SMALL TALK VINEYARDS
In partnership with
The ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA – NIAGARA BRANCH
Present:
STARGAZING in the VINEYARD
Saturday, September 21st – 8-11PM
Doors open at 7:00pm – FREE ADMISSION!
Available for purchase:
Wine by the glass – $6
Tasting platters with a selection of local cheeses, smoked meats & crackers – $15
Small Talk Vineyards
1242 Irvine Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Looking for accommodations – Call 1-866-226-4730 or 905-980-0346
Mar 04 2013
This saison pairs well with just about any food (Image: David Ort)
New breweries seem to sprout up in groups. The once-dry Junction now has two; new ones are opening in Muskoka and now Niagara has a few. Last November, Oast House joined Silversmith Brewing Company in the growing club of breweries in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Farmhouse Saison is a notable selection from Oast House’s small portfolio of beers.
The two beers in Oast House’s Farmhouse series (the second one, the Biere de Garde, will be released soon), are bottle-conditioned for at least two months. This treatment gives the saison a cloudy haze that lends a glow to the dark straw colour. The aromas and flavours twist together spicy notes like clove and cardamom with fruity notes of orange peel and banana. There is a good deal of European-style hops in the background that leads smoothly into the refreshing, dry finish.
Historically, the saison style (originating from the French-speaking southern half of Belgium) was made in the early spring and stored for summer consumption during the busiest time of year for farm workers.
That said, I think saison’s ability to pair with just about any food helps it break free from the seasonal typecasting more than other hot-weather beers like wits and weissbiers. The bottle-conditioning provides a lively carbonation that cuts through the grease from fried foods; the fruity, herbal and floral notes contrast with darker meat flavours; and the slight hop bitterness keeps spicy food in line.
I look forward to sampling more of the brewery’s offerings, like the Barnraiser Country Ale and the Crop Duster Belgian IPA.
Appropriately for Niagara, Oast House partners Cian MacNeill and Mike Berlis are both accredited sommeliers with winery backgrounds. The brewmaster and third partner, Kevin Somerville, helped get Niagara College’s brewmaster program off the ground.
If you can’t make it out to Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Oast House saison is also available in Toronto at barVolo, The Rhino and Indie Ale House. Other beers from the catalogue are carried by Tequila Bookworm, Wvrst and Bar Hop.
MacNeill sees what he calls the “new Niagara” as encompassing more than just wine (or even beer), but also distilleries, restaurants, food trucks and markets that are about “diversity, creativity and ambition.”
Niagara Oast House Brewers Farmhouse Saison, $11 for a 750 mL bottle at the brewery
In addition to covering beer, new restaurants and food trucks for Post City, David Ort writes about food and drink for several Toronto publications including Spotlight Toronto and his own site, Food With Legs. For more of his thoughts on food, beer and life in general, follow him on Twitter.
Gazebo in Niagara on the Lake
MORE WAYS TO USHER IN THE NEW YEAR!!
There will be plenty of ways to welcome the start of 2013. Whether it’s New Year’s Eve events you’re looking for or a new tradition for New Year’s Day, Niagara-on-the-Lake and surrounding areas have you covered. Here’s a rundown on what you can do to welcome the new year:
• Party the night away at the old courthouse downtown with the St. Andrew’s Society. The New Year’s Eve Ball will feature live music by the 5th Avenue Dance Band, a gourmet dinner and a bagpiper ringing in the new year around the cenotaph/clock tower on Queen Street at midnight.
Organizer Margaret Middleton said the event is always a fun time and is open to the whole community. The evening starts with cocktails at 7:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 8:30. The meal includes appetizers, leek and potato soup with aged cheddar and two choices of mains, wine-braised boneless short ribs or pan-roasted filet of salmon with wild forest mushroom cream. Dessert is included. There will be a cash bar for the evening and the dress code is formal, men can wear suits, tuxedos or kilts. Tickets are $90 per person and must be purchased in advance.
For tickets contact Middleton at 905-468-1539 or email mwmiddleton@cogeco.ca.
• Niagara Falls will be playing host to one of the largest New Year’s Eve parties in the country with thousands of people heading down to the brink of the world-famous falls to welcome the new year. Live performances for the Dec. 31 event include Dragonette, Hedley and Nelly Furtado.
The free show kicks off at 7:30 p.m. in Queen Victoria Park. Presented by the Niagara Parks Commission and Entertainment Tonight (ET) Canada, the event will air live on TV for those preferring to stay at home. The evening also includes two fireworks display. For full details visit www.niagaraparks.com/nye.
• On Jan. 1, 2013 the Royal Canadian Legion General Nelles br. 124 will once again host its annual New Year’s Day Levee to welcome the new year. The whole community is invited out to reflect back on the year that just passed and to toast the year to come. The event will run from 1-4 p.m. at the Legion hall at 410 King St. There will be light food and refreshments available.
• When all of the partying is said and done, don’t forget to hold on to those extra bottles. The Newark Squadron 809 Air Cadets will once again be conducting a holiday bottle collection drive. On Jan. 5 the cadets will conduct door-to-door pick-ups of bottles in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Old Town, Garrison Village, Queenston, St. Davids and Virgil. The pick-ups will take place between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Those who prefer to drop off their bottles can do so at Van Noort Greenhouses, 2069 Creed Rd., at the corner of Hunter Rd. on Jan. 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Call us for your accommodation needs at: 1-866-226-4730
Gazebo in Niagara on the Lake
JAZZ.FM91 – Canada’s Premier Jazz Station
JAZZ.FM91, Canada’s only not-for-profit radio station dedicated to jazz and the jazz community at large. Featuring on-air and web only streams, news, program listings, playlists, and more.
Looking for accommodations call 1-866-226-4730 for the Christmas Season.
http://www.mississauga.com/what%27s%20on/article/1517042–author-tells-tales-of-war-of-1812
Need a Cottage Rental for the Weekend? Call 1-866-226-4730
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Shaw Festival Theatre – Great theatre in the heart of Niagara Wine Country
Shaw Festival Theatre – Great theatre in the heart of Niagara Wine Country”
Check out what’s happening on the Shaw Festival & Winery for this weekend: http://www.shawfest.com
“Last year we celebrated our 50th birthday to huge acclaim and, looking ahead, I like to think that we are now embarking on the first season of our next 50 years.
And what does this mean? Well, while Shaw’s compelling quest for the truth will remain at the heart of what we do, it means that we must now, more than ever, continue to move forward – embracing new writers, revealing new worlds, exploring new approaches to our classic plays.
We aim to showcase the best in contemporary theatrical thought – past, present and future – still celebrating what Shaw and we so passionately believe in: provocative, challenging stores told with humanity and wit.
We are primed and ready to go. Come and be a part of the conversation!”see
ANNA HOBBS, Special to QMI Agency
There’s always lots happening in Niagara, and never more than in July and August. Here are 11 great reasons to visit this summer.
1. Inniskillin’s Canada Day
It’s actually a four-day celebration with the Piazza becoming a hub of activity dotted with flags, red umbrella picnic tables and Muskoka chairs. July 1-4. Sip fine VQA wine, enjoy Chef David Penny’s locally inspired cooking, wave the flag and, on Canada Day, watch fireworks over the vineyard. See inniskillin.com.
2. Bikers’ delight
Some 50,000 motorcycle enthusiasts and 250 industry vendors take over the new Scotiabank Convention Centre July 20-21 for the biggest motorcycle event Niagara Falls has ever for seen. Outfit your bike or yourself, take a demo ride, check out a stunt show and meet industry icons. See niagaramotorcycleshow.com.
3. Relax to the max
For the uber relaxing couple-escape, the tranquil, subterranean Spa at White Oaks Resort offers Couples Reconnect — a two-hour indulgence in the luxurious couple’s suite, where you can relax by a romantic fire following side-by-side, Nectar of Niagara massages. One of the largest spa facilities in Ontario you’ll experience a 5-Star, 4-Diamond customer service experience. See whiteoaksresort.com.
4. Into the woods
Swap the urban jungle for the pastoral trails of the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve where you’ll marvel at the 37 different types of wild orchids, the diversity of the birds and mammals and the outcroppings of rock streams and mini waterfalls. Up close and personal with nature, it’s a winning place to unwind for the entire family. Including Fido. See escarpment.org.
5. Backstage at Shaw
Peek behind the scenes at a world-class theatre. This hour-long tour takes you to the glamorous world of wardrobes and wigs, then gives you a front-row seat at a rehearsal in full swing. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays until Oct. 31. Call ahead to book ( 1-800-511-7429 ) while making reservations for this season’s smash hit, the Tony Award-winning musical Rag Time. See shawfest.com.
6. Jazzy vineyard
Hillebrand has been bringing top notch Canadian jazz talent to their vineyard for 23 years. On July 14 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., it’s Jazz at the Winery with spectacular music, fine wines and Chef Frank Dodd’s great local cuisine. Seating options are as simple as a picnic on the lawn or as sophisticated as a reserved seat and a gourmet three-course meal at the restaurant patio. Seereservations.andrewpeller.com/events/jb-event.html.
7. Celebrating fruit
Discover the gentle charm of Niagara at one of several fruit festivals held throughout the summer. There’s no better way to experience the warm and friendly feeling of being part of a small community that doesn’t even know you. The first — Cherry Festival, July 7 at St. Marks Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake. See stmarks1792.com.
8. War of 1812
Bicentennial festivities honouring the War of 1812 will be in full swing for the entire summer; however Aug. 11-12 is the time to experience the most extravagant re-enactment of the Siege of Fort Erie ever produced. Step into Old Fort Erie and a world of red coats, black powder and grey fortress walls. See discover1812.com.
9. Canal days
Tall Ships gather in Port Colborne Aug. 3-6 for the Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival — four days of activities and attractions that honour the city’s marine heritage and its connection to the St. Lawrence Seaway. There’s fun for the entire family. See portcolborne.ca.
10. Golf with dinosaurs
Fifty astonishingly realistic and life-sized dinosaurs populate two 18-hole golf courses at Niagara Falls newest attraction — Dinosaur Golf. Amidst the sounds of the jungle, golfers play over decorative ponds with fast-moving rapids and around a 50-foot high “active” steam-erupting volcano, then directly through an eerie, cavernous volcanic interior. Contact 905-358-3676 .
11. Top draw
It’s an oldie but goodie. For 166 years, the Maid of the Mist has been bringing visitors to the edge — the very thrilling edge — of the Falls. The original Maid was a steam-powered paddle-wheeler ferry; today she is one of four state-of-the-art, diesel-powered boats, each capable of accommodating 600 passengers. There’s no better place to feel the astounding, wind-driven mist. See maidofthemist.com.
For last minute accommodations call 1-866-226-4730.
