Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/809166
with fantastic views of Lake Ontario, and the opportunity to visit the tasting rooms afterwards. They host live jazz nights too ( www.megalomaniacwine.com ). SIPPING AND SAVOURING It's not surprising that the culinary scene and the wineries of Niagara now rival the Falls in popularity. Year-round, visitors can tour, taste and feast at the many easily accessed wineries. In winter, visitors can "chill" at the Ice Wine Festival. You haven't really experienced a "Nuit Blanche" until you have dined in the icy (but heated!) white tents set up on the streets of Niagara-on-the-Lake on a chilly winter evening ( www.niagarawinefestival.com). Be one of the fi rst to try this year's wines at the Niagara New Vintage Festival, and indulge your love of fi ne white wines at the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration, or i4C, in July ( www.coolchardonnay.org). Companies like Crush on Niagara Wine Tours off er visits to the vineyards ( www.crushtours.com ), while Zoom Leisure Bikes organizes cycling tours (www.zoomleisure.com ). Another attractive option is the Niagara Helicopters wine tour where you can fl y over the Falls and then take in the vineyards by air, landing at a local winery for a tour and tasting or a gourmet meal ( www.niagara helicopters.com ). WINES WITH ALTITUDE It's easy to do your own individual tasting tour as most wineries are well-signed and an excellent self-touring map allows you to choose between large establishments JOURNEY BEHIND THE FALLS • SHUTTERSTOCK/NICK STARICHENKO FLORAL SHOWHOUSE • NIAGARA PARKS OF HALL FAME 905 356 8888 birdkingdom.ca ON 92