Niagara on the Lake, Canada
Of all the people I met this weekend in Niagara, Archie from Reif Estate Winery left the biggest impression on me. From the moment he introduced himself and I saw his curly moustache I knew this was going to be interesting.
Reif Estate Winery has European roots and so it looks very traditional, definitely not some place I would gravitate toward but it is a place I’d be on the must-go list if only to meet Archie.
Drunkntrvlr and I signed up for a wine and food pairing and after me apologizing again that I forgot to tell them Drunkntrvlr was vegetarian Archie wanted to know if we were prepared to have our mind blown. He said he was about to change the way we thought about ice wine and we would learn so much in such little time.
I was a bit skeptical. I had already decided that I liked ice wine, what more could I learn?
Turns out so much more.
It was simple, we needed to keep the wine in our mouth for 8 seconds and see how the flavours went from too sweet to buttery and finally quite mild. Archie taught us how our mouth reacts to wine and how we shouldn’t be treating our tongue like an ice wine shovel because we were missing the flavours of wine.
It was a quick visit but I have a feeling I’ll be coming back to Reif again, I know now how to drink ice wine but what about the regular stuff?
Disclosure: Reif Winery offered the tasting for me, but they did not request that I write a review at all, or even complain when I told them at the last minute I was with a vegetarian.
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I'm Ayngelina and in my mid-thirties. I left an amazing job, boyfriend, apartment and friends to find inspiration in Latin America. I'm creating a new life choosing what I want instead of what other people think I should do.
I don’t like ice wine, but I’d be willing to let Archie try to change my mind.
I said the same thing but believe me he would change your mind.
Sounds like you had a great guide to Ice Wine. Looking forward to trying it one day.
Jonathan Look, Jr. recently posted..Is It Art? – Pike Place Market Gum Wall
Come to Canada!
LOVE his mustache!!!!
I know! It really sets the tone for a good time.
I love wine, but I think I would visit this winery for Archie’s magical mustache!
But in all seriousness, the wine sounds great!!
It was really a game changer for me, I had no idea it could be so complex.
don’t like wine, but what Archie taught you is pretty interesting. i’ll try his tip – keep the wine in my mouth for 8 seconds to savor the flavor. thanks for sharing!
happyphilippines recently posted..Timeless Bolinao Sights
I find wine can be an acquired taste, once you try it a few times you start to like it more and more.
Great story so far! Thanks for sharing it. We are considering doing the same thing in the near future. In the meantime we are in the process of creating a travel blog and doing local travel bloging here and sharing those stories.
The best travel to begin with is right at home.
Archie has probably got the coolest tash I have seen! I wonder if it curls naturally?
Imperative Travel recently posted..Top 8 Tips tо Save оn Travel Insurance
Haha no, I think something like that takes some work.
Two things: awesome moustache, and 8 seconds?? That’s about how long my whole glass usually lasts!
Arianwen recently posted..Budget South of France Ideas
Sadly so does mine. This may help me drink like a responsible adult.
He looks awesome, like a painter
:) I love meeting such cool people 
Agness recently posted..Snapshots of Oslo
Yes he is definitely someone you need to meet in Niagara.