Wineries offering best wines for tastings

Staff at Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery is reaching into the winery's library and pulling out exclusive sold-out white wines for a special tasting this weekend.

The Beamsville winery crew will uncork the few remaining award-winning bottles -- a 2003 Sauvignon Blanc, a 2005 Fume Blanc and a 2006 Fume Blanc -- giving visitors a taste of the same grape variety from different years.

Only the best of Niagara wineries is showcased during the Cuvee weekend, the 21st annual charity event that celebrates Ontario wines.

The Oscar-style ode to Ontario's top wines kicks off with the $200-per-person Cuvee Gala and wine awards Friday night at Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls. Tickets are still available.

Budget-conscience oenophiles can get their Cuvee fix by purchasing a $30 En Route passport, a gateway to tasting some of the best wines from more than 50 wineries. Award-winning wines from the gala will be on sale Saturday and Sunday at the wineries.

"Wineries tend to really go all out for the Cuvee weekend when it comes to the passports," said Norm Beal, president and CEO of Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery and chairman of the Wine Council of Ontario.

"I think this year is no exception."

Beal said his winery wanted to allow consumers a special tasting.

That's the motto of many wineries, which will pour three wines each this weekend. Many wines will be limited edition bottles, unique grape varieties and award winners.

While many other winery passport events in Niagara match food and wine, the Cuvee passport is all about showcasing the wines, said Erin Mitchell, a spokeswoman for the Niagara Community Foundation, which organizes the event.

Organizers realized about four years ago that Cuvee attracted really serious wine lovers, she said.

"We were realizing these were really serious wine purchasers, wine collectors, wine lovers," Mitchell said.

"We just felt sort of a stripped down approach that focused on the best wines people have to pour would be the way to go. We encourage them to pour something special that would go above and beyond."

Tawse Winery in Vineland plans on pouring three wines that showcase some of Niagara's best grape varieties: Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir.

The awards element to the weekend tends to attract more serious wine consumers to the winery, said Jeannie Dubois, hospitality co-ordinator.

For the awards ceremony, winemakers judge the wines of their peers.

"This has a little bit more hype involved, particularly because of the awards ceremony and the gala," Dubois said.

Tickets to the gala event also include the en route passport. The gala will feature the culinary styling of eight chefs and dozens of wines. About 600 tickets have been sold so far.

Last year, the event raised $50,000 for the Niagara Community Foundation, an endowment fund that helps non-profit groups.

- - -

Cuvee 2009

What: A celebration of Ontario wines

When: Feb. 27 to March 1

Events: Cuvee Gala and Awards, Feb. 27. Glitzy black tie event at the Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls honouring some of the best in Ontario wines. Tickets $200 per person, includes Cuvee En Route.

Cuvee En Route, Feb. 27 to March. 1. Tour participating wineries and try special flights of Ontario wines, chosen by winemakers.

Award-winning Cuvee gala wines available for sale Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $30 per person.

Charity: Proceeds go to the Niagara Community Foundation, an endowment fund that helps local non-profit groups.

For more information go to www.cuvee.caor call 905-684- 8688.