Niagara’s Decadent Sparkling and Icewine Tasting

Niagara’s sweet side comes through clearly in this 45-minute tasting at Between the Lines Winery. You’ll sample one sparkling wine and two Icewines, each matched with a small food pairing, from aged cheddar to Basque cheesecake and a dark chocolate brownie.

I like the careful pairing format, and I like that hosts such as Paul, Paola, Rachel, and Rolf have made the tasting friendly and easy to follow. The main drawback is practical: you must reach the winery yourself, and the tasting room can get noisy, making conversation harder at busy times.

Key points at a glance

• Three wines with three deliberate pairings: Sparkling Eric Brut comes with aged cheddar, Riesling Icewine with Basque cheesecake, and Cabernet Franc Icewine with a brownie.
• A short visit with plenty of flavor: The tasting lasts about 45 minutes, a useful fit between other Niagara-on-the-Lake stops.
• Icewine is the star: You get both white Riesling Icewine and red Cabernet Franc Icewine, a good introduction to Ontario’s best-known sweet wine style.
• Personal hosting matters here: Guides including Paul, Paola, Rachel, and Rolf have been praised for clear explanations and warm service.
• You arrange your own ride: Transportation is not included, and the experience begins and ends at 991 Four Mile Creek Road.
• Private group activity: Only your group participates, which can make questions and conversation easier than at a large public tasting.

Three courses, three very different wines

This is not a broad winery tour with a long list of pours. It is a compact tasting built around three pairings. That focus is useful because you can pay attention to how the wine changes with food instead of trying to remember a dozen samples.

You begin with Sparkling Eric Brut, served with aged cheddar. The combination gives the tasting a savory opening. Sparkling wine brings lift and acidity, while cheddar adds salt and firmness. If you are new to wine pairing, this is a straightforward way to notice contrast: the cheese softens the sharp edge of the wine, and the bubbles keep the bite from feeling heavy.

The second course moves into sweeter territory. Riesling Icewine is paired with Basque cheesecake, a dessert known for its browned top and creamy center. This pairing is likely to feel richer and softer than the first. Riesling Icewine supplies concentrated fruit sweetness, while the cheesecake gives it a creamy partner.

The final match is the most dessert-like: Cabernet Franc Icewine with a dark chocolate brownie. Red Icewine is an especially interesting inclusion because many first-time visitors expect Icewine to be white. Cabernet Franc gives the last pairing a darker fruit profile, while chocolate adds depth and bitterness.

The food portions are designed as tasting bites, not lunch. That matters. You get enough to understand each pairing, but you should not arrive expecting a full meal. If you plan to visit several wineries, this is a pleasant snack stop rather than a substitute for a proper restaurant meal.

Why Niagara Icewine deserves a closer look

Icewine is closely tied to Ontario’s wine identity, and this tasting gives you two different versions in one sitting. The white Riesling and red Cabernet Franc are not simply two sweet wines with different labels. They show how grape variety changes the character of a concentrated wine.

The production process is part of the appeal. One host explained how the perfect Icewine is made, giving the tasting some useful context beyond pouring glasses. The style depends on grapes harvested at a very late stage, when they are naturally concentrated by freezing conditions. The result is a small amount of intensely sweet juice.

You do not need a technical wine background to enjoy the explanation. The hosts have been praised for making the subject approachable, answering questions, and showing how to taste the wine with food. Paola, Paul, Rachel, and Rolf are specifically associated with warm, capable hosting, though your guide will depend on the day.

I especially like that the tasting treats Icewine as something to understand, not just something sweet to buy. If you have always found dessert wine intimidating, this is a gentle introduction. If you already know Icewine, the red and white comparison gives you a reason to pay attention.

Inside Between the Lines Winery

Between the Lines Winery is a family estate producing VQA wines and Icewines in Ontario’s wine country. The experience takes place at the winery rather than on a shuttle or walking route, so the focus remains on the tasting room and the wines in front of you.

The setting has been described as clean and attractive, with a peaceful feel around the winery and vineyards. Another account noted an atmosphere around casks, which adds a traditional winery touch. Just keep expectations in check: the supplied details do not promise a full production tour, vineyard walk, or cellar presentation.

That narrow focus is a strength if you want a simple stop. You can arrive, sit down, taste, ask questions, and finish in less than an hour. It is less suitable if your main goal is to spend half a day touring the property or learning every stage of winemaking.

The room can also be noisy. One account specifically found it difficult to hear the server and companions when the winery was loud. I would keep this in mind if you have hearing concerns or want a quiet, intimate conversation. A private group helps, but it does not guarantee silence in the surrounding tasting area.

What the 45-minute visit feels like

The timing is one of this experience’s best features. At about 45 minutes, it fits neatly into a Niagara-on-the-Lake wine day, especially if you want to visit several estates without turning every stop into a long commitment.

The host introduces the wines, serves the pairings, and explains how to taste them together. You are not simply handed three glasses and left to work things out. The best part of the format is the progression from savory cheese to creamy cheesecake to dark chocolate.

Allow a little flexibility if your group likes to ask questions. The hosts have made the tasting conversational, and some visitors have enjoyed having time to talk without feeling hurried. The official duration is approximate, so the experience may feel shorter or longer depending on the pace of your group.

You may also encounter an opportunity to sample additional wines. One host allowed an early-arriving group to try wines outside the planned selection and even prepared a special wine drink. That kind of hospitality is not a guaranteed part of the package, so treat it as a pleasant possibility rather than an included feature.

Is $22.94 a fair price?

At $22.94 per person, the value is strong if you want a hosted tasting with food rather than wine alone. The price includes one glass of sparkling wine, two glasses of Icewine, aged cheddar, Basque cheesecake, a dark chocolate brownie, and the winery host.

Icewine tends to be a premium product, and tasting both a Riesling and a Cabernet Franc gives you more useful comparison than a single sweet pour. The food also has a purpose. Each bite helps show why a particular wine works with savory, creamy, or chocolate flavors.

The price looks less attractive if you want transportation, a guided vineyard walk, or a full meal. None of those are included. You also need to get to 991 Four Mile Creek Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake and return there when the tasting ends.

In other words, you are paying for a focused tasting, not a complete wine-country excursion. For couples, small groups, and visitors already driving through the area, it is a reasonable add-on. For someone without a car or shuttle plan, the low ticket price does not solve the larger transportation problem.

Planning your arrival and departure

The meeting point is Between The Lines Winery, 991 Four Mile Creek Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario L0S 1J0. The activity ends at the same location.

No bus, shuttle, or private transportation is provided. There is no walking tour either, so plan your route before booking. The winery is near public transportation, but the supplied details do not specify routes, frequency, or how close a stop is. I would confirm your transport plan rather than assume the tasting will arrange it.

The activity is private, meaning only your group participates. That is useful for couples and families who prefer to ask questions at their own pace. It also makes the experience feel more personal than a large shared tasting, although nearby noise may still affect the room.

Mobile tickets are accepted, and confirmation arrives when you book. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. Since alcohol is served, decide in advance who will drive or arrange another safe way to return.

The hosts are a big part of the experience

The wines and pairings provide the structure, but the host determines how much you take away. Strong hosting has been a repeated feature of this tasting. Paul has been praised for making the session fun and personal. Paola helped explain the winery, the Icewine process, and proper tasting technique. Rachel has shared the family story and vineyard background, while Rolf has been described as especially attentive and clear.

Those names are useful to know, but you should not book expecting a particular person. Staff assignments can change. The important point is the style of service: explanations are available, questions are welcomed, and the tasting is presented as a conversation rather than a lecture.

I also like that the staff can help you think beyond the three included wines. If you discover that you prefer a different style, you may receive recommendations for other wines or activities in the area. Extra tastings are not promised, and any purchase terms should be confirmed on site.

One practical issue deserves attention. A comment described a licensing limitation that made it impossible to buy a glass or bottle for immediate drinking on site. The advice was to buy the bottle and take it elsewhere. Rules and procedures can change, so ask the winery directly if that detail matters to your plans.

Who should book this tasting?

This is a good choice for you if you want:

• A short winery stop with a clear beginning and end
• A first introduction to Icewine
• Food pairings included in the ticket price
• A private experience for your own group
• A friendly host who can explain the wines without making the subject too formal
• A tasting that works well between other Niagara-on-the-Lake activities

It suits couples celebrating a special occasion, small groups, and visitors bringing family or friends from out of town. One group used it during a 35th wedding anniversary trip, and the red and white Icewines made the visit feel more special than a routine tasting.

You may want a different experience if you need transportation, want a full winery tour, dislike sweet wines, or prefer a quiet room. The tasting is built around dessert-style wines, and the final two pours are especially sweet. People who prefer dry reds or crisp whites may enjoy the sparkling wine most.

Booking, cancellation, and the final call

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

I would book this tasting if Icewine is new to you, if you enjoy dessert pairings, or if you want a reasonably priced winery stop that does not consume an entire afternoon. The combination of Riesling Icewine, Cabernet Franc Icewine, and three carefully chosen bites gives the visit a clear purpose.

I would skip it if you are looking for transportation or a substantial meal. For everyone else, this is an easy, focused way to sample Niagara’s sweetest specialty, especially when a good host such as Paul, Paola, Rachel, or Rolf turns three small pours into a useful lesson.

FAQ

How long does Niagara’s Decadent Sparkling and Icewine Tasting last?

The tasting lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Where does the tasting begin?

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

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at the winery meeting point.

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 served?

The pairings include aged cheddar, Basque cheesecake, and a dark chocolate brownie.

Is transportation included?

No. Bus, shuttle, and private transportation are not included.

Is this a walking tour?

No. The experience is a winery tasting and does not include a walking tour.

Is the activity private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refundable.