Touring Niagara Wine Country. 2nd ed.

Marcia Sweet, former editor of the Queen’s Quarterly, is an
information consultant and freelance editor.

The introduction to this second edition of Touring Niagara Wine Country
provides a knowledgeable and clear explanation of the characteristics,
history, and quality of Niagara’s many grape varietals. It also
describes in detail how the flavour and character of each wine type is
affected by the region’s particular geographic, geological, and
climatic conditions. At times, the book is almost poetic in its
descriptions of Niagara’s political history, wildlife, plants,
culture, and landforms.

The author lists and describes, by area, individual wineries with a
sizable commercial output of wine as well as those that produce
“handicraft” wines. She identifies organic growers and tender fruit
winemakers, and describes newly established wineries in inviting detail.
The artful descriptions of the setting of the winery, the view from its
restaurant, and the profiles of the vintners and chefs of the winery
restaurants make the book engaging and personal.

The inclusion of “tours” based on wine (Ice Wine, Chardonnay,
Riesling) lacks a rationale: wine lovers are usually interested in
sampling many kinds of wine. Also questionable is the inclusion of
chapters outlining day trips to non-wine-producing areas such as most of
the Niagara Parkway and Port Colborne. Sidebars treat topics such as
accommodations, restaurants, festivals and events, recommended wineries,
excursions, and services; this information is widely available and not
unique. Inconsistent labelling detracts from the enjoyment of the very
attractive photographs, and the text is riddled with typos and
misspellings.

Touring Niagara Wine Country is interesting and original when it deals
with wine, but chaotic and derivative in its attempt to throw in
“something for everyone.” Wine lovers will enjoy the excellent
discussions of wine and wineries. In a smaller format, and with fewer
digressions, this book would be a useful pocket guide to the wineries,
restaurants, and other wine-related attractions of the Niagara.