TRAVELLING IN WINE COUNTRY

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Travelling in Wine Country

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.

Ontario VQA wineries are open!

Many wineries are starting to resume tastings at their vineyards and are excited to welcome you all back. Wineries are taking precautions to keep consumers safe so the tasting experience that you know and love may be different. Please check winery hours and guidelines before visiting (reservations may be required now!), respect physical distancing and hand-washing precautions to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible.

Safe & Welcome in Wine Country

Here are some simple tips to remember to keep everyone safe:

1. Plan Ahead

Planning your visits and reserving your experience is new normal. Winery hours and tasting experiences may be different so call ahead or check the winery website to keep your visit as smooth as possible.

2. Keep it Clean

The best way to keep everyone safe is to stay as clean as possible. Pack your mask, some hand sanitizer and remember to wash your hands often.

3. Look out for New Signage

You will see all kinds of new signage in stores, parking lots, restaurants, washrooms and more. They’re posted to keep everyone safe. Please respect any posted (or in-person) instructions and directions that are being given.

4. Keep your distance

Stay a minimum of 2 metres apart from other guests and staff whenever possible. If that distance is not possible, please wear your mask.

5. Feeling unwell? Stay home please

If you have any signs or symptoms like fever, sore throat, cough, etc., or have been in contact with anyone with those symptoms, please stay home and plan to come back another time.

6. Patience, please.

As we all adjust to these new guidelines and protocols please remember that we are all doing our best, but wait times and service levels may be affected.

7. Support Local VQA!

Even if you can’t get to your favourite winery, remember most are also open for online purchases and curbside pickup.

Remember that you can still enjoy VQA Wines of Ontario at home! Purchase VQA wines online direct from the winery or through LCBO online. Please check individual winery websites to know if you can pick up bottles of your favourite wine at the winery, many are even offering free shipping at this time. Please ask the winery for conditions and restrictions.

Connect with us on Facebook (@WineCountryOntario) and Instagram (@WineCountryOnt) for recipes, wine pairings and more.

1

PLAN YOUR DAY

Do your research before you arrive. Use the maps in the Guide to plan a route, but don’t try to cover too much ground on one trip. Plant to visit about 4 or 5 wineries with a stop or lunch at one of the many restaurants. You can always come back!

2

TASTE RESPONSIBLY

Wine is a beautiful thing but it is still alcohol – choose a designated driver or arrange for a hired car. You also don’t have to swallow every drop. Use the spittoons in the tasting room to dispose of any unwanted wine. Finally, make sure to taste some of the delicious food available en route so you are not tasting on an empty stomach.

3

PRESERVE YOUR PALATE

Avoid the use of any scents (perfumes or colognes) and steer clear of spicy food or chewing gum so as not to compromise your palate. Star with lighter-bodied wnes such as sparkling and white wines and then move to rosés and fuller-bodied red wines.

4

BE CURIOUS

Ontario Winemakers are passionate about their craft and they enjoy sharing the fruits of their labour, so don’t hesitate to ask questions about what you are tasting. By its very nature wine is meant to generate conversation, so don’t be shy!.

5

LOVE IT? BUY IT?

Most of the wineries are small independent businesses so the wines you taste here may not be available at your local liquor or grocery store. Take this opportunity to purchase on-site directly from the producer. You can also inquire about delivery and wine club services to enjoy VQA wines, regularly delivered to your doorstep..

The Wine-tasting Experience

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!

Travelling with kids

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.

Travelling with pets

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.