Nature’s Fury… Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Nature’s Fury… Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
By Bill Milligan
In 1893 Niagara Falls began diverting water from the Canadian side of the Niagara River, establishing its first hydroelectric generating plant (2,200 kilowatt). Now with three major hydroelectric plants, the Niagara region shares energy with nature and tourism. Originating in Lake Erie, this river begins its wild 35 mile descent to Lake Ontario, dropping 99 meters (300 feet), with much of the spectacular plunge concentrated in a 13 km (7mile) stretch of waterfalls and rapids. Today Niagara Falls and its surroundings attract more than 11 million national and international visitors yearly, bringing in a half billion dollars.
The seven mile course from Horseshoe Falls traverses a narrow gorge with class 6 rapids, culminating in powerful whirlpools (3 miles downstream) before continuing its course northward to share hydroelectric generation with the U.S. This stretch of river and beautifully landscaped walking/biking trails offers a variety of attractions for both adults and children.
For an upfront and close view of Horseshoe Falls cascading water, a leisurely lunch and glass of wine at the casual Elements on the Falls Restaurant gives one a chance to sample Niagara’s fine regional cuisine. Just steps away, explore the Journey Behind the Falls, descending 150 feet to an observation deck, walking through tunnels leading behind the rushing wall of water… here one experiences a visual, auditory (roaring) and tactile (misting)sensory exhilaration. For the ultimate in Niagara’s aquatic experience, board the Maid of the Mist boat, don your water apparel and journey 0.5 Km upstream into the nearby Falls pool, surrounded by hundreds of thousands of gallons of water raining down, forming huge mist clouds mushrooming more than 200 feet skyward. Feel the fine mist on the face, the gentle rocking of the Maid of the Mist surrounded by stunning clear green water…a boat ride into nirvana.
Dry off a bit, hop on one of the frequent Peoplemover busses and head downstream to experience the White Water Walk, strolling alongside raging white water deep in the Niagara Great Gorge, some of the most dangerous rapids in the world. Back on the bus and a few kilometers upstream board the Whirlpool Aero Car, an antique cable car that transports you high above the racing Niagara River where the mesmerizing whirlpools below can circulate an object for weeks before its exit.
Kids will never run out of things to do…MarineLand with its beluga whales, high flying dolphins, walruses and sea lions, Galaxy Golf with 18 holes of miniature golf in a climate-controlled environment, Strike with 25,000 square feet of bowling lanes, billiard tables and arcade games, Fallsview Indoor Waterpark with 16 waterslides and massive indoor wave pool in a 3 acre setting, Bird kingdom, world’s largest indoor free flying aviary with exotic birds from around the world and of course, Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Café, Rainforest Café, MGM studios Plaza and many more.
For the historical buff, Old Fort Erie, Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum and McFarland House offer tours into military, letterpress printing and pioneer home life. Wind down the day with a visit to the Butterfly Conservatory, a tropical rainforest setting where over 2,000 colorful butterflies freely fly among exotic plants and blossoms in a climate controlled environment. Interested in a little adventure, hop on a chopper (Niagara Helicopters Limited) for a spectacular view of the whole Niagara basin, try a Whirlpool jet boat tour or spend a one hour guided hiking tour and a Wine-Paired lunch at the award-winning Queenston Heights Restaurant.
For a spectacular view of the Falls, the Sheraton Hotel overlooks the Niagara river and is centrally located to all the attractions. With 669 guest rooms and suites, many with floor to ceiling windows, including the dining area, the visual sight and sound of the falls and surrounding Niagara basin is unsurpassed.
Dinner 775 feet above the Falls in a 360 degree rotating restaurant will top off the day as Skylon Tower’s award winning continental cuisine and stunning views gives an 80 mile vista to the horizon. Highly recommended is their delicately prepared eggplant parmigiana with a glass of wine from one of the local wineries.
After a couple of days experiencing the Niagara Falls sights, head to the wine country and indulge yourself in winery tours and a stay at one of Niagara-on-the-Falls Vintage Hotels’ properties, Queen’s Landing, Pillar & Post or Prince of Wales. Pillar and Post, originally a canning factory in the 1890’s, now a five-star country inn on Conde Nast Gold Lists, exemplifies classic country charm with exposed brick walls, post-and-beam construction and terra cotta tile floors, along with a world class 100 Fountain Spa and professional spa concierge. Saltwater pools with whirlpool, sauna and fitness centers plus an indoor-outdoor hot springs, are all complimentary with hotel reservation and can be shared between hotels. For the ultimate in anti-oxidant therapy, try the vinotherapy, where the body is covered by grapes, wrapped and massaged, followed by a dip in their outdoor saltwater pool.
Sister hotel, Prince of Wales, built in 1864 in the historic and shopping district of Niagara-on-the-Lake blends Victorian opulence with 21st century comforts, while the elegant Georgian-style mansion, Queen’s Landing overlooks the Niagara River where diners enjoy harbor views while savoring French traditional cuisine with a West Coast edge. Enjoy shopping, espresso or a glass of wine in an outdoor cafe in the quaint town of Niagara-on-the-Lake while taking in beautifully manicured gardens.
Take an afternoon and head for the nearby unique Niagara peninsula of the Ontario wine region, combining a bit of education with leisurely wine tasting and lunch in the wine groves. The premier winery,Inniskillin , founders of Icewines in the region and noted worldwide for their award winning Icewines have been in production for 35 years, filling the tables worldwide with their varietals and Icewines. A friendly staff, knowledgeable Sommelier, Marta Jovanovic and Public Relations person, Deborah Pratt will ensure a memorable visit and new experiences on the palate with their distinctive Icewines.
The Niagara region during summer offers one a chance to see outstanding natural wonders with a vast array of attractions for the whole family, and venture out to the many wineries, both large and boutique to sample wines from a unique growing district. Below gives an overview and history of the originators of Icewines to this special area.
Take an Austrian-born chemist and an Italian Canadian agriculture graduate, a shared interest in wine, combine their talents in the 70’s and five years later, Karl J. Kaiser and Donald J.P. Ziraldo surfaced with the first winery license in Ontario, Canada, named Inniskillin Winery. They seized on the opportunity of having the right latitude, just enough growing season and a gap in the premium wine market to produce varietal wines from premium grapes grown in the Niagara Peninsula. The grape of choice was the Vitis vinifera, including Riesling, Chardonnay and Gamay which formed their quality base. July 31, 1975, Inniskillin Wines and their founders became incorporated.
Kaiser and Ziraldo tirelessly tested the new ground of Niagara with better vines and superior winemaking techniques, grafting old world wisdom into new world terrain. An early mission statement captured this spirit — “Inniskillin: Not so much bound by tradition as inspired by it”. Humble beginnings from a converted packing shed at the Ziraldo family nursery, produced some excellent wines. The extreme Canadian winters were the impetus for producing their first Icewine in 1984, a pivotal point for Inniskillin. Noted wine expert, Hugh Johnson comments, “Their real break has been the discovery that Ice-Wine comes naturally to them. In 1991 Inniskillin’s Vidal Icewine won a Grand Prix d’Honneur at Vinexpo in Bordeaux. Now almost every winery makes Icewine-the best of astounding luscious freshness.”
International attention came through many awards and participation in wine shows, Vinexpo and Vinitaly and the placement of Inniskillin wines on the shelves of the finest wine stores and restaurants around the world, including the cellars of the Imperial Palace of Japan.
After extensively researching international appellation systems, Ziraldo founded and introduced the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) to the industry in 1989, giving a level of credibility and high standards for quality and identifying appellations of origin for Ontario’s main grape growing regions.
Inniskillin’s founders are major supporters of wine research, involved with Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. Inniskillin Hall, houses the school's Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), named in their honour. Canadian wines of unsurpassed excellence are now being enjoyed locally, nationally and internationally than ever before.
Icewines flavors and aromas are varied and distinct, primarily from concentrated fruit characteristics, and exhibiting undistorted clarity. Countless descriptions and interpretations come from the mouths of wine writers and aficionados. Ontario has two styles, especially in the Vidals, the “fat” style with deeper color, yet one-dimensional in flavor and the “slim” style, more refined and lighter in color and alcohol. These have more finesse and complexity, with finer fruitiness and flavor profiles harmonizing on the palate. Inniskillin’s forte is the “slim” style.
Noted wine glass maker, Riedel, was commissioned to design a wine glass that would distribute the sweetness of the Icewine to the edges of the tongue rather than to the most anterior part. This cut the initial burst of heavy sweetness (anteriorly) and provided a more evenly and prolonged sensation on the tongue. The wine tasting will give one the chance to sample this using conventional white wine and icewine glasses, along with samplings of their other varietals.
The year 2006 saw the departure of founders, Karl Kaiser into retirement and Donald Ziraldo into concentrating his talents on wine industry research, culinary tourism and being the ever constant Canadian Wine Ambassador. Kaiser and Ziraldo are always available and supportive of current winemaker Bruce Nicholson at Inniskillin, Niagara, Ontario.
If you’re heading to the Niagara region, this tour of premier wine maker, Inniskillin, should be high on your list of pleasant diversions for an afternoon of sampling their extraordinary Icewines.
