I was up in Prince Edward County a few weeks ago and tried some wines. Not too bad! It was cool seeing the vineyard practices up there at this time of year with the much cooler climate than Niagara and how all the vineyards had their vines (trunk and the potential canes that would be kept after pruning) buried in soil to protect the buds from the harsh winter. That was neat.

Here are some wineries I would recommend for tastings during your visit.

St. Catharines:

Henry of Pelham
13th Street Winery

Jordan:

Cave Springs Cellars
Calamus Estate Winery
Tawse Winery

Beamsville:

Fielding Estates Winery
Hidden Bench Winery
Malivoire

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Peller Estates
Stratus
Lailey
Coyote's Run Estate Winery

If you're a fan of crisp, German-style Riesling, and spicy Gewürztraminer, you need to add Konzelmann Estate Winery to your list!

I finally made it to the booze store to peruse the bubblies and after all the recommendations I chose... none of them. Could not find one.

I think I did OK though. I briefly considered the $264 French champagne because, well, who wouldn't like to drink a $264 bottle of wine, but common sense got the better of me.

I remember somebody mentioning something about Spain so when I found the Neveran Perles Roses I figured I couldn't go wrong. The tasting notes were interesting and it did rate a respectable 89.

The second is a bottle from the Alsace. A Ruhlman Crement, D'Alsace. It has this nifty little sticker on it that says Concours 2011 MEDAILLE D'OR Colmar. While my French is not very good, I'm pretty sure it does not say Lump of Coal Award.

I'll let you know how they taste.

BTW, for an interesting change at Thanksgiving, I poured 2/3s champagne to 1/3 Cranberry wine (a Muskoka classic - they grow in Bala) and it was really lovely - tasty with Turkey and beautiful on the table.