyard setting. Cycling back to the campground was fun after all this wine. A little bit of weaving around in the road is not always a good thing but it's always a fun thing.

The second day we only did two wineries those being Exultet who served us one of the best ice wines I've ever had. (especially good at 11am, defiantly a breakfast wine.) The second was Long Dog wineries where we found our host very knowledgeable of the grape and the process of wine making. He told us that red wines are a little more difficult to make in the County. The reason being is that the growing season is too short so the grape doesn't get the fullest Omph! Some wineries blend their grapes with grapes from the Niagara region which creates a wonderful palatable blend and some opt to use just the grapes grown locally. Either way we certainly tasted some excellent products.

Then saving the best till last we cycled out to Waupoos on the third day where the cider is made. I think the county cider is the best tasting but Julian thinks it is the waupoos brand which excels. (pictured above.) Then if I wasn't already in heaven we tried the cider ice wine which is to die for. Sooooooooooo smooth and rich but not overpoweringly sweet. If this is the only thing you taste here it is well worth it. This is also where we tried a very good 'Cabernet Franc' under the label of Fool on the Hill, which I find appropriate to my own undertakings in life. Then last but not least we headed down the road to Waupoos Estates winery were we had the very best 'Baco Noir' which should defiantly be enjoyed with Cuban cigars and very fine chocolate.

We returned last week by truck and bought a couple of cases of our favorites to store for the winter months and next summer. Whilst revisiting Exultet again the owner told us he had just racked over a particularly good chardonnay which he invited us to taste. He was right it was rather good. Sadly it won't be ready till late October. So I guess we will be making another trip. Darn!