Constantly expanding and constantly changing, the Niagara Wine Trail is trying something new for its annual "Taste of the Trail" event, to be held over two weekends in April.

During the weekends of April 4-6 and 11-13, the wineries along the Niagara Wine Trail will participate in the annual wine and local food-pairing event, with 10 wineries taking part one weekend and the other 10 taking part the following weekend.

"This allows attendees to take advantage of visiting wineries they may not have had the chance to visit yet, and have the opportunity to visit more than just a few wineries in one day," according to a press release from the wine trail.

The concept of Taste of the Trail is to educate how wine can easily pair with each part of your meal. A sample from a local food vendor, or the winery's own favorite pairing, will be given at each location with a taste of three wines.

Wineries participating April 4-6 include:

• BlackBird Cider Works
• Black Willow Winery
• Chateau Niagara Winery, featuring a pasta sampler paired with their new release "Bliss" wine (blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay)
• Lake Ontario Winery, featuring Semi Dry Riesling paired with baguette bread topped with homemade mozzarella & drizzled with a mild olive oil and cinnamon pear balsamic vinegar
• Leonard Oakes Estate Winery
• Schulze Vineyards
• Schwenk Wine Cellars
• Spring Lake Winery with Bruschetta Italiano paired with Zinfandel and White Merlot
• Vizcarra Vineyards, offering mini cupcakes paired with Becker Blue blueberry wine, blushing peach melba mini cupcake with a vanilla bean buttercream, and peach cake, accented with black raspberry and vanilla bean, vanilla bean buttercream and cobbler garnish
• The Winery at Marjim Manor, featuring pizza fondue paired with choice of dry, medium, or sweet wine: True Blue or Legacy (dry), Sophia's Sunrise (medium), and Blue Beryl (sweet)

April 11-13 participating wineries are:

• A Gust of Sun Winery, featuring creamy, vegetarian carrot soup, infused with Sweet Westies White wine
• Arrowhead Spring Vineyards
• Eveningside Vineyards with chocolate crownies paired with red wines
• Flight of Five Winery offering Lock 68 wine paired with pesto chicken sliders (a vegetarian option will be available)
• Freedom Run Winery
• Honeymoon Trail Winery
• Long Cliff Winery, featuring Pinot Noir paired with a mixed vegetable side dish from Garlock's Restaurant
• Midnight Run Wine Cellars, featuring coconut curry chicken paired with Riesling
• Niagara Landing Wine Cellars with assorted artisan and stuffed breads with a variety of dips that pair with any of their wines
• Victorianbourg Wine Estate

Tickets include the food sample, a tasting of three wines, and a commemorative wine glass from the first winery. Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance for this event. The Single Weekend price will be $20 advance or $25 at the door, and the Two Weekends price will be $35 advance or $40 at the door during the first weekend. Advance ticket sales end online at 9 p.m. April 3 for the first weekend, and 9 p.m. April 10 for the second weekend.

Tickets do not include transportation, and are valid all three days of the event so attendees may visit a few wineries each day, if they choose. The event runs each weekend Noon to 5 p.m. on Friday and Sunday, and from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday.

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