The Spotlight crew spent the weekend in beautiful Stratford Ontario to experience the Savour Stratford Festival. I thought it was fitting to compile a list of local Stratford restaurants that carry Ontario wines.
The city of Stratford is nearly 2 hours away from Beamsville / Niagara yet when compared to other cities in Toronto, the support for Ontario wines is strong and growing. More restaurants per capita supporting local wines by the glass and bottle. This is great for locals and tourists as many of the city's eateries have affordable and great options.
Here are some that I've discovered this year.
County Food Co.
This little eatery is known for its extensive salad bar and sandwich county. With a strong focus on vegetarian options, County Food Co also has an impressive wine program with many Ontario wines by the glass at very affordable prices.
Ontario wines available;
- Chateau des Charmes (Chardonnay, Cabernet)
- Malivore “Red”
- Henry of Pelham , Baco Noir
- Konzelmann , Merlot
- Big House Red ,Cabernet/Shiraz
- Creekside Estates, Pinot Grigio
- Vineland Estates, Chardonnay
The County Food Co. 38 Erie Street, Ontario. www.countyfoodco.com
Foster's Inn
One of my favourite places to stay when in Stratford, Foster's Inn resides in a Victorian building with beautiful rooms and fun restaurant and bar that showcases Ontario ingredients whenever possible. It's acclaimed for their brunch program, and the number of live music events they host.
Ontario wines available;
- Chateau Des Charmes (Chardonnay, Cabernet, Rose, Cab-Merlot)
- Cave Spring Riesling (Riesling, Pinot Noir)
- Tawse Pinot Noir & Echos Chardonnay (by the bottle)
Foster's Inn. 111 Downie Street, Stratford. www.fostersinn.com
The Church Wine Bar
Operated in a historical building, the Church restaurant focuses on modern French cuisine elevated by seasonal local ingredients. The menu changes every six weeks and the restuarant offers a balanced and approachable wine list.
Ontario wines available;
- Konzelmann Estate Chardonnay
- Tawse Echos (Riesling, Rose)
- Calamus Estate Pinot Gris
- Malivoire Gamay
- Le Clos Jordanne Pinot Noir Village
- Rosehall Run Cabernet Franc
- Ravine Vineyard Merlot
The Church Restaurant. 70 Brunswick Street, Stratford. www.churchrestaurant.com
Rundles Bistro
For 35 years Rundles has defined fine dining in Stratford and has stood out in the province as a gem of a restaurant. Chef Neil Baxter and his team present a menu that is inpsired globally, supporting local producers.
Ontario wines available;
- Hinterland Rose Sparkling
- Rosehall Run Sully Blanc
- Cattail Creek Riesling
- Henry of Pelham Fermented Chardonnay
- Tawse Echos Cabernet-Merlot
Rundles Bistro. 9 Cobourg Street, Stratford. www.rundlesrestaurant.com
Mercer Hall Restaurant
Stratford's latest additon to the dining scene is operated by husband and wife team, Time and Jessie Larsen, in the former Tango restaurant space. Since opening, the restaurant has taken the city by storm, with a fun menu composed of shareable snacks and
Ontario wines available;
- Pelee Island Secco
- Cave Spring Dolomite Brut
- Chateau des Charmes (Rosé Sparkling, Aligote, Chardonnay)
- Flat Rock Cellars Pinot Noir
- Tawse Echos (Riesling)
- Megalomaniac (Pink Slip, Pompous Red)
- Lailey Vineyards Cabernet Merlot
- Tawse Gewurztraminer Quarry Road
Mercer Hall Restaurant. 104 Ontario Street, Stratford. www.mercerhall.com
The Prune Restaurant
Ontario wines available;
- ‘Petit Cuvée’ Rosé, 13th Street Winery, Niagara 11.00 48.00
- Huff Estate, ‘Cuveé Peter Huff’, 2006 PEC 16.00 70.00
- Riesling, Featherstone Winery, Niagara 2011 4.65 9.00 36.00
- Sauvignon Blanc, Peninsula Ridge, Niagara 2010 6.50 12.00 48.00
- Chardonnay ‘Echos’, Tawse Winery, Niagara 2008 6.25 11.50 45.00
- White (Assemblage), Tollgate by Stratus, Niagara 6.25 11.50 45.00
- Pondview Estate Winery, Niagara 2010 4.25 8.00 32.00
- Shiraz, Creekside Estate, Niagara 2010
- Pinot Noir, Rosewood Estate, Niagara 2010
- Cabernet-Merlot, Pondview Estate, Niagara 2008
- Riesling ‘Stellucha’, Colaneri Estate Winery, Niagara 2009 (500ml)
- Melon de Bourgogne, Malivoire, Niagara 2011
- Viognier ‘Undercurrant’, Creekside Estate Winery, St. David’s 2008
- Chardonnay ‘Quarry Road’, Tawse Winery, Vinemount Ridge Niagara 2010
- Cabernet ‘Corposo’ Ripasso, Colaneri Estate Winery, Niagara 2009 (500ml)
- Cabernet Franc ‘Grower’s Blend’, Tawse Winery, Lincoln-Lakeshore Niagara
- Pinot Noir, Malivoire, Beamsville Bench Niagara 2008
- Meritage, Tawse Winery,Niagara Peninsula 2008
- Sauvignon Blanc, Ravine Vineyard, Niagara Peninsula 2009
- Chardonnay ‘Sans Barrique Sur Lie’, Norman Hardie, PEC 2008
- Stratus White, Niagara Peninsula 2006
- ‘Red Conception’ (Blend), Fielding Estate Winery, Niagara 2008
The Prune Restaurant. 151 Albert Street, Stratford. www.theprune.com
Down The Street Bar
Ontario wines available;
- Baco Noir 10 Henry of Pelham Baco Noir
- Malivoire Guilty Men
- Lailey Vineyards Meritage
- Cave Spring Cellars Riesling
- Chateau des Charmes Chardonnay
- Creekside Pinot Grigio
- Pelee Island ‘Secco’
- Henry of Pelham Brut Rosé
- Malivoire ‘Ladybug’ Rosé 11
- Tawse ‘Echos’ Rosé 10
Down the Street Bar. 30 Ontario Street, Stratford. www.downthestreet.ca
Molly Bloom's Irish Pub
Ontario wines available;
- Pelee Island Pinot Grigio (Ontario) VQA
- Chateau des Charmes Chardonnay Unoaked (Ontario, Riesling, Rose)
- Harbour Estates Sunset Rose (Ontario)
- Tawse Echos Organic Rose (Ontario) VQA
- Pelee Island Merlot
Molly Bloom's Irish Pub. 26 Brunswick Street, Stratford. www.mollyblooms.ca
What the Industry thinks..
Yes, It has become much easier to sell Chateau des Charmes wines to restaurants over the past four years. It is very refreshing to see how much local restaurants are supporting VQA wines on a whole! I think it is a combination of the support local movement, but also because the general public is becoming more aware of the quality of VQA wines. We are competing internationally with our wines, competing with new world wine and old world wine countries and bringing home the medals. People are realizing that Ontario is making world class wines! I don't think that there are any "unexpected" places to find Chateau des Charmes anymore, which I think is a good sign of the times for VQA wines. You will find our wines at various styles of restaurants and hotels across Canada, and in fact around the world. However, I will say that in particular, Ontario restaurants and hotels have been and are continuing to be great supporters of Chateau des Charmes wines. The local wine movement is definitely still relevant and I believe you will see more and more restaurants supporting local wines. Supporting local isn't just a fad, it is a way of life!"
Chris Guiliani. Chateau des Charmes winery. www.chateaudescharmes.com
1. In the last 4 years, has it become easier to convince restaurants to buy local wines. We're talking the 2nd tier of restaurants, not the early adopter / hipster restaurants like origin, enoteca sociale etc.
Yes and No. Price and style have to fit perfectly. Timing/style/price is very important…
2. What are some 'unexpected' places where you can find your wine?
Italian restaurants come to mind. While Italian wine is the focus, there seem to have small room for good, well-priced, local wines.
3. Is the local wine movement still relevant? will we continue to see more local wines at restaurants?
Yes, I really think so. I don’t think this trend will disappear. People still like buying food/wine produce in their own backyard. I think they see quality and value from those products. Also, global warming is not to be dismiss. I think over time, we will be able to produce greater number of bigger reds…still very popular with many. And we have seen incredible vintages this past/current three years: 2010, 2011, 2012. Vintages like those will definitely help the industry. It will be very hard to make bad wines from 2012, so I think we will be able to find excellentOntario wines at good price from 2012.
Daniel Lafleur. Tawse Winery. www.tawsewinery.ca
