For Mother’s Day, the entire family took mom for a day of wine tasting in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.

As part of a special program, many wineries offer the tasting of a specific wine paired with an ‘amuse bouche’ made with a specific herb. You can find the entire list at wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com

We had a wonderful day, and the weather even cooperated by clearing up and warming up, at least a little.

I thought the best way to share the day was with a little photo tour.

So without further ado, starting from top left:

-2007 Cabernet Franc with a Goat Cheese Tart with Oregano Marinated Grape Tomato at Chateau des Charmes
-Spring Vegetable ‘Paella’ with Seared Shrimp and Saffron Aioli at Coyote’s Run Estate Winery
-The beautiful vineyards at Marynissen Estates Winery
-Ontario Buffalo Mozzarella and Basil Pizza at Reif Estate Winery
-A basil plant at Reif Estate Winery (many wineries had potted herbs to emphasize their wine and herb pairing)
-Tarragon Ricotta Croustade with Oven Dried Tomato at Inniskillin Wines
-The chef hard at work at Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery
-An Arugula Chevre Tart at Jackson-Triggs was paired with a 2007 Gewurstraminer ‘Grand Reserve’
-Peller Estates Winery served a 2008 Private Reserve Pinot Gris with killer Lemon Balm Sweet Cake
-I have never seen sage bushes like these magnificent ones at Lailey Vineyard
-We finished the day with some crazy-huge slices of cake at Kurtz Orchards and Country Market

It was a lovely day full of magnificent tastes and pairings that highlighted both the wines and the herbs. Delicious!