Niagara’s Decadent Sparkling and Icewine Tasting

Sweetness comes in three courses. This 45-minute tasting at Between the Lines Winery pairs sparkling wine and two Icewines with cheddar, Basque cheesecake, and a dark chocolate brownie. I like the clear food matching and the chance to taste both white Riesling Icewine and red Cabernet Franc Icewine in one sitting.

I also like the friendly, personal service. Hosts including Paul, Paola, Rachel, and Rolf have helped make tastings relaxed and informative. The main drawback is practical: there is no transportation included, and the tasting room can get loud, making conversation harder.

Key points to know before you go

• Three carefully matched bites: Aged cheddar comes with Sparkling Eric Brut, Basque cheesecake with Riesling Icewine, and a brownie with Cabernet Franc Icewine.
• A focused Niagara specialty: This is a good introduction to Icewine, one of Ontario’s best-known wine styles.
• A family-run setting: Between the Lines is a family estate winery producing VQA wines in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s wine country.
• Only 45 minutes: The tasting is compact, so it fits neatly into a day of winery visits.
• Bring your own ride plan: Bus, shuttle, and private transportation are not included.
• Private activity for your group: Only your party takes part in the booked activity, though the winery itself may have other people around.

A sweet introduction to Niagara wine

Between the Lines Winery sits at 991 Four Mile Creek Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake, in the heart of Ontario’s wine country. This experience keeps things simple: arrive at the winery, settle into the tasting, and work through three wine and food pairings with a winery host.

The emphasis is on Icewine, a style that may be new to you. The tasting includes one glass of sparkling wine and two glasses of Icewine, giving you a useful contrast between a dry or lively opening wine and the intensely sweet closing pours.

I like that the tasting is built around food rather than wine alone. Sweet wines can feel heavy if you sip them without a counterpoint. Cheese, cheesecake, and chocolate give your palate something to work with, helping you understand why each wine was selected.

This is not a vineyard tour, walking tour, or transportation package. You will not be taken around the Niagara region by bus, and you should not expect a long lesson on the estate grounds. It is a short seated tasting with a strong focus on flavor, pairing, and conversation.

The first pour: Sparkling Eric Brut and aged cheddar

The tasting begins with a glass of Sparkling Eric Brut paired with aged cheddar cheese. That is a sensible opening. Sparkling wine brings acidity and lift, while aged cheddar supplies salt, fat, and a firm savory flavor.

For you, this first match offers an easy way to start thinking about wine and food together. Take a sip of the sparkling wine on its own, then try it with the cheese. The difference is the point. The cheddar can make the wine seem softer, while the wine helps cut through the cheese’s richness.

The sparkling pour also gives the tasting some balance before the sweeter wines arrive. If you are new to Icewine, this progression matters. You begin with a wine that should feel more familiar, then move toward the concentrated sweetness that defines the second and third pairings.

The exact tasting-room setup may vary, but the winery is described as a clean, attractive place, with one account noting an atmosphere around the casks. The setting adds character without turning the experience into a formal performance.

Riesling Icewine meets Basque cheesecake

The second pairing brings out Riesling Icewine with a bite of Basque cheesecake. This is the soft, creamy center of the tasting, both in texture and flavor.

Riesling Icewine is a classic Niagara style, and this pairing gives you a direct introduction to its sweet fruit character. The cheesecake adds creaminess and a slightly browned edge, while the Icewine supplies the concentrated sweetness needed to hold its own beside dessert.

I would pay attention to how the wine changes after the cheesecake. A dessert wine can taste almost too sweet by itself, but a creamy dessert can make it feel more balanced. That small comparison is more useful than simply being told that the wine pairs well with cheesecake.

This is also the best part of the tasting for anyone who wants to understand why Icewine costs more than many everyday wines. The flavor is concentrated, and the pour is meant to be enjoyed slowly rather than treated like a casual glass of table wine.

Several hosts have explained the Icewine-making process during the tasting, including how grapes are harvested for this unusual style. If this is your first Icewine experience, ask questions. The tasting works best when you treat it as a conversation, not a quick sample before shopping.

Cabernet Franc Icewine and the brownie finish

The final pairing is Cabernet Franc Icewine with a dark chocolate brownie. It is the boldest and most dessert-like moment of the experience.

Cabernet Franc gives the red Icewine a different profile from the Riesling. The pairing lets you compare white and red Icewine side by side, which is one of the best reasons to choose this experience instead of a basic one-wine tasting.

The brownie adds cocoa, sweetness, and a dense texture. You may find that the chocolate makes the red Icewine taste fuller, while the wine keeps the brownie from becoming too sugary. This is a small portion-based tasting, not a meal, but the three bites add up to a satisfying finish.

If you already enjoy dessert wines, this will likely be your favorite part. If you prefer dry reds, the sweetness may be a surprise. The experience does not pretend to offer a broad survey of Ontario wine. Its purpose is to show how Icewine works with dessert, and it does that in a clear, approachable way.

One useful detail: the tasting does not include a regular glass of wine for afterward. A comment about the winery’s sales license also suggests that you should ask staff about current rules before opening a bottle on site. If you plan to buy wine, arrange your next stop and transportation accordingly.

What the hosts add to the experience

The strongest part of this tasting is the service. Paul has been praised for making the tasting fun and personal, while Paola helped explain the wine-making process and the proper way to taste wine with food. Rachel has shared information about the winery and its family background, and Rolf has handled tastings with care and good humor.

That variety matters because a short tasting depends heavily on the person guiding it. A rushed or mechanical presentation would make 45 minutes feel thin. A warm host can turn the same three pours into a useful lesson.

The staff can also help you explore beyond the fixed tasting. One host allowed an early-arriving group to begin ahead of schedule and try additional wines, including a special wine drink, without adding a charge. That should not be treated as a guaranteed part of the package, but it shows the kind of flexibility you might find when the tasting room is able to accommodate it.

You can expect explanations about pairing, Icewine production, and how to taste properly. You may also get recommendations for food and other activities in the Niagara-on-the-Lake area. The experience seems especially well suited to people who enjoy asking questions instead of simply ticking off a winery stop.

The setting at Four Mile Creek Road

The address places you in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s wine country rather than at Niagara Falls itself. That distinction matters when planning your day. The experience is listed under Niagara Falls and the surrounding area, but you must make your own way to the winery.

There is no bus, shuttle, or private transportation included. You will also not take part in a walking tour. If you are staying near the falls, check your route carefully and allow time to reach Four Mile Creek Road.

Public transportation is nearby, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but the activity includes alcoholic beverages, so anyone who is not drinking should still confirm that the format suits them before booking.

The activity ends at the same winery where it starts. That makes it easy to continue on your own schedule, but it also means you need a safe plan for getting back. Designate a driver, use public transportation where practical, or arrange a ride. A wine tasting is a poor place to improvise your return trip.

How much value do you get for $22.94?

At $22.94 per person, this is an appealing price for a guided tasting that includes four alcoholic servings in total: one glass of sparkling wine and two glasses of Icewine, along with three food pairings. The amount of wine is not a full day of tasting, but the format is more substantial than a single sample.

The value comes from the structure. You are not only paying for three pours. You are getting a host, food matches, an explanation of the wines, and the chance to compare different styles in one sitting.

The price is particularly fair if you have never tried Icewine. Buying a bottle without knowing whether you enjoy the style can be an expensive gamble. This tasting lets you test both Riesling and Cabernet Franc Icewine first, then decide if you want to purchase something.

It is less attractive if you want transportation, a vineyard walk, a large wine flight, or a full meal. None of those are included. You are paying for a short, focused tasting, not a complete winery day.

The private booking is another value point. Only your group participates in the activity, which can make it easier to ask questions and keep the pace comfortable. Still, the larger winery may not be quiet. One tasting room was described as loud enough to make it difficult to hear the server and companions.

Timing, noise, and the best way to prepare

Forty-five minutes is enough for the three pairings, but it leaves little room for delays. Arrive ready to begin, especially if you are fitting this between other appointments.

The tasting area has been described as pleasant and clean, but noise can vary. If you have trouble hearing in busy rooms, try to position yourself close to the host and ask questions as they come up. A private group does not mean the entire building is reserved for you.

Wear something comfortable and keep your schedule loose enough to enjoy the conversation. The tasting is designed to be unhurried, but the short duration means you should not expect a long break between pours.

The experience is also a good fit for a special occasion. One couple included it in a 35th wedding anniversary trip, and the combination of dessert pairings, a peaceful winery setting, and attentive service suits a celebratory afternoon without the cost of a formal dinner.

Who will enjoy this tasting most?

I would recommend this experience to:

• First-time Icewine drinkers
• Couples looking for a short food and wine activity
• Small private groups
• People who enjoy dessert pairings
• Visitors already touring Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries
• Anyone who likes asking questions about how wine is made

You may want something else if you prefer dry wines, larger tasting flights, vineyard walks, or transportation from Niagara Falls. The sweetness is the central feature, not a minor detail.

Families with older children may need to consider the alcohol-focused format. The available information says most people can participate, but it does not provide a children’s tasting or a separate nonalcoholic program.

Booking and cancellation details

You receive confirmation when you book, and the ticket is mobile, so you can show it from your phone. The activity is private for your group, starts and ends at Between the Lines Winery, and offers free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.

Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. Cutoff times follow local Niagara time, so check the clock carefully if you are changing plans from another time zone.

Should you book Niagara’s Decadent Sparkling and Icewine Tasting?

Book it if you want a compact, affordable introduction to Niagara Icewine with real food pairings and a host who can explain what you are tasting. The Riesling and Cabernet Franc comparison is the key advantage, and the cheddar, cheesecake, and brownie progression gives the 45 minutes a clear shape.

I would especially choose it before buying Icewine as a gift or souvenir. You can find out whether you prefer the white or red style, ask about production, and get serving ideas before spending more on a bottle.

Skip it if you need a ride from Niagara Falls, want a full winery tour, or dislike sweet wine. Also plan for possible noise in the tasting room. For the right visitor, though, $22.94 buys a friendly, focused lesson in one of Ontario’s most distinctive wines.

FAQ

Where does the tasting take place?

It takes place at Between The Lines Winery, 991 Four Mile Creek Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, L0S 1J0, Canada.

How long does the experience last?

The tasting lasts approximately 45 minutes.

What wines are included?

You receive one glass of Sparkling Eric Brut, one glass of Riesling Icewine, and one glass of Cabernet Franc Icewine.

What food is paired with the wine?

The tasting includes aged cheddar cheese, Basque cheesecake, and a dark chocolate brownie.

Is transportation included?

No. Bus, shuttle, and private transportation are not included. You must make your own way to the winery.

Does the activity return to the starting point?

Yes. The experience ends back at Between the Lines Winery.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted.