Depending on the occasion here are a few of my Lake Erie North Shore and Pelee Island wine recommendations for Valentine’s Day.

A sparkling wine is good for any occasion. It’s light, refreshing, and pairs well with just about anything. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on Champagne either. Two local wineries recently released sparkling wines. Colio Estate Winery’s Frizzante ($9.75)  and Pelee Island Winery’s Secco ($15.75) should be considered.

Looking for a white wine? Consider picking up a Riesling or Auxerrois.  These wines are normally light and do not need a meal to be appreciated.  I recommend the following local white wines for Valentine’s Day.

Riesling

• Sprucewood Shores Riesling 2009 (12.95)
• CREW (Colchester Ridge Estate Winery) Riesling 2009 ($14)
• Sanson Riesling 2008 ($14.95)

Auxerrois

• Viewpointe Auxerrois 2008 ($14.95)

Or get the best of both from Smith & Wilson’s Vista del Lago 2009 ($13) It’s a deliciously crafted blend of Auxerrois and Riesling.

Red wines are all about romance. They can be rich, lush, sexy, and perfect for sharing with your Valentine.  The choice for reds is extensive, and really depends on your personal taste.

If you are looking for a big red with lots of body go for a Cabernet Sauvignon. Pairs well with beef too. Consider Muscedere Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 ($30). It shows incredible balance and complexity. Pair with beef steak or lambs for a real treat.

Pinot Noir is lighter, and a bit more earthy red wine that should also be considered. I often found Pinot Noir a bit too light and missing something until I discovered Pelee Island’s Alvar Pinot Noir 2008 ($14.95). This one has been blended with a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon giving the wine more body and structure.

The most important thing to remember as you celebrate Valentine’s Day with your love is to have fun and enjoy yourself  and enjoy the food, wine and conversation.

Wineries
Aleksander Estate Winery
Colchester Ridge Estates
Colio Estate Wines
D’Angelo Estate Winery
Erie Shore Vineyard
Mastronardi Estate Winery
Muscedere Vineyards
Pelee Island Winery
Sprucewood Shores
Viewpointe Estate Winery

September 9th (Thursday)
•Pat Robitaille
•Steven Page
•Sloan

September 10th (Friday)
•Winemakers Dinner
•Thornetta Davis
•Fireworks 10 pm

September 11th (Saturday)
•Culinary Demos
1:00pm – Patrick McClary, Caesar’s Windsor, Culinary Delight: TBD
2:00pm – Elizabeth Baird, Canadian Living Magazine, Culinary Delight: Fennel Salad
3:00pm – Rose Murray, Canadian Living Magazine, Culinary Delight: TBD
4:00pm – Doug Cordier, Channel 5 “Who’s in the Kitchen”, Culinary Delight: Super Simple Italian Delights.

•Local Vine Pavilion
12:30pm – Wayne Bentley, Riedel Glass Wine Tasting
2:00pm – Tony Aspler (How to Enjoy a Glass of Wine — From Pulling the Cork to Imbibing!)
3:30pm – Thomas O’Brien / Michael O’Brien – Cooper’s Hawk Vineyard (Essex County Terroir)
4:00pm – Book Signing with Tony Aspler and Rose Murray

•StereoGoesStellar
•Blood Sweat & Brass
•Antique Show

September 12th (Sunday)
•Culinary Demos
1:00pm – Chuck Koury, Seasons Bistro, Culinary Delight: TBD
2:00pm – Tim Dimoglou, Chanosos, Culinary Delight: TBD
3:00pm – Harrow Fair Cookbook with Moira Sanders and Lori Elstone, Culinary Delight: Peach Ice Cream and Fresh Raspberry Sauce
4:00pm – Mary Ann Marshall, Viewpoint Estate Winery, Culinary Delight: TBD

•Local Vine Pavilion
2:00pm – Thomas O’Brien / Michael O’Brien (Essex County Terroir)

•Pavlo / Rik Emmett / Oscar Lopez
•Kimmie Horne
•Antique Show

For tickets please call: 519-326-2024

Ticket price: $35.00 plus tax

The event will include food, wine, and an introduction to our universe by a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. During the event we will have numerous telescopes present for an opportunity to gaze up at the stars and planets.

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada has dedicated most of its effort on reaching out to the local community, offering public education and a way for to enjoy the wonders of the night sky.

For more information please contact Nathalie at 519-326-2024 or by email at info@aleksanderestate.com

The Carlo Negri (covered) pavilion next to the Vidal Blanc vineyard is the location for a fine afternoon of jazz. Tickets include winery tour & tasting, luncheon and performance. Tours offered at 1pm & 2pm.
You can bring a blanket and lounge by the vineyard while you savour a glass of fine wine and listen to the cool tunes of The Ray Manzerolle trio. Ray is accompanied by Mike Karloff (piano) and Gene Dunlap (drums). This trio performs classical jazz standards as well as a selection of original compositions. Their music has been described as elegant, earthy, molodic and soulful.

Wine is available for purchase throughout the afternoon at $5 cash (per 5oz glass). Retail winery boutique will be open for shopping. Colio now has a selection of five artisan cheeses, wine jellies and crackers available for purchase.

Luncheon catered by: Jeff Wright’s To Your Kitchen

Erie Shore Vineyard and Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery have plans for your Sunday’s this summer.

Every Sunday during July and August, in the At Erie Shore Vineyard pavilion enjoy talented local musicians while taking in the Erie Shore lake breezes, vineyard view and wine by the glass.

The pavillion will be open between from 12-5pm, music from 2-4pm every Sunday. Cost will be a donation to local musicians and wine wll be available to purchase by the glass.

Just down the road at Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery, they will have live entertainment on the patio and grass overlooking beautiful Lake Erie and cooking demonstrations begining at noon. Featured entertainment every Sunday between 12 – 4PM. There is no charge for this. Wine by the glass, food samples, and picnic baskets will be available for purchase every Sunday starting July 4th and ending September 13th

Support of a Digital Ultrasound System for ICU, Windsor Regional Hospital.
5:00 – 9:00 pm
Dinner at 6:00 pm

Dinner by To Your Kitchen Gourmet Cuisine by Jeff Wright
Erie Shore Vineyard Pavilion

$25/person – BBQ Meal and 1 glass of Wine

Silent Auction
Entertainment by Victoriouss Productions DJ Service

Tickets available at Erie Shore Vineyard
Cary Bedard, ICU x52787 or
Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation Office x 52656

Advance ticket sales only, please call 519-738-9800.

We look forward to seeing you!

Becky Allan,
Sales Representative.

CREW – Colchester Ridge Estate Winery
Tel: 519-738-9800
info@colchesterridge.com
www.colchesterridge.com

Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 6:00pm – Midnight 
Location: Mastronardi Estate Winery

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO, A DOUBLE HEADER SHOW ON THE VINEYARDS OF MASTRONARDI ESTATE WINERY

And we are pleased to announce that this year’s concert will feature the 2010 Juno nominated amazing guitar Trio P.R.O. – “Pavlo, Rik Emmet, and Oscar Lopez!”

Their album “Trifecta” has been Juno nominated for “Best Instrumental Album of the Year”. Their incredible music chemistry, described as “Mediterranean Magic, Triumphant Fusion & Hot Latin Fire”, was born out of the joy, respect and friendship found in the making of great music! Three artists from widely different backgrounds have forged an intense cultural melting pot of their unique styles. Check out pavlorikoscar.com for more information.

-AND-

Pavlo returns with his world class band to perform the road show edition of Mediterranean Nights which has now been seen by millions of people across North America on both PBS and Bravo.

Of course, the party continues with the retro-alternative music of Last Minute…

Tickets are ON SALE NOW!!! And we are ALREADY 25% Sold. Call 519-733-WINE (519-733-9463) to guarantee your seats or buy online… VIP tickets and Hotel Packages are available in limited quantities.

More details can be found by downloading our spring newsletter here: http://www.mastronardiwines.com/newsletters/springsummer2010.pdf

Tickets can be purchased here:  http://www.mastronardiwines.com/estore/estore.php

***PROCEEDS OF EVENT TO BENEFIT BATTEN DISEASE RESEARCH***

Thursday, May 20, 2010

7:00pm – 9:30pm

The Caboto Club

2175 Parent Avenue

Windsor, ON

Windsor Regional Hospital hosted the All Canadian Wine Championship Passport to Canada public tasting for the first time in 2007. It was a new partnership with the All Canadian Wine Championships (ACWC) that takes place annually in the City of Windsor.

Canadian Wineries are invited to submit their wines for consideration. Wine writers, sommeliers and industry experts judge the wines and award trophies and medals that earn them bragging rights and marketing opportunities.

After the judging, approximately 750 wines were donated by the ACWC for a tasting as a fundraising opportunity, and to showcase the country’s best wines. The evening held at the Caboto was a resounding success – wines paired with artisinal cheeses, silent and wine auctions!

The 2010 event will support the Cornerstone of Caring Campaign for Western Campus Redevelopment. The project includes a complete renovation of the Regional Rehabilitation Program in the Tower Building, construction of a new 65 bed Mental Health Hospital and the creation of a 30,000 square foot Healing Garden.

Contact Danielle for more information
Phone: 519-254-5577 x 52656
Email: danielle_ramsten@wrh.on.ca

Visit www.canadianwinetrial.com or http://www.wrh.on.ca for the latest information and more details.
Entertainment by: Leah Harris Jazz Trio
Tickets: $30.00 each OR $25.00 each for groups of 4

Hours:
Thursday – 6 pm – Midnight
Friday – 5 pm- midnight
Saturday- 4pm – midnight

Cost: $15.00 per person

Location: Windsor Expo Center
1508 Walker Road
Windsor, ON