So my second day in Canada was dominated by Niagara Riesling. I tagged along with Canadian wine journalists Bill Zacharkiw and John Szabo. We had extensive tastings, first at Vineland, where we did Riesling verticals from Vineland, Tawse, Flat Rock and Cave Spring, and then at Stratus, where we did the same with Strauts, Charles Baker, Chateau des Charmes, Fielding and Trius (formerly known as Hillebrand).

I was amazed. Niagara makes some seriously good Riesling. Most of it is high acid, laser-sharp and intense with a bit of residual sugar. It seems to age well, too. One treat was trying the 1989 Vineland Semi Dry Riesling, a wine that cost $7.95 then, and which is currently $13 for the latest release. A cellar worthy wine for this price? That’s cool. The 1989 has aged beautifully.

In between the two tastings we had a helicopter ride, over the Niagara vineyards and then over the falls. This was great fun.