Ice wine in the Niagara region

There are more than 70 wineries in the Niagara region, as it's at the same latitude as Bordeaux and the Napa Valley and is an hour's drive south of Toronto, making it a popular weekend destination. Many bed and breakfasts and hotels have their own vineyards, including Riverbend Inn , a renovated 1860s Georgian mansion. Staying at Riverbend is like channelling Scarlett O'Hara: grand staircases, sky-high ceilings and french doors opening on to marble balconies. Deer graze between the vines and some nights you can hear coyotes howl.

The Niagara Peninsula is the world's largest producer of ice wine, made from frozen grapes picked in winter, at wineries such as Pillitteri Estate (run by Australian wine master Dr Mark Bradshaw) and Inniskillin. The Niagara Wine Festival September is one of the largest in Canada. A 10-day ice-wine festival is held in January and the Niagara New Vintage Festival in June.