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  • What to Expect at a Wine Tasting 🍷
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What to Expect at a Wine Tasting 🍷

The County is home to more than 40 wineries, most with tasting rooms where you can sip samples of what’s for sale, and some with cellars where – if you’re lucky – you can barrel taste with the winemaker. Compared to other wine regions in Ontario, and Canada, The County’s vineyards tend to be smaller and the tasting experience more intimate. Whether you’re filling your glass in a converted barn, bright modern building, dark cellar, or straw-bale structure, here’s how to prepare for your first foray into the Prince Edward County VQA.*

Wine with a view at By Chadsey’s Cairns

From Bubbles to Burgundy

The tasting room host will likely ask you to choose all of your tastings at once. This isn’t to force a quick decision, it’s so they can pour for you in an order that builds rather than dominates. The tasting menu is often set up this way, prompting you to pick in a logical order. They’ll likely pour from light to sweet to age, with lighter, fruitier wines first and more bold flavours last.

Alex from Trail Estate Winery explains the wines | Photo Credit: Daniel Vaughan

Sip and Savour

Keep in mind that wine experts suggest tasting a wine first with your eyes, then your nose and then your mouth. So go slow, pick up the glass, give it a swish and a sniff and you’ll be well on your way.

Ask as many questions as you like – tasting room staff have been trained to understand the process of growing, harvesting, bottling and fermenting the grapes and they’re happy to be asked sincere questions. In busier months, you’ll likely need to share them and their expertise, so don’t be afraid to eavesdrop and add to the conversation.

Also, be prepared to pay for your tasting. Some, but not all, wineries will waive a tasting fee with the purchase of wine. Be sure to ask about pricing up front and be prepared to spend anywhere from $1 to $3 per sample.

wine tasting nose swish

Mother-daughter wine growing and making duo Caroline and Maggie of The Grange of Prince Edward | Photo Credit: Johnny C.Y. Lam

“A nose of… melted pine needles and burnt toast?”

The wine world has a lot of words, from “nose” (the wine’s bouquet) to “legs” (the amount of alcohol trickling down the sides of a swished glass) to “plonk” (that stuff you drank in college, when you couldn’t afford any better). There’s an entire glossary worth of descriptors covering everything from a wine’s acidity to its balance, or how well the alcohol, acidity, tannin and sweetness are working together. The terminology could set one’s head spinning, never mind the actual wine.

So don’t be afraid to take a leap when describing a wine’s flavour. Everyone’s palate is different and what stands out for you may be too subtle for others to notice. Your tasting room host will likely prompt you to watch for one taste or another – and if they’ve said something you don’t understand, ask them about it. Soon you’ll be riffing on moody cherry notes and hints of citrus like an absolute poet. Here’s how to look like a pro!

Cheers! | Photo Credit: Johnny C.Y. Lam

Prepare to Pair

Curious which wine would go best with your double-cream brie? Spicy curry? Salt ‘n vinegar chips? Some wineries invite you to explore the world of pairings between wine and food with strategically chosen small samples that accompany your tasting. Be sure to ask if pairings are available and the cost associated.

Looking for something a little more substantial? Scope out wineries with on-site kitchens or catering to help you fuel up along the way.

Leave What You Like

You don’t have to spit. Once you’ve fully tasted a wine, you can leave what you don’t want in the glass. This is true even when the wine is a winner. You’ll likely be tasting a lot over the day, so feel free to leave a little in the glass if you’d rather enjoy it later, in a deck chair, with a big block of cheese. Hate to see good wine go to waste? Let the tasting room staff know you’d prefer a smaller pour.

Swish, sniff, sip. | Photo Credit: Daniel Vaughan

Give it a Second Glance

The beauty of The County’s viticulture is that it’s still evolving. As the vines become more established, their flavours change. So if the wines at a particular vineyard don’t appeal to you one year, try it again the next. There are so many factors that can influence a wine’s taste, from its colour, sugar, acidity and tannins to the growing conditions of the grapes to the amount of skin contact during fermentation, the blend with other grapes, and the type of cellaring it’s received. Try not to write off a wine – the next vintage could be your favourite.

Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water, especially if you’re cycling from winery to winery. Avoid heading back to your B&B and sinking into a warm bath. The combination of wine, too little water and all that heat will have you on the floor. Trust me.

While you’re at it, ensure you’ve got a designated driver or arrange to participate in a wine tour that shuttles you to and from tastings rooms – most even offer pick-up and drop-off service to your accommodations.

Ready to get tasting? Download the Prince Edward County Winegrowers Association guide to start tour planning, and consider attending The County’s one-stop-shop for wine sampling:

*VQA stands for “Vintners Quality Alliance.” In Ontario, it’s the independent authority that establishes and monitors theΒ Β β€œappellation of origin” system, which defines grape-growing regions and sets standards for the wines produced there. Bottles labelled as VQA Prince Edward County contain mostly grapes grown here.

Content Updated March 2019

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Visit The County is the DMMO for #PrinceEdwardCounty, a rural community bursting with creative talent & natural stunners.

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🍁 Maple in The County is back! 🍁 Maple seas 🍁 Maple in The County is back! 🍁

Maple season is in full swing and the celebrations in Prince Edward County will culminate in the long-awaited return of Maple in The County from March 25-26, 2023. Featuring 5 local sugarbushes and a host of local businesses, Maple in The County is a wonderful outing for the whole family. Come on out to tour a sap house, enjoy a pancake breakfast, walk through the maple woods, and so much more. Head to mapleinthecounty.ca for more information and to plan your Maple in The County route! 

Participating Sugarbushes: 

Sweetwater Cabin / Hubbs Sugarbush
Fosterholm Farms
Vader's Maple Syrup @vadersmaple 
Roblin's Maple Syrup @roblins.maple 
Loha Farms @lohafarms 

πŸ“· by Ramesh Pooran of the Wellington Times

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #mapleinthecounty
🌱 Spring Countylicious 🌱 Countylicious is b 🌱 Spring Countylicious 🌱

Countylicious is back for spring from April 12 - May 1, 2023! Come out to The County for three weeks of prix fixe dining at restaurants you know, love, and have been dying to try. Stay tuned as we reveal menus and gift card giveaway from all 16 participating restaurants: 

@flameandsmith 
@7numberspicton 
@bloomfieldpublichouse 
@555brewingco 
@parsonsbrewing 
@pastaonesta 
@theroyalhotelpicton 
@TheWaringHouse 
@DrakeDevonshire 
@MerrillHouse1879 
@JacksonsFallsCountryInn 
@BocadoPEC 
@MatronFineBeer 
@StellasEatery 
@HartleysTavern 
@waupoosestatesrestaurant 

Head to http://countylicious.ca/ today to start planning your Countylicious experience.

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #Countylicious
🍁 Maple & More 🍷 Wondering what to do in Th 🍁 Maple & More 🍷

Wondering what to do in The County this March? Check out our latest blog for a round-up of everything you can see and do this month, from indulging in maple treats at local sugar bushes and eateries with @maplemadnesspec  and @mapleinthecounty, to tasting wines at the inaugural Γ‰levage: PEC Winter Wine Festival hosted by @pecwine , and everything in between. We've also included a preview of what you can expect next month (hint: it's de-LICIOUS πŸ˜‰).

Link in bio πŸ‘†

Image description: Sweetwater Cabin at Hubbs Sugar Bush, Maple in The County participant, taken by Karen Palmer. Above the image is a banner which reads "Experience Maple & More in The County this March." 

 #PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #MapleInTheCounty #MapleMadnessPEC #elevagepec #pecwine #MarchinTheCounty
🍷 Γ‰levage: PEC Winter Wine Festival 🍷 Want 🍷 Γ‰levage: PEC Winter Wine Festival 🍷

Want the chance to tour through 7 Prince Edward County winery venues while tasting wine and cider from 21 local producers?

Want to experience culinary delights from local chefs that showcase the winter cooking techniques integral to Canadian food culture?

Join us for Γ‰levage hosted by @pecwine on March 11-12, 2023 and celebrate winter in wine country.

For more information and to purchase tickets, head to the link in our bio πŸ‘†
❀️ PEC is for Lovers ❀️⁠ ⁠ Valentine's ❀️ PEC is for Lovers ❀️⁠
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Valentine's Day is almost here! Whether you're spending the day itself in PEC or you're joining us for a romantic weekend getaway, there's plenty happening this weekend to help make for a memorable stay with your love (or your bff, we're here for platonic love too)! ⁠
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πŸŽ™οΈ Enjoy Dinner and a Show on Saturday night at @KarloEstates with The Bees Knees, which includes a vegan meal and wine pairings, or start your weekend with Tasty Trivia ⁠
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πŸ–ΌοΈ Head to @oenogallery for their latest exhibition, "Conversations" and then have a conversation about your experience over a wine tasting @huffestateswine. ⁠
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🍽️ This weekend, enjoy early Valentine's Day meals at @adegapec, @wandertheresort, @flameandsmith, @grangewinery, @7numberspicton,  @the_blue_sail_seafood_company, and @TheWaringHouse. ⁠
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🧘 Start your Valentine's Day weekend with a refresh at @bodymatrixpec with Acu-Detox+Yoga.⁠
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🍫 Attend a chocolate-making workshop @shedchetwynfarms (limited spaces remain). ⁠
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πŸ’ƒπŸ» Dance your way to Valentine's day on February 11 at @thewaringhouse and on February 13 at @stellaseatery. ⁠
⁠
🍳 Go for brunch at @jacksonsfallscountryinn, @bermudapec, @parsonsbrewing, @karloestates, and many more delicious spots.⁠
⁠
πŸ§€ Have a cheesy day with a visit to @lighthallvineyards for Raclette Sunday. ⁠
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🏈 If football is your love language, spend Super Bowl Sunday in PEC at @555brewingco, @princeeddysbrewing, and @thecountycanteen.⁠
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❀️ On Valentine's Day itself experience special menus at @bloomfieldpublichouse, @creekside_cafe_pec, and @theroyalhotelpicton. ⁠
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πŸ“·οΈ Thanks to @OntarioTravel and @rto9_on⁠
Image Description: Two women, a couple, smile at each other while clinking glasses of white and red wine together at Adega in Consecon, PEC. ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
πŸ” Burger it Forward πŸ”β  ⁠ This month, enj πŸ” Burger it Forward πŸ”β 
⁠
This month, enjoy the signature burger at four participating restaurants in Prince Edward County and do some good. With each burger sold as part of the #BurgerItForward campaign, @lovecdnbeef will donate will donate the equivalent of 1 meal to Food Banks Canada. ⁠
⁠
πŸ” At @creekside_cafe_pec in Wellington check out their Creekside Burger, a 4 oz Local Beef Patty with Caramelized Onions, Tang Sauce, Garlic Aioli, Bread & Butter Pickles, and Cheddar Cheese. ⁠
⁠
πŸ” Head to @theacousticgrill to enjoy The Acoustic Jam, a an 8 oz Angus Beef Patty with Fresh Tomato, Greens, Onion, Horseradish Mayonnaise, Roasted Corn Salsa, and Caramelized Onions served on a Toasted Bakery Bun.⁠
⁠
πŸ” Head to @theroyalhotelpicton for The Royal Burger, which features a Canadian Beef Patty, Cheddar Cheese, Shallot Butter, Rosemary Ketchup, and Aioli.⁠
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πŸ”  And finally at @thewaringhouse you'll find The County Burger, an 8 oz 100% Brisket Patty topped with Canadian Cheddar, Crispy Bacon, Canadian Maple Syrup, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Pickle and Homemade Chipotle Mayo Sauce served on a Brioche Bun.⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
β˜•οΈ Take a Coffee (or Cocoa) Break β˜•οΈβ 
⁠
It's a chilly one this weekend! When you need some relief from the cold, why not head inside for a bit of a winter warmer at a local café! Luckily, The County has lots of options for you and your kiddos to get warm with a coffee, hot chocolate or tea: ⁠
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🧸 Speaking of kids, if you have them you definitely want to head to @beaconbikebrew in Picton where their kid-friendly play area is perfect to keep them entertained while you relax with a brew. But thei café menu is ideal for big kids too! ⁠
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β˜•οΈ Also in Picton you’ll find @misslilyscafe, the @thebeancountercafe, and @LusoBites, where you’ll find a whole host of delicious Portuguese delights (including pastel de nata!) alongside a large coffee menu. You can also pop into @theroyalhotelpicton for a warm drink alongside a memorable cannoli. ⁠
⁠
πŸ«– If tea is more your speed, don’t miss @SavonDuBois, whose apothecary is sure to provide the perfect remedy to a chilly day. ⁠
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🍡 Other spots to warm up throughout The County include @BloomfieldPublicHouse and @BloomfieldBeautyCo, @GOODPlacePEC, and @PiccolinaMercato and @demorestvillecafe_convenience. (Honourable mention to @ConseconHoneyHouseCafe who are currently hibernating like the bees, but will be back again soon.)⁠
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Image description: A young child plays with toys on the kid-friendly green carpet Beacon Bike+Brew. Their mother is on the floor with him, coffee in hand. ⁠
Image by OneLook⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #WinterinPEC
❄️ A Winter Bucket List for PEC ❄️⁠ ⁠ ❄️ A Winter Bucket List for PEC ❄️⁠
⁠
We're going to let you in on one of our best-kept secrets: winter in Prince Edward County. Sure, it's colder and quieter, but for us those are just added benefits that make for some unforgettable experiences. For the uninitiated that may need some convincing, so head to our blog to discover our complete bucket list for an incredible winter experience in The County.⁠
⁠
Link in bio πŸ‘†οΈβ 
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Note: this bucket list might not be accomplished in a single weekend getaway, but maybe that calls for making a PEC winter getaway a tradition. Or better yet, book a longer stay to enjoy a whole week of winter fun in The County. Discover unique and luxurious accommodations on our website at visitthecounty.com/stay⁠
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