Situated on the lower slopes of the Niagara Escarpment, Tawse is a family-owned organic and biodynamic winery, voted Canada’s Winery of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2016. Founder Moray Tawse purchased 6 acres on the Cherry Avenue property in 2001. In 2005 he opened his state-of-the-art winery, complete with a six-level, gravity-flow design, geo-thermal system and a wetland bio-filter. The inspiration for his first Niagara property came from his love of Burgundian Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Uniting traditional winemaking techniques with state-of-the-art technology, Tawse is dedicated to producing terroir-driven wines of exceptional elegance, depth and character.
Source: Tawse Winery web site
Forêt Vive Sugar Shack
Jean-Étienne Poirier, an amazing anthropologist, makes maple syrup with great skill.
Fortunately, I arrived well awake. As soon as we met, a ton of information came from his method to collect maple water, his way to calibrate his system so that the water transformed into syrup is a perfect 7°C higher than boiling water. Jean-Étienne explains how wood heating adds personality to his nectar, why he calibrates his system according to the atmospheric pressure, how he classifies his different batches which are tasted to great chefs, oenologists in order to describe the dominant flavors.
When I ask him what is in the stove of his wood stove, I am entitled to a eulogy imprinted with an enthusiasm on the virtues of the chaga, champion of mushrooms.
The benefits of chaga
This fungus helps to improve health and vitality. Rich in vitamin B, flavonoids, phenols, minerals and enzymes. So you say it’s gibberish, but chaga is the food that contains the most antioxidants (25%). Its high content of superoxide dismutase (an antioxidant enzyme) gives it a powerful action against the aging of the body. And like any superfood, it is nontoxic and has no side effects, which can be consumed by everyone, every day and at will. It is also a source of pantothenic acid, a vitamin essential to the well-being of the adrenal glands and digestive organs. source: Femme Actuelle
I went back to my studio with my photos but also richer of a new friend and a big chunk of chaga.
