There is so much to discover in VQA Ontario Wine Country. Each of our regions offers enticing wines and tempting tastes – but so much more. Whether you are looking for an active adventure, a cultural excursion or the solace of a relaxing rural retreat, we have exactly what you are looking for. Download our Wine Country Ontario Travel Guide or map using the links above to get started, and keep in mind these handy tips to make the most of your time in Wine Country.
Do your research. Find the wineries that interest you and then use our maps or trip planner to plan your route. Don’t try to cover too much ground. Try 4 or 5 wineries, with a stop for lunch at one of their many restaurants.
Wine is a beautiful thing but it is still alcohol, so be realistic about the amount you expect to taste. Choose a designated driver or hire one of our tour companies to drive you around. You also don’t have to swallow every drop – tasting rooms have spittoons to dispose of wine you don’t want to drink. Finally, make sure to eat a hearty breakfast and snake n route, so you’re not tasting on an empty stomach.
By its very nature wine is meant to generate conversation. So, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the releases that you’re tasting. Ontario winemakers are passionate about their craft and they enjoy the prospect of sharing the fruits of their labour with an appreciative audience.
The wines you taste in Ontario Wine Country are not necessarily available through a retail outlet, so take the opportunity to purchase on site directly from the producer. And travel with a cooler, especially during the summer months, so you can properly store the purchased wine to protect it from exposure to the sun and heat in the vehicle. You can also inquire about delivery services and wine clubs.
Wine tasting is fun so there is no need to feel intimidated! This is your time to discover the wines that you enjoy so there are no wrong answers – experiment and trust your own palate. Winery staff are experts and they’re happy to answer any of your questions and tell their stories. To help you get ready for your visit, here are some basics for approaching the bar:
Avoid wearing strong fragrances
Perfume or cologne – even heavily scented skin or hair products – can interfere with the aromas of the wine, making it difficult for you, and those around you, to fully appreciate what you’re sampling.Be prepared to pay for the tasting
Wineries often price their tastings based on the cost of the wine, and those that make their top-tier offerings available to sample will likely charge accordingly. Some, but not all, wineries waive or refund the tasting-bar fee if you buy a bottle of wine.Cleanse your palate
It is important to cleanse your palate before/between wines (with a sip of water or a cracker). This will “reset” your taste buds, so the flavours of the different wines won’t overlap.Taste the wines in order of strength
Sparkling to white to red to dessert, sweetness (dry to sweet) and age (young to old)..Otherwise, the stronger and sweeter wines will overpower the lighter and drier ones. If you’re taking part in a guided tasting, the winery will choose the order for you. If you’re at a tasting bar, just ask the attendant to help you with the order.Appreciate each wine by sight, smell and taste (in that order)
Think about it as starting from the top of your head and working your way down: eyes to nose to mouth.
Feel free to swish the wine in your mouth or quietly gargle it
You may feel silly, but a wine will only reveal its full complexity when it’s mingled with oxygen. Decanting it and swirling it in a glass will also serve this purpose.Spitting is sometimes advisable - and it’s always acceptable
If you plan to sample a large number of wines on your tour, it’s best to spit (into communal or personal spittoons) after you’ve sipped each one. Otherwise, the alcohol will begin to affect your judgment after a while.Even if you don’t spit, you don’t have to finish each wine
The point of a tasting is to sample the wine, and this can be done with just an ounce or two. Once you’ve tasted to your satisfaction, leave what’s left in the glass and move on if you’d like. Believe us, wineries expect this – you won’t hurt anyone’s feelings.When describing the bouquet and flavours of a wine, don’t be afraid to guess
Everyone’s palate is different. The aromas and flavours that you detect may differ from those recognized by others – there is no right or wrong.Finally, remember that you don’t have to like everything!
A wine may be well made and critically acclaimed, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to like it best. Wine appreciation is a personal thing. If everyone preferred the same flavours, we wouldn’t have the great range of wines -varietals and blends alike – that we enjoy in Ontario. Trust your taste buds!If you’re travelling with small children, rest assured that many of our wineries offer activities and alternatives for young visitors – such as non-alcoholic beverages to drink, colouring books and crayons to use, and sports equipment (like soccer balls and bocce sets) to play with.
Outside the wineries themselves, each region features parks, restaurants, shops and events that cater to every member of the family, regardless of age.
When planning your itinerary, contact each winery first to see if they offer child-friendly activities (or look for the ones that have playground equipment on site). That way, you can ensure that everyone enjoys their wine-country experience.
Four-legged family members are always welcome in Wine Country, and with countless parks, trails and public gardens, they’re sure to enjoy themselves – and get some exercise. Unfortunately, due to health regulations, animals are not permitted to enter wine-production facilities. But some wineries do allow visitors to bring leashed or carried pets into their tasting rooms and retail stores.
Each establishment sets its own pet policy, so be sure to call ahead and ask about it if you’re planning to bring any furry friends along.
