Sweet wine, big flavor, tight timing. This 45-minute tasting at Between the Lines Winery pairs icewine with cheese and dessert, all guided by a host who talks you through what you’re tasting. One catch: the tasting room can get loud, so conversation needs a bit of patience when the room is busy.

I also like how the menu is built like a mini dinner. You start with Sparkling Eric Brut and aged cheddar, then move into basque cheesecake with Riesling icewine, and end with Cabernet Franc icewine paired with a dark chocolate brownie. It’s short, but it covers the whole icewine thing without turning it into a lecture.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Tasting: what you actually get in 45 minutes

This is a focused tasting stop, based out of Between the Lines Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The activity runs about 45 minutes, includes admission, and uses a mobile ticket. It’s a private setup for your group, so you’re not stuck in a big cattle-car lineup.

What makes this one feel special is the way the pours come with a full set of pairings. You’re not just sampling wine in isolation. You get a host, a sequence of three wines, and three food moments that are clearly meant to show you how sweet wine behaves with salt, fat, and chocolate.

You do need to factor in the obvious: this isn’t a bus tour. The price covers the tasting, not transportation or a walking tour. If you’re combining it with Niagara Falls sightseeing, plan to drive, taxi, or use public transportation to get yourself to 991 Four Mile Creek Rd.

Between the Lines Winery: a family estate tasting base

Between the Lines Winery is a family estate in Ontario wine country that produces premium VQA wines and icewines. In practice, that means the tasting is rooted in the place, not just a generic pours-and-grapes story.

The tasting area is set up for calm sipping, and several people praised it as clean and well kept. A few also mentioned the casks and general vibe of the room, which makes it feel more like a real winery visit than a tasting counter.

One note before you go: if you’re the type who needs quiet to hear every word, keep an eye on the room’s energy level. One person specifically called out that the winery was loud enough to make it harder to hear the server and even friends at times. You can still enjoy it—just be ready to ask follow-up questions when the pace slows.

Sparkling Eric Brut + aged cheddar: the clever warm-up

Your first pour is a glass of Sparkling Eric Brut. It comes paired with aged cheddar, and that pairing is doing more work than it looks like.

Sparkling wine gives you acidity and bubbles. Aged cheddar brings salt, umami, and a little crunch of flavor. Together, they set up your palate so icewine later doesn’t feel like a sugar wall.

Why this matters: when your mouth is primed with something salty and slightly sharp, sweet wine has less chance to feel flat. Instead, it tastes structured. You also get a sense of the winery’s style right away: start crisp, then head toward the dessert wines.

Riesling Icewine + basque cheesecake: when sweet turns silky

Next up is a bite of basque cheesecake paired with Riesling Icewine. Basque cheesecake typically leans rich—creamy, slightly caramelized on top, and heavy in that satisfying way you usually associate with dessert first.

That sweetness-and-fat combo is exactly why icewine pairing makes sense. Riesling icewine tends to carry vivid acidity under the sweetness, so it doesn’t just sit on your tongue. It helps “lift” the richness instead of burying it.

Also, this is a smart part of the sequence for first-timers. If you’ve never had icewine, this is where it clicks. You’re tasting a wine that’s made for slow sipping, while the cheesecake gives you a familiar anchor. If the sparkling-and-cheese start is the warm-up set, this is the moment where you realize icewine can taste smooth, not sticky.

Cabernet Franc Icewine + dark chocolate brownie: the finish with gravity

The tasting ends with Cabernet Franc Icewine paired with a dark chocolate brownie. This is the richest stop in the menu, and it works because both items share deep, dark flavors—chocolate, cocoa bitterness, and that “dessert” feeling.

Chocolate can be tricky with wine. Too much sweetness can make chocolate taste bland, and too much tannin can make it taste harsh. The pairing here is a practical attempt at balance: the brownie gives cocoa intensity, and the icewine brings sweetness with enough structure to keep the flavors from clashing.

Several people specifically mentioned icewine as the star, including comments about enjoying both the red and white icewines. That aligns with the tasting’s structure: you get Riesling (white) and Cabernet Franc (red), so you taste icewine in more than one style.

Your host experience: what names like Paul and Paola add

Wine tastings rise or fall on the host. Here, the host part is not just window dressing.

I’ve seen multiple guide names show up in the experience feedback—people highlighted different servers and all pointed to the same thing: they explained what you were tasting and kept the experience personable. Paul came up in praise for being friendly and very knowledgeable. Paola was described as welcoming and made the whole tasting feel memorable, with a clear explanation of the icewine process. Rolf was called out as excellent, and Rachel was praised for sharing vineyard history and family-style context.

What you should take from that: if you like asking questions—how icewine is made, how to taste it, what foods pair well—this is the kind of tasting where you’ll actually get a useful answer, not a scripted one.

And there’s a practical bonus: one person described being able to taste extra options without extra charges after arriving early, which shows the staff is willing to adjust when they can. That’s not a promise, but it signals the vibe.

Pricing and value: is $22.94 a good deal?

At $22.94 per person, you’re paying for more than “a few sips.” The included menu is a real mini set:

• 1 glass of Sparkling Eric Brut
• 2 glasses of icewine
• Cheese (aged cheddar)
• Basque cheesecake
• Dark chocolate brownie

That’s the value angle. If you were to buy those items separately, the math usually hurts—especially once you factor in the cost of wine and paired food at a winery setting.

Also, the duration matters. In about 45 minutes, you get a full tasting arc: crisp start, sweet white moment, sweet red finish. If you want icewine but don’t want a half-day commitment, this price sits in the sweet spot for a first Niagara-on-the-Lake winery experience.

Logistics that matter: private group, mobile ticket, no shuttle

This activity is private for your group, which is great if you want a more relaxed pace and fewer people talking over each other. You’ll get a mobile ticket, which is handy if you don’t want paper.

What you should plan: transportation isn’t included. The tour also doesn’t include a walking tour. So if you want to explore beyond the winery grounds, build that into your own schedule.

The good news is the meeting location is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, too, so the basics are covered.

Pairing tips I’d use if I were doing this again

Icewine can be new territory. Here’s how I’d keep it enjoyable and not just sweet.

First, take small sips first, especially once you reach the dessert rounds. Icewine is intense. Small tastes let you notice acidity and flavor instead of getting overwhelmed.

Second, use the food order. Start with cheddar before the first icewine. Then follow the cheesecake, then finish with the brownie. That order is doing palate work for you.

Third, ask for tasting guidance when the host is free. One review explicitly praised hosts for explaining how to properly taste wine, including pairing food with wine. If you want to learn something you’ll use later, this is the moment to request it.

Who should book this tasting, and who might skip it

Book it if you want an easy Niagara wine-country experience that’s focused on icewine and dessert pairings. It’s ideal for couples, anniversaries, and anyone who wants a memorable stop without a long drive-in, walk-around, and wait for a big tour group.

Skip or consider carefully if you’re extremely sensitive to noise. One reviewer said the winery was loud enough to make it difficult to hear. The tasting still works, but if you need quiet, you may have to time it differently or accept that conversation will be a little harder.

Also, if you’re not into sweet wines, this might not be your best match. The tasting is built around icewine and dessert pairings, with sweetness as the theme.

Should you book Niagara’s Decadent Sparkling and Icewine Tasting?

I think this is a strong choice if you want a short, well-paced introduction to icewine that includes actual food pairings. You get the full arc—sparkling, Riesling icewine, and Cabernet Franc icewine—with cheese, basque cheesecake, and a dark brownie so you’re tasting it in context, not in isolation.

Book it if:

• you’re curious about icewine and want a first “try it” menu
• you want a host-led experience with guidance
• you’re traveling around Niagara-on-the-Lake and want a practical 45-minute stop

Don’t book it if:

• you only want dry wines
• you need a quiet room to hear every word

If you’re unsure, that sweetness-heavy lineup is the deciding factor. If dessert wines sound fun instead of intimidating, this is exactly the kind of Niagara stop that leaves you with a smile—and maybe an icewine purchase plan for later.

FAQ

How long is the Niagara icewine tasting?

The tasting lasts about 45 minutes.

Where does the tasting take place?

It starts at Between The Lines Winery, 991 Four Mile Creek Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, Canada. It ends back at the meeting point.

How much does it cost?

The price is $22.94 per person.

What’s included in the tasting?

It includes 1-glass Sparkling Wine, 2-glasses of Icewine, cheese, basque cheesecake, and a dark chocolate brownie, plus a winery host.

Is transportation included?

No. Bus/shuttle/private transportation is not included.

Is this a private experience?

Yes. Only your group will participate.

What’s the booking format?

You’ll receive a mobile ticket.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Is there a walking tour included?

No. A walking tour is not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid will not be refunded.