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It is going to stay chilly for the weekend but cold is good for other things…like beer.

On Saturday, February 21st you can “See what’s behind the beer” with a tour and tasting at the Walkerville Brewing Company (525 Argyle Road, Windsor). Tours start at 1pm and go to 5pm and it is FREE!

Fresh beer is available for purchase on your way out.

If you want to make an afternoon of it, stop in to Canadian Club Brand Centre (Riverside & Devonshire) from noon to 6pm for a very interesting tour and tasting. It’s only $5/person. Open Friday and Saturday only.

Then pick one of Walkerville’s great restaurants to sit down, discuss the tastes and relax for the rest of the day. Try The Kildare House (pub), Taloola Cafe (cafe/vegetarian-friendly) or the Gourmet Emporium (tapas).
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Canadian Club Whiskey, Walkerville Brewing Company

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So this weekend is supposed to be special because it is Valentine’s Day but I do not care a whole lot about that; I just love weekends because I do not usually have to work and I get to explore our region. There are so many great events this weekend and you can always check my events calendar for events related to local food topics.

Here are the events I want to attend and they are all this Saturday (Feb. 14th):

• Food for Thought Forum (McGregor): 11am, Essex Steam & Gas Engine Museum – Alex Atamanenko, MP for British Columbia Southern Interior, and Agriculture Critic for the New Democratic Party; Federal NDP candidate Taras Natyshak; roundtable discussion, state of our food source and local economy, empowering local producers, etc.
• Winter Weekends @ Sanson Winery (McGregor): 11-5pm, Sanson Estate Winery – Sweet deals on Icewine & late harvest wine; chocolate mousse tarts from Chef Laura Giberson of Caldwell’s Grant in Amherstburg; fresh beef & pork; summer sausage is back!
• WindsorEats.com Valentine’s Skate (Windsor): 4-9pm, Lanspeary Park - free ice skating; buy some yummies like crepes from Creperie Omer, soup from Black Kettle Bistro and hot chocolate & cider from WindsorEats.com; bring the family!

The Sanson event is Sunday too and they will have events right through until the end of March. When they have specifics to give, I will add it here or to the calendar.

Happy Valentine’s Day!
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Caldwell's Grant, Sanson Estate Winery, WindsorEats.com, forum

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Look for farm fresh, free range eggs now available at Sanson Estate Winery. While there, try the Berkshire bacon or a nice ham. I have got myself thinking about a delicious breakfast already!

If you are in Windsor, stop in to Olde Riverside Schwab’s for local meat deals:

• Schinkel’s Legacy bacon ($4.49/lb)
• Schinkel’s Legacy Black Forest Ham ($3.99/lb)

They have lots of local sausages and pre-made dinners too. You really need to stop in.

Now customers can also enjoy lunch from the deli with a fresh sandwich, soup & beverage (pop, juice or water) for $4.50. Probably some of the healthiest (and tastiest) fast food going. I’m very excited about this and cannot wait to try it!
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Olde Riverside Schwab's

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Along with the great weather that we are expecting, there are a lot of events going on this Friday and Saturday that are sure to make your weekend spectacular. Pack up your family and friends and plan a fun day out!

• Glide Through Winter @ Sprucewood Shores Winery (Harrow): 12-5 on Saturday only; wine, ice skating
  
• Festival of Ice @ Colio Winery (Harrow): 11-4 on Saturday and Sunday; ice carvers, cheese, chocolate, bake sale, wine; please bring a canned good for entry (from me: think of everything you have and everything you are getting for free and please consider bringing a case of canned goods!)
• Icewine Festival @ Pelee Winery (Kingsville): 11-5 on Saturday and Sunday; chocolate, cheese, wine
• Icewine & Sweet Deals @ Sanson Estate Winery (McGregor): 11-5 on Saturday and Sunday; samples, sweet wine deals, meal ideas, recipe contest
• Fire on Ice @ Aleksander Winery (Ruthven): 1-5 on Sunday only; bonfire, fruit flambe, wine, Valentine’s baskets

Remember, all of our wineries are family-friendly and you should dress warmly for watching some of the events that will take place outside.

I only list local food-related events though, so if you want to know everything that is going on, you need to go to a full-service calendar like the one at WindsorEats.com. Not only will you see that there is something to do every day, many of these events are free or low-cost. Welcome to our great region!
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Aleksander Estate Winery, Colio Estate Wines, D'Angelo Winery, Pelee Island Winery, Sanson Estate Winery, Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery, Windsor Eats, icewine