Payment send

cheron98 wrote:Paying in cash at the wineries means no currency conversion fees

I have a card that doesn't charge conversion fees, which would take care of that concern. Paying in cash will work, as long as they'll accept US$ at par. With the currencies as close as they are right now, that's likely enough. If not, they'll generally charge a conversion rate significantly higher than the bank rate, in my experience. That would make the fee-free credit card a better deal.

tiger7610 wrote:Payment send

Got it

I'm pretty sure that my card is not payment free (I guess I should check for sure). The other option is to stop across the border and exchange money? How much money are people bringing? Although I'm not sure I will be buying anything unless we find that amazing dry rose again, or there are insane ice wine deals.

tiger7610 wrote:I'm pretty sure that my card is not payment free (I guess I should check for sure). The other option is to stop across the border and exchange money? How much money are people bringing? Although I'm not sure I will be buying anything unless we find that amazing dry rose again, or there are insane ice wine deals.

A payment free card would be truly wonderful! Probably won't happen in my lifetime.
I think that dry rosé was at Tawse, and I doubt we'll be going there. Bahwm and I are pretty much convinced that exchanging money at the border is a losing proposition. You're sure to pay exchange fee + commission, and with many merchants accepting US$ at par, you can't win by buying CAN$ at a currency exchange.
EDIT: They've de-commissioned the wink? Horrors!

ddeuddeg wrote:A payment free card would be truly wonderful! Probably won't happen in my lifetime.
I think that dry rosé was at Tawse, and I doubt we'll be going there. Bahwm and I are pretty much convinced that exchanging money at the border is a losing proposition. You're sure to pay exchange fee + commission, and with many merchants accepting US$ at par, you can't win by buying CAN$ at a currency exchange.

I found that the 3% fee on most cards was still a better deal than converting at airports, borders, etc. I also got a Capital One card for the sole reason that they do not charge foriegn exchange fees.

ddeuddeg wrote:A payment free card would be truly wonderful! Probably won't happen in my lifetime.
I think that dry rosé was at Tawse, and I doubt we'll be going there. Bahwm and I are pretty much convinced that exchanging money at the border is a losing proposition. You're sure to pay exchange fee + commission, and with many merchants accepting US$ at par, you can't win by buying CAN$ at a currency exchange.
EDIT: They've de-commissioned the wink? Horrors!

I thought the Rose was at Palatine Hills...

Ooh I just ... discovered ... sorry ... that my Discover card doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee. Yay!

cheron98 wrote:I thought the Rose was at Palatine Hills...

The syrah rose wasnt Tawse. Tawse did have a riesling that tasted like strawberries. Might have been palatine hill if that is the place we went to last, last year and they opened the winery up. Where do you find out about foreign transaction fees, I should check to see if my Visa has them.

tiger7610 wrote:The syrah rose wasnt Tawse. Tawse did have a riesling that tasted like strawberries. Might have been palatine hill if that is the place we went to last, last year and they opened the winery up. Where do you find out about foreign transaction fees, I should check to see if my Visa has them.

Yup, palatine hills was last.

Go online to your card site and look it up. Search for FAQs about foreign transaction fees.

We have to back out with regrets. Having some trouble arranging the person to watch the dog/house. And then the forecast for snow for the whole trip on Friday. SWMBO and I decided to pull the plug.

I hope you all enjoy Buffalo and the ice wine festival.

polarbear22 wrote:We have to back out with regrets. Having some trouble arranging the person to watch the dog/house. And then the forecast for snow for the whole trip on Friday. SWMBO and I decided to pull the plug.

I hope you all enjoy Buffalo and the ice wine festival.

ddeuddeg wrote:

Thanks. Feeling the same. Though, if there is some heavier snow between here and there on Friday, I will be relieved.

We'll have to talk about Shakespeare and one of the great restaurants this summer.

polarbear22 wrote:Thanks. Feeling the same. Though, if there is some heavier snow between here and there on Friday, I will be vindicated.

We'll have to talk about Shakespeare and one of the great restaurants this summer.

IFTFY.
"Mostly cloudy and cold with a chance for a bit of snow or flurries." Quoting from the Accuweather forecast for Friday for Buffalo, Syracuse, and Albany. Wouldn't even slow me down. Needing someone to watch the dog/house, OTOH, would be a problem.
This summer, Shakespeare in Delaware Park and Omakase at Mike A's. I'll put you down for the guest suite.

polarbear22 wrote:We have to back out with regrets. Having some trouble arranging the person to watch the dog/house. And then the forecast for snow for the whole trip on Friday. SWMBO and I decided to pull the plug.

I hope you all enjoy Buffalo and the ice wine festival.

ddeuddeg wrote:This summer, Shakespeare and Omakase at Mike A's. I'll put you down for the guest suite.

That sounds wonderful.

rjquillin wrote:Might there be wootlegging services offered?

I wasn't thinking about it back when this was posted, but since we'll be heading out to D&D next month, we could pick up something to bring along, and send it south with Sparky, if he doesn't mind.

With the plans for Friday night set, going to the Blackthorn for beef on weck, or whatever, SWMBO started lobbying for a cheesecake I haven't made in a couple of years. One of our favorites, it's topped with apple slices and pecans, and I have gluten-free graham crackers for the crust, so it should be safe for the birthday gal. We can come back to our house to have that with a nice icewine we picked up during our scouting mission yesterday.

ddeuddeg wrote:I wasn't thinking about it back when this was posted, but since we'll be heading out to D&D next month, we could pick up something to bring along, and send it south with Sparky, if he doesn't mind.

That would be most welcome. I'll leave the selection to your judgement.
Thanks!

ddeuddeg wrote:With the plans for Friday night set, going to the Blackthorn for beef on weck, or whatever, SWMBO started lobbying for a cheesecake I haven't made in a couple of years. One of our favorites, it's topped with apple slices and pecans, and I have gluten-free graham crackers for the crust, so it should be safe for the birthday gal. We can come back to our house to have that with a nice icewine we picked up during our scouting mission yesterday.

Sounds awesome! We can't wait!

Virgil

rjquillin wrote:That would be most welcome. I'll leave the selection to your judgement.
Thanks!

Do you want to give me some price and quantity parameters? They can run anywhere from $20 or so to $75 or more, for a 200mL or 375mL. The Cab Francs and Rieslings are my favorites, but the CFs tend to run toward the higher prices.

I was looking at the info for my upcoming class reunion, and it occurred to bahwm that another Buffalo icon food is the Friday night fish fry. From the things about Buffalo page on the reunion website: "FISH FRY - a breaded, often beer-battered fish, traditionally served in most Buffalo area restaurants on Friday. Many Catholics do not eat red meat on Friday because of an (outdated) prohibition on eating meat that day by the Catholic Church, so many restaurants serve fish fry as an alternative. Unlike wings, it is impossible to find a bad fish fry." While that last statement is certainly debatable, they do have a good one at the Blackthorn, in case someone is looking for an alternative to beef on weck.

ddeuddeg wrote:I was looking at the info for my upcoming class reunion, and it occurred to bahwm that another Buffalo icon food is the Friday night fish fry. From the things about Buffalo page on the reunion website: "FISH FRY - a breaded, often beer-battered fish, traditionally served in most Buffalo area restaurants on Friday. Many Catholics do not eat red meat on Friday because of an (outdated) prohibition on eating meat that day by the Catholic Church, so many restaurants serve fish fry as an alternative. Unlike wings, it is impossible to find a bad fish fry." While that last statement is certainly debatable, they do have a good one at the Blackthorn, in case someone is looking for an alternative to beef on weck.

Perfect. I'm coming off of Sadkhin and was moderately concerned about the beef. Fish fry is great not that I should be doing fried, mind you... But good enough!

cheron98 wrote:Perfect. I'm coming off of Sadkhin and was moderately concerned about the beef. Fish fry is great not that I should be doing fried, mind you... But good enough!

You could have it broiled, if you don't mind the loss of authenticity.

cheron98 wrote:Perfect. I'm coming off of Sadkhin and was moderately concerned about the beef. Fish fry is great not that I should be doing fried, mind you... But good enough!

It wouldn't be authentic, but you could have the same fish broiled.

Before someone beats me to it:

ddeuddeg wrote:Do you want to give me some price and quantity parameters? They can run anywhere from $20 or so to $75 or more, for a 200mL or 375mL. The Cab Francs and Rieslings are my favorites, but the CFs tend to run toward the higher prices.

$75 for a 375 and I'd scream OUCH! $40~50 would hopefully be a sweet (sic) point.

rjquillin wrote:$75 for a 375 and I'd scream OUCH! $40~50 would hopefully be a sweet (sic) point.

Some are worth it, but they are rare indeed. I splurged on a bottle of Cab Sauv icewine from Palatine Hills last time for $80.

If there's anything else you think I'd love (or molarchae would), feel free to send along with Ron's bottle

Local temperatures took a serious nose-dive in the past few days, so Leonard Oakes Estate Winery has its people, mainly volunteers, out picking grapes today for ice wine. Three varieties: Vidal, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. They're expecting/hoping for about a 4 ton harvest.

Do we have an idea where we want to go, and what time we want to start? Weather on friday looks bad, 70% chance of snow, so I might end up driving to buffalo on saturday morning, I do not mind getting up early,but I prefer not having to get up at 5am. (its a 3 hour drive from ithaca to buffalo)

bahwm wrote:It wouldn't be authentic, but you could have the same fish broiled.

That'll work. I saw some salmon too. There's some options at least

If people haven't gotten hotels yet, there's a travelzoo offer for the Barton Hill (where we've had a couple tastings): http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals/Buffalo/Getaway/38809

$199 for two nights plus $25 spa/restaurant credit and $30 casino credit for Seneca Niagara Casino.

cheron98 wrote:If people haven't gotten hotels yet, there's a travelzoo offer for the Barton Hill (where we've had a couple tastings): http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals/Buffalo/Getaway/38809

$199 for two nights plus $25 spa/restaurant credit and $30 casino credit for Seneca Niagara Casino.

The problem with that place is that it is about 45 minutes from our place.

bahwm wrote:The problem with that place is that it is about 45 minutes from our place.

And didnt they have a bedbugs problem?

tiger7610 wrote:Do we have an idea where we want to go, and what time we want to start? Weather on friday looks bad, 70% chance of snow, so I might end up driving to buffalo on saturday morning, I do not mind getting up early,but I prefer not having to get up at 5am. (its a 3 hour drive from ithaca to buffalo)

The meteorologist here just said some light snow on Friday. I thought you WERE planning on driving up on Sat. anyway? I'm confused. Do what's going to work best for you and keep you the safest.

Last year, we met up at D&J's for breakfast Saturday at 9 AM. Most of the wineries do not open until 11 AM. So, if we are on the road by 10:15 - 10:30, that should work fine. However, only tiger has chimed in on D&J. May I have some other thoughts? If those of you who are staying at hotels prefer to grab breakfast there, that's fine. Just say it. We can eat breakfast at our house before we go. Hopefully, we will be grazing enough all day at the wineries that we will not have to get anything more to eat before Seabar @ 7.

bahwm wrote:The meteorologist here just said some light snow on Friday. I thought you WERE planning on driving up on Sat. anyway? I'm confused. Do what's going to work best for you and keep you the safest.

Last year, we met up at D&J's for breakfast Saturday at 9 AM. Most of the wineries do not open until 11 AM. So, if we are on the road by 10:15 - 10:30, that should work fine. However, only tiger has chimed in on D&J. May I have some other thoughts? If those of you who are staying at hotels prefer to grab breakfast there, that's fine. Just say it. We can eat breakfast at our house before we go. Hopefully, we will be grazing enough all day at the wineries that we will not have to get anything more to eat before Seabar @ 7.

I'm flexible, but I basically will not be able to get out of Ithaca until 10pm at the earliest on friday anyway, so if the weather is going to be bed I would rather not chance going on the one lane roads in the dark due to ice. I'm flexible in terms of breakfast if it means I can get an extra hour of sleep, I'm all for skipping D&J, I just need to know what time would I need to get to B&D house.

Here is a tentative itinerary that ddeuddeg & I have come up with, starting with the Niagara College Teaching Winery, winding around a bit and ending up along the shores of Lake Ontario. Some people had expressed an interest in stopping at Palatine Hills. They are not participating in the Discovery Pass Food & Wine Pairings, but that doesn't mean that we can't stop there. ddeuddeg & I went up this past Saturday about 2 PM or so, and were able to stop at 5 places (one didn't ask for our ticket ) and made it to dinner at Stone Road Grille for 5 PM! These wineries are much closer together than in the past. Here is a link to the: descriptions page.

Niagara College Teaching Winery
135 Taylor Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-641-2252 ext. 4070 • niagaracollegewine.ca
January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 • 11am-5pm
The Dynamic Duo
Niagara College Teaching Winery and the Canadian Food & Wine Institute have put together a pairing that is sure to tantalize your taste buds! Enjoy a sample of our 2010 Cabernet Franc Icewine paired with salted caramel cheesecake for an experience your mouth won’t soon forget. $10 without a Discovery Pass.


Colaneri Estate Winery
348 Concession 6, Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-682-2100 • colaneriwines.com
January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 • 11am-5pm
Sweet & Spice, Recioto & Ice
 Our crescendo of sweetness that begins with a Select Late Harvest followed by “Mistera,”our recioto style dessert wine and ending with our liquid gold Icewine. The trilogy is beautifully paired with an array of soup, meat and Italian cheeses. $10 without a Discovery Pass.


Southbrook Vineyards
581 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-641-2548 • southbrook.com
January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 • 11am-5pm
Sweet & Salty
 Satiate both your salty and sweet cravings with a tempting pairing featuring our 2005 Vidal Icewine with a sinfully salty bacon Icewine cupcake! $10 without a Discovery Pass.


Between the Lines Family Estate Winery
991 Four Mile Creek Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-262-0289 • betweenthelineswinery.com
January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 • 11am-5pm
Sweet Treats Between the Lines
 Savour our white and dark chocolate truffles filled with our 2010 Gewürztraminer and 2011 Cabernet Franc Icewines. An unbelievably delicious treat best enjoyed in the great ambience of our wine cellar. Enjoy a sneak peak with our winemaker of the 2012 Icewines as they develop in tank. Weather permitting. $10 without a Discovery Pass.


PondView Estate Winery
925 Line 2, Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-468-0777 • pondviewwinery.com
January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 • 11am-5pm
Fire & Ice
Enjoy Vidal Icewine and Cabernet Franc Icewine in a dark chocolate cup. Pair these decadent desserts with blue cheese and our Fire & Ice wine jelly - a hot and spicy surprise! $10 without a Discovery Pass.


Konzelmann Estate Winery
1096 Lakeshore Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-935-2866 • konzelmann.ca
January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 • 11am-5pm
Train Wrecker Beans “Konzelmann Style” 
A Konzelmann staff favourite for Icewine time in Niagara. A winter warm up with a twist. Beans infused with our 2009 Vidal Icewine for the ultimate train wrecker beans accompanied by savoury focaccia bread. $10 without a Discovery Pass.


Hinterbrook Estate Winery
1181 Lakeshore Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-646-5133 • hinterbrook.com
January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 • 11am-5pm
Red Icewine & White Chocolate Custard: A Love Story
Fall in love with our 2010 Cabernet Franc Icewine, perfectly paired with a smooth white chocolate custard with Ontario strawberry coulis and Icewine reduction! $10 without a Discovery Pass.


Strewn Winery
1339 Lakeshore Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-468-1229 • strewnwinery.com
January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 • 11am-5pm
Icewine Crème Brûlée & Vidal Select Late Harvest
Enjoy an absolutely luscious ‘deconstructed’ Icewine crème brûlée with maple-oat crunch. It’s paired with an aromatic Strewn Vidal Select Late Harvest, with notes of apricot and orange, to create a match made in heaven! $10 without a Discovery Pass.

Discuss.

bahwm wrote:Here is a tentative itinerary that ddeuddeg & I have come up with, starting with the Niagara College Teaching Winery, winding around a bit and ending up along the shores of Lake Ontario. Some people had expressed an interest in stopping at Palatine Hills. They are not participating in the Discovery Pass Food & Wine Pairings, but that doesn't mean that we can't stop there. ddeuddeg & I went up this past Saturday about 2 PM or so, and were able to stop at 5 places (one didn't ask for our ticket ) and made it to dinner at Stone Road Grille for 5 PM! These wineries are much closer together than in the past. Here is a link to the: descriptions page.

Niagara College Teaching Winery
135 Taylor Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-641-2252 ext. 4070 • niagaracollegewine.ca
January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 • 11am-5pm
The Dynamic Duo
Niagara College Teaching Winery and the Canadian Food & Wine Institute have put together a pairing that is sure to tantalize your taste buds! Enjoy a sample of our 2010 Cabernet Franc Icewine paired with salted caramel cheesecake for an experience your mouth won’t soon forget. $10 without a Discovery Pass.


Colaneri Estate Winery
348 Concession 6, Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-682-2100 • colaneriwines.com
January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 • 11am-5pm
Sweet & Spice, Recioto & Ice
 Our crescendo of sweetness that begins with a Select Late Harvest followed by “Mistera,”our recioto style dessert wine and ending with our liquid gold Icewine. The trilogy is beautifully paired with an array of soup, meat and Italian cheeses. $10 without a Discovery Pass.


Southbrook Vineyards
581 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-641-2548 • southbrook.com
January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 • 11am-5pm
Sweet & Salty
 Satiate both your salty and sweet cravings with a tempting pairing featuring our 2005 Vidal Icewine with a sinfully salty bacon Icewine cupcake! $10 without a Discovery Pass.


Between the Lines Family Estate Winery
991 Four Mile Creek Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-262-0289 • betweenthelineswinery.com
January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 • 11am-5pm
Sweet Treats Between the Lines
 Savour our white and dark chocolate truffles filled with our 2010 Gewürztraminer and 2011 Cabernet Franc Icewines. An unbelievably delicious treat best enjoyed in the great ambience of our wine cellar. Enjoy a sneak peak with our winemaker of the 2012 Icewines as they develop in tank. Weather permitting. $10 without a Discovery Pass.
PondView Estate Winery
925 Line 2, Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-468-0777 • pondviewwinery.com
January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 • 11am-5pm
Fire & Ice
Enjoy Vidal Icewine and Cabernet Franc Icewine in a dark chocolate cup. Pair these decadent desserts with blue cheese and our Fire & Ice wine jelly - a hot and spicy surprise! $10 without a Discovery Pass.


Konzelmann Estate Winery
1096 Lakeshore Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-935-2866 • konzelmann.ca
January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 • 11am-5pm
Train Wrecker Beans “Konzelmann Style” 
A Konzelmann staff favourite for Icewine time in Niagara. A winter warm up with a twist. Beans infused with our 2009 Vidal Icewine for the ultimate train wrecker beans accompanied by savoury focaccia bread. $10 without a Discovery Pass.


Hinterbrook Estate Winery
1181 Lakeshore Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-646-5133 • hinterbrook.com
January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 • 11am-5pm
Red Icewine & White Chocolate Custard: A Love Story
Fall in love with our 2010 Cabernet Franc Icewine, perfectly paired with a smooth white chocolate custard with Ontario strawberry coulis and Icewine reduction! $10 without a Discovery Pass.


Strewn Winery
1339 Lakeshore Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-468-1229 • strewnwinery.com
January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 • 11am-5pm
Icewine Crème Brûlée & Vidal Select Late Harvest
Enjoy an absolutely luscious ‘deconstructed’ Icewine crème brûlée with maple-oat crunch. It’s paired with an aromatic Strewn Vidal Select Late Harvest, with notes of apricot and orange, to create a match made in heaven! $10 without a Discovery Pass.

Discuss.

vwsmaltz wrote:

Sounds good to us!

The itinerary looks great to us.

As far as breakfast, we are fine with whatever the majority wants to do. We are fine meeting at a restaurant or we will be fine with what the hotel has.

Dreading the long flight, but really excited about the weekend.