Wine. Food. Music. All at the Coolest Chardonnay Celebration in the World.
It’s summer in the city. Even though weather experts are calling for one of the hottest summer on record, it couldn’t be cooler in Niagara.
On July 20 – 22, Ontario’s largest wine region will again play host the International Cool Climate Celebration, or, i4c for short.
Taking inspiration from Oregon’s now famed Pinot Camp, this global festival of cool climate Chardonnay draws 55 wineries from 14 regions around the globe, including New Zealand, Chile, France, the US, and of course, Canada — Niagara, Prince Edward County and British Columbia all have numerous wineries representing the Great White North.
Not bad for only Year Two of the event. At last year’s inaugural bash, more than 600 people came out to the weekend long party to sip, sample and swirl their way through some of the most exciting Chardonnays in the world.
“[Cool climate Chardonnay is] mineral, it’s complex, it’s refreshing, it’s sleek,” says Stephen Gash, i4c’s Vice Chair of Marketing. “After the 1980’s, for some people Chardonnay became a bit passe. This [event] will raise the specter of how people view Chard.”
The celebration kicks off Friday night at Jackson Triggs with an outdoor party featuring the Juno award winning band The Arkells. Saturday is jammed with dozens of events including eight different wine makers lunches and an afternoon chardonnay “bootcamp” for true die-hards.
The Big-Ticket event happens Saturday night: the Chardonnay World Tour Tasting & Celebrate Canada Dinner, the weekend’s premier party. More than 600 wine critics, writers and enthusiasts will fill the gardens at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, sampling more than 100 wines from around the globe, while getting the chance to chat with the winemakers. Seven Ontario chefs will be on hand creating a delicious al fresco dinner, and the night wraps up with a sparkling wine bar and dancing to live music under the stars.
“This event weekend has been styled for the wine lover and the food lover,” says Gash, noting that tickets are priced per event so visitors can pick and choose their own itineraries. For anyone worried this may be an uptight wine event, Gash is clear the emphasis is on relaxed, not rigid.
“The beauty of Niagara is that [from Toronto] you’re one hour away from standing in a vineyard, but while you’re here you can feel like you are very far away.”
Want to attend the Chardonnay World Tour Tasting with The Wine Sisters?
We’re going to the premier party and taking 20 people with us!
Saturday, July 21
- Leave Toronto 4:45pm via luxury coach
- Arrive in Niagara 6pm – Wander out on your own or stay with us as we taste our way through more than 100 global Chardonnays, and taste some amazing local Chefs’ creations!
- 11pm depart Niagara
- Midnight arrive back in Toronto
Cost $325 (includes admission to the event, transportation, and all taxes)
Can’t wait til i4c to try some award winning local Chardonnay?
These will be poured at 14c and are available now!
Inniskillin “Winemaker’s Series” Montague Vineyard Chardonnay, VQA Niagara Peninsula, 2010
Vintages 586347 $12.95
This took gold at the Ontario Wine Awards. Rich and plush with flavours of tropical fruit, butterscotch and baking spice. Try with mushroom-stuffed pork tenderloin, BBQ salmon, or butter poached lobster.
Henry of Pelham “Family Estate” Cuveé Catharine Brut, VQA Niagara Peninsula, NV
Vintages 616441 $29.95
Taking silver at the Ontario Wine Awards, this bubbly is tight and focused with orchard fruit, zesty citrus and steely minerality.
Vineland Estates Unoaked Chardonnay, VQA Niagara Peninsula, 2011
LCBO 669374 $12.95
Bronze medal winner, this is medium bodied with fresh acidity and flavours of mineral, lemon and Granny Smith apple. Try with spicy grilled shrimp or raw oysters.