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- NC staff, faculty and students are immersed in the festivities at Montebello Park. Supplied photos
Canada’s oldest and largest wine festival is giving the public a taste of Niagara College.
College students, staff, faculty and, of course, wine will continue to add flavour to the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival for 2023 as the six-day celebration of Niagara wine returns to Montebello Park, during the last two weekends of September.
NC is a winery partner of the event for 2023 and is sponsoring the Food + Drink Marquee at Montebello Park – a new addition to this year’s festival offering a gathering place for culinary, wine and craft spirit experts to share their knowledge (and flavours) with the public. Guests can enjoy small plates of exciting local food crafted by chefs from the Niagara College School of Culinary Arts.
NC’s expertise in culinary and beverage studies will be showcased the festival with NC staff and faculty presenting a variety of free demonstrations, featuring products from the College’s Learning Enterprises.
On the weekend of Sept. 16, Chef Osvalda Avila and students from the Bachelor of Business Administration (Hospitality program hosted ‘The Rules of Risotto’ and dished up Barley Risotto, dried cranberries and butternut squash – a fall favourite dish – paired with NC Sparkling Brut.
On Sept. 27, Dean/ Chef Craig Youdale and wine professor // sommelier Peter Rod presented ‘Sip and Snack’ with two seminars pairing Niagara Charcuterie with Niagara wine (featuring Riesling-Gewurztraminer/Riesling-Balance Pinot).
Head Distiller David Dickson and Victor Oliveira (Manager, Catering & Special Events) stole the spotlight on Sept. 17 with a Mix it Up Cocktail Making Class, showing how grape-based spirits add character to two classic cocktails – a Japanese Cocktail and Classic Sidecar (featuring NC’s Small Batch Brandy, Pulp’d Fiction and Orange Bitters).
The weekend of Sept. 22-24 will feature pastry-themed demonstrations with Chef Ryan Mallin’s ice cream demo on Friday night. Catherine O’Donnell will team up with wine professor Gavin Robertson for a pastry/wine demo on Saturday and Victor Oliveira (Manager, Catering & Special Events) will return to present a wine and cheese demo on Sunday.
The Teaching Winery also continues to be a part of the festival’s Discovery Pass program. The self-guided tasting tour runs Sept. 8-10, 15-17, 11, 22-24 from 11 a.m. To 5 p.m. at participating local wineries. Featured items at the NC Teaching Winery for Discovery Pass guests include Fois Gras mouse made with Niagara peach compote and roasted grapes, paired with its award-winning Balance Sauvignon Blanc, featuring chef Savoia Hors D’Oeuvres Inc. Visit niagarawinefestival.com/discovery-pass
Watch out for familiar faces at the Grande Parade to take place on Saturday, September 23 starting at 11 a.m. Thousands are expected to gather in downtown St. Catharines to enjoy dancers, entertainers, parade floats, and live music. NC pride will be on display with staff and students on the NC float.
NC ‘s parade participation is being organized by Athletics and Engagement with 250 students currently registered to participate.
Bussing is available for students and shirts, designed by NC Marketing, are available for all college participants. Registration is required (see full details on the registration page) and remains open.
Visit niagarawinefestival.com.
