NVWR June 2017

Niagara Vintage Wine Review ISSUE NO. O7 • JUNE 2017

THE WINE SMART MAGAZINE

10

The Cottage Edition

Best Brews for Summer • Focus on Thornbury Brewery Sangria Recipes • Guide Spotlight • Gift Ideas for the Season

Founder's Note What better way to celebrate Canadas 150th year than with a Special Edition of the magazine!

When I was growing up in southern Ontario, I was very lucky that my Grandparents invested in a small, humble cottage in the Haliburton Highlands. I spent every summer there, well into my early 20s,. During my time there, I can honestly say that all my fondest childhood memories are of that place and those days. In many ways this place created the core of who I am today.

Back then traffic was not very heavy heading North and the drive was quick and easy and always full of anticipation to get there. I grew to be a very avid fisherman and spent many, many, many days in a canoe fighting the winds on the lake on my own to catch that big fish. Sometimes I was successful and other times not so much, but looking back now it was great to watch the lake grow into a great fishery!

Through the early 70s, 80s and 90s, the Beatles, Neil Diamond, Abba, Grace Slick and Pink Floyd were always on my mixtape in the good old boom box. I connected mine with a 100 foot extension cord to the dock. The night sky was clear and always full of countless stars; easy to see from the edge of the dock on the lake.

This location was my favourite place in the world. The lake was small and quiet, I loved to be out doors when I was young, I was a total dock kid, rain or shine.

As I got older it was all about playing euchre, big family BBQs, bonfires, rum and cokes, and gin and tonics. This eventually graduated to fine wines with a big steak dinner on the Saturday nights.

With over a 25 year hiatus of missing out on the Cottage life, my wife and I took the plunge and are now spending time with our 2 boys in Cottage Country and trying to get them out and about and OFF their iPads. I want to relive some of the good old days vicariously through them …Beatles and all!

With the stresses of life, and the stresses of running this type of customer-service oriented company, it has been a great opportunity to get away to the North of Ontario.

If you have the opportunity to rent a cottage, own a cottage or just get away up North it is always fun to start planning what the drinks of choice will be for the duration of your stay, A big red for the BBQ, small craft beers for the dock during the day, and a selection of nice crisp white wines for sipping as you're watching the sun set and cuddling up around the fire with marshmallows and smores!

I want to wish everyone a great 150 year celebration this summer. I hope that each of you make great family memories with loved ones and celebrate like it's 1999 with a great selection of fine Canadian wines and craft beers. It’s a great time to celebrate being Canadian; with Canadian wines and tasty beers, and don’t forget those new and upcoming distilleries!

Happy Birthday Canada!

Cheers,

Christopher Fuccillo

Founder Niagara Vintage Wine Tours INC THE WINE SMART PEOPLE!

Established in 2007, nestled in the famous Blue Mountains, the heart of Canada’s apple country, Thornbury Village Craft Cider House has been producing premium apple cider in a century old historic apple processing facility. Thornbury cider is traditionally crafted in small batches from locally sourced, pressed apples.

The flagship product, Thornbury Premium Apple Cider, is the number one selling, authentic, Ontario-made craft cider.

The Thornbury Brewery is a proud Ontario Craft Brewer producing award-winning, small-batch crafted European style pilsners and lagers.

Most notable brands include Pickup No. 26 Pilsner, which was awarded the Worlds’ Best Czech style Pilsner in 2016. The most recent release is the Heritage ‘1833’ Lager, a golden lager, inspired by the light of the morning sun rising over Georgian Bay, striking the famous Blue Mountains. The original brewer is located in Nobleton, Ontario, and officially opened in July of 2002 with one of the only authentic German decoction brew houses in Canada. Committed to brewing stylistically authentic, ultra-premium beer, the brewery has earned immediate recognition with both discerning beer drinkers and critics alike.

Thornbury Press Release - 2017

Awarded the Worlds’ Best Czech style Pilsner in 2016!

Celebrate Canada's 150th Birthday with these Great Picks!

Thornbury Pale Ale Silversmith Dam Buster Ale ( Niagara on the Lake ) Skinny Dippin Oatmeal Stout ( Saw Dust Brewing Company, Gravenhusrt Muskoka ) Mosquito Season Farmhouse Ale ( Haliburton Highlands Brewing Company ) Thornbury Pilsner ( Thornbury Village Brewery ) One of the Best Beers in the World: Thornbury Village 'Pickup Truck Pilsner' wins title of World's Top Pilsner!

White Wines at Sunset Muscat ( Peller Winery ) Niagara on The Lake Nobel White ( Rancourt Winery ) Niagara on The Lake Pinot Gris ( Marynissen ) Niagara on The Lake Pinot Grigio ( Fielding Winery ) Beamsville Bench Reserve Reiling ( Kacaba Winery ) Vineland

BBQ & Campfire Reds Gamay ( Malivoire ) Twenty Valley Jordan Pinot Noir ( Ridgepoint Winery) Beamsville Bench **Bella Terra Cabernet Sauvignon ( Pondview Winery ) Niagara on The Lake *Exclamation Cabernet Franc ( Pillitteri Winery ( Niagara on The Lake ) *** Vieni Appassimento 2012 ( Niagara Escarpment Twenty Valley )

WEIVER ENIW EGATNIV ARAGAIN EHT

Beer On The Dock

NVWR SPOTLIGHT

TIM CHRISTMAS

NIAGARA VINTAGE WINE SMART GUIDE

On retirement Tim felt the need to further explore his wine passion, and went back to school at Niagara College where he obtained his Master Taster Certificate in 2014. Working at a local winery, Thirty Bench, one of the best small wineries in Canada, Tim shared his passion of wines with the customers.

Tim invites you to venture into wine country with him on his guided tour.

Get picked up at your doorstep and enjoy an engaging day at selected local Niagara region wineries arranged through Niagara Vintage Wine Tours. Tim will share his knowledge of local history, culture and cultivation of local wines with an interactive session where you can challenge his knowledge of local wine making. Learn facts like how the wineries determine when to harvest certain varietals of grapes and why certain grapes grow best in different areas around the Niagara region. Tim will tell you about why Niagara grapes are becoming some of the best in the world.

Tim remembers the 1970’s where wines like Baby Duck, Blue Nun and Black Tower were popular on the menu. By the end of the 70’s he remembers bringing home a bottle of Inniskillin Riesling and remarking on how good the Niagara wines were becoming. Through a sales career that involved business lunches and dinners, Tim developed a more refined knowledge of fine, good quality wines, and experimented with pairing food with wine.

Whatever your taste preference, from cheese to chocolate, Tim has a knack for food and wine pairing and can educate you on the finer aspects of wine flavours that can help you make your dinner parties a success. Leave your tour with a better understanding of wine.

NOMADIC

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Plastic Stemless Wine Glasses These unbreakable wonders will have you sipping wine in style no matter where you are!

Add them to your picnic basket, throw them in your backpack, or use them on the dock!

Whiskey Stones Keep your whiskey cool without watering it down!

Whiskey stones can be re-used, and won't change the taste of your favourite libation! Drink up, my friends!

Cottage Party Must-Haves Slushie Machine Slushies are an easy way to turn your favourite alcoholic beverage into a fun and refreshing treat!

Play around with adding frozen juice mixes to your concoctions. The possibilities are endless!

Mixed Drink Dispenser Keep your cool on the patio with a charming drink dispenser! Punch bowls aren't the most practical items when bugs are around, so use a closed drink dispenser to dispense your favourite mixed drinks!

Drink Cooler Warm beer is never pleasant on a hot day. Grab yourself a cooler to keep your drinks nice and cold. They come in so many sizes and styles, you're bound to find one that fits your needs and budget!

e f e i f i L L e g e a g t a t t o t C Co ! t ! s t e s t e n t o n o C C o t o o t ho P Ph Niagara Vintage Wine Tours is giving you the chance to win a Full Day Tour for Two! Send us an email at tours@niagaravintagewinetours.com showing us how you have fun at your cottage, and you'll be entered to win a Full Day Tour for Two with Niagara Vintage Wine Tours!

The draw for the winner will be held on Monday, September 7th (Labour Day).

Some Restrictions Apply: Gift Certificate Terms of Use: Advance booking is required. Please reserve your tour at least two weeks in advance of your desired date. Gift certificate must be presented to guide on the day of your tour. No refunds, not redeemable for cash. All bookings are subject to availability. On occasion we reserve the right to change restaurant and winery venues or wine region. Gift certificate includes all tasting fees, restaurant gratuities and taxes. Does not include beverages at the restaurant or gratuity for your guide.. ALL CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS ARE FINAL-NO CANCELATIONS, NO EXCEPTIONS. Cannot be combined with any other promotions. Seat minimums may apply. Not redeemable on Saturdays from May 15th to November 1st. Open year round.

GIFT IDEAS FOR JUNE

FATHER'S DAY, GRADUATIONS, AND WEDDINGS! By: Rebecca Hare

June is the month of father’s day, college and university graduations and also the kickoff of the wedding season.

We have some ideas for those of you who are still unsure as to what to do for these special people in your life. Whether you're looking for a unique last minute grad or dad gift idea or trying to decide on just the right thing for newlyweds, there are lots of wine-related options to choose from! Here are some suggestions of things you can order from home, some things you have to visit Niagara to experience, and some options that fit into both categories. Sometimes it’s difficult to find the perfect gift idea, but perhaps all you need are a few suggestions to show you what you have been looking for all along!

Celebrate with Wine!

Not going to make it to Niagara before the big day?

There are many online sites that offer unique or custom wine accessories. Do they want to have a cellar stocked with favourites? How about a custom or engraved wine rack or wine fridge to help begin their collection? Maybe they are more the type to enjoy a glass on occasion or with dinner. Items like a unique or personalized corkscrew, creative wine bottle holders, decanters, and wine glass decorations are types of items that can be delivered right to your (or their) door!

Another great idea is a wine club membership! You can order wine online from a local or favourite winery and each membership offers its own unique perks. Many wineries will ship directly to your home.

Just order a few bottles or a case of a preferred wine. Better yet, plan a trip to wine country to pick them up yourself!

How about a day or weekend away in celebration with your (of legal drinking age) graduate or helping plan a trip for a newly married couple? Arrange for them to visit a favourite winery or a winery that is known for their favourite style of wine. Enjoy some tastings or take a tour of the winery. Make it a more professional experience with a professionally guided wine tour that visits a few properties. Niagara’s wine country has so much to offer with many attractions and sights to see. It is also home to farm-to-table fine dining. If you join our tours, you can enjoy a four diamond-rated lunch or dinner paired with some local award winning wines.

Stop in for an Icewine paired with an artisan dessert, or include a food pairing seminar with your wine tasting. Many winery tasting rooms and boutiques in Niagara-on-the-Lake have a selection of wine accessories along with their award-winning wines. They can pick up some accessories and their favourite wines and you can rest assured that they are getting what they want!

Alternatively, you can purchase gift certificates so they can plan their own night or weekend away. Create your own combination gift with a wine club membership and then include a gourmet meal or a wine tour gift certificate so they can visit the wineries of their choice!

You can also purchase a gift certificate or book a night (or two!) at a Bed & Breakfast or luxurious hotel in Niagara Falls or Niagara-on-the-Lake. Look for properties that offer the total package with accommodations, lunch and/or dinner and a wine tour. Conveniently ordered from home, these gifts offer flexibility and an unforgettable experience!

Whether shopping for a newly married couple, a dad, or a graduate, celebrate them with the best that Niagara has to offer. Finding the perfect gift doesn’t have to be hard. With some fabulous restaurants and unparalleled wine country, Niagara is sure to have the gift for any wine lover no matter what their level of wine knowledge. Whether you buy them a tangible gift, or an experience, give them a gift that they can savour!

Red Wine Cocktails!

IT’S PATIO SEASON! GIVE THESE 3 SIMPLE, LIGHT, AND CRISP RED WINE DRINK RECIPES A TRY

Sparkling Red Cocktail There’s nothing like a sparkling cocktail to make you feel refreshed, especially during hot summer days by the pool. This Sparking Red Cocktail offers a stunning combination of red wine and sparkling water, one that’s sure to impress you and all your guests who enjoy a crisp glass of wine!

Ingredients 1 part lemon juice 1 part red wine 1 tsp. honey or a cup of raspberries 1 slice lime Soda water or sparkling water Add lemon juice, red wine, honey or raspberries, and ice to your shaker. Shake well, and serve in a glass with lime as a garnish. Top it off with sparkling water or soda water for a bubbly sensation that is sure to refresh you on a hot summer patio!

Refreshing Summer Sangria A sweet and delicious glass of sangria can really cool you down while relaxing on a patio, especially in the heart of the Niagara region. With so many sangria recipes available at your fingertips, it can be difficult to narrow down your favourite. Luckily, this Refreshing Summer Sangria puts a bubbly and fresh spin on an already delicious combination of flavours.

Ingredients 2 orange slices 2 apple slices ½ brandy ¼ orange liqueur 2 parts red wine 2 parts soda water or sparkling water Fill your glass with ice cubes and add all ingredients. Stir, and serve! That was easy, right? For an even more flavourful sangria that is sure to please you and all your guests, multiply the recipe to serve several people. Add all ingredients to a pitcher, minus the soda water, and allow to chill in the fridge overnight. You can even set aside some fruit to use as a garnish! Next, simply pour over ice and add your sparkling water for a refreshing patio-friendly drink that you and all your friends can sip on!

Red Hot Niagara Summer It’s about to get hot in here! Higher temperatures will send you running for this next recipe. If you enjoy drinks that are less fruity and a little bit stronger, this drink might be for you!

The Red Hot Niagara Summer only requires 3 ingredients and is super simple to make.

Ingredients ¾ red wine ¼ lemon-lime pop 1 lime, sliced

Combine red wine, lemon-lime soda, and 2 lime slices in a glass over ice. Stir well and add a lime wheel as a garnish. Now, grab your drink and head to the patio where you can relax with family and friends!

Winefulness 101

Summer Wine Course

Come learn how to unWINEd with BeWineful’s summer wine and meditation course. Come for one event or all five to learn something new about wine and about yourself. The Best aspects of Meditation and Wine all in one!

Winefulness 101 Summer Series June 29th Winefulness 101 Pondview Estate Winery July 6th Winefulness of Taste Palatine Hills Estate Winery July 13th Story of a Grape Hinterbrook Winery July 20th Aromas, Memory, and Meditation Small Talk Vineyards July 27th Winefulness in the Winery Marynissen Estates Winery

Tickets

$45 Per Event $180 Full Series (Save $45) To Save 20% Use Code NVWT Visit winefulsummer.eventbrite.ca to register For more information visit bewineful.com or Facebook.com/bewineful

NIAGARA VINTAGE WINE REVIEW PUBLISHED BY NIAGARA VINTAGE WINE TOURS INC. CHRIS AND GABRIELA FUCCILLO EDITOR (Creative & Design) — Natalie Worden CONTRIBUTORS: Chris Fuccillo, President & Founder of Niagara Vintage Wine Tours INC Tim Christmas, Niagara Vintage Wine Smart Guide Rebecca Hare, Guest Services and Group Sales, Niagara Vintage Wine Tours

Niagara Vintage Wine Review is a publication under Niagara Vintage Wine Tours, Inc. No part of this publication may be distributed, reproduced or republished in any way without the sole permission of the publishers.

For more information and exclusive content, visit www.niagaravintagewinetours.com.

For inquiries, contact Niagara Vintage Wine Tours at: 1 866 628 5428 info@niagaravintagewinetours.com www.niagaravintagewinetours.com

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