Ontario can justifiably claim to be the world’s largest producer of icewine, with some 40 to 50 wineries, depending on the vintage, involved in the business of turning frozen, desiccated grapes into lusciously sweet wine. But it was British Columbia that was the first region to produce this dessert wine in Canada.
Where is ice wine made?
Icewine – or ‘Eiswein’ – is a type of sweet wine, originally made in Germany and Austria, but also more recently in Canada and China. The grapes are left on the vine into the winter, and eventually the water in the grapes will freeze.
Was ice wine invented in Canada?
Ice wine was first produced in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia by German immigrant Walter Hainle in 1972. This ice wine was the result of an early and unexpected frost, and yielded 40 litres (8.8 imp gal; 11 US gal) of wine, which Hainle originally did not intend to sell, although he did so in 1978.
Who makes ice wine in Canada?
Pillitteri Estates Winery is Canada’s largest estate producer of Icewine, using the Vidal, Riesling and Gewürztraminer varieties to produce Icewine that is exported to more than twelve countries worldwide.
What countries produce ice wine?
Ice wines are widely distributed in cold regions. Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, and China are producers of these wines. These wines are included in top international level quality premium wines because of their peculiar and delicate sensory features.
What country makes the best ice wine?
Canada
Today, Canada with its long, bitterly cold winters and warmer summers is the biggest ice wine producer in the world, followed by Germany. France, otherwise the wine capital of the world, produces very little ice wine due to its warmer weather. And most of it comes from the Alsace region.
Where is ice wine produced in Canada?
Ontario
Ice wine was first produced in Canada in 1972 in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. However, it was first produced for commercial purposes in Ontario’s Niagara-on-the-Lake wine region in 1984. Since then, Ontario has been the undisputed global leader in ice wine production.
What is Canada’s famous wine?
Inniskillin Wines
One of the most internationally well-known Canadian wineries, Inniskillin also attracts more than 250,000 tourists to their wineries each year.
Is ice wine made in the US?
Icewine requires consistent, reliably cold temps, which is why it’s produced in Germany and Austria as well as Canada, New York’s Finger Lakes region, and even Michigan. If the icebox weather doesn’t cooperate in any of these countries, the winemaker may actually skip wine season.
Which country is the world’s largest producer of ice wine?
Canada and Germany are the world’s largest producers of ice wines, and about 75% of the ice wine in Canada comes from Ontario. But ice wine is also made in European countries where frosts can be guaranteed.
Is ice wine cheaper in Canada?
Because it’s so hard to make and so little is made from the harvested fruit, Icewine tends to be very expensive and is offered in half-bottles. However, stopping at the Duty Free Canada shop before you cross the border can save you a pretty penny, with savings of up to 50%.
Where is ice wine made in BC?
the Okanagan Valley
British Columbia can lay claim to a wine style, too — icewine. Throughout the Okanagan Valley, which lies about five hours east of Vancouver, winemakers produce award-winning rich reds and floral whites.
Is Canadian ice wine sweet?
As mentioned, ice wine is very sweet. It can come in a variety of flavours, like fruit flavours and chocolate flavour. This makes it great to sip while enjoying dessert. Ice wine’s sweetness also makes it best paired with rich flavoured foods, like cheese and foie gras.
Is ice wine good for you?
Ice wine usually has slightly lower alcohol content than regular table wine. Some Riesling ice wines from Germany have alcohol content as low as 6%. Drinking ice wine can lower blood pressure, have a protective effect on the cardiovascular system, reduce the risk of myocardial infarction.
How many grapes does it take to make one bottle of ice wine?
So there you go. Somewhere between 400 and 500 grapes to make a bottle of wine.
How do you store Canadian ice wine?
Icewine unopened and stored on it side in a consistent and cool place (55-65 °F or 12-18 °C ) and away from vibrations can keep for many years. How long will an open bottle of Icewine last? Due to the high sugar content, an open bottle of icewine will last 3-5 days after opening if re-corked and stored in the fridge.
Is 20 year old ice wine still good?
“Some ice wines can last for 20 to 30 years.” Also impact the survival prospects of your wine is its quality, the vintage and the grapes used. The better the wine, the longer it will last. Ice wines, like most dessert wines, tend to store well because of their residual sugars and lively acidity, Kaiser-Smit says.
How do you drink Canadian ice wine?
How to Drink Icewine | 5 Easy Steps
- When sipping, avoid icewine contact with the tip of your tongue.
- Take bigger sips.
- Incorporate air and swish the icewine around your mouth.
- Let the sip linger on your palate.
- Let your palate rest.
Why do they call it ice wine?
Ice plays a major role in the reason that Ice Wine is called ice wine, but the reason may surprise you. This super sweet wine is supposed to be served chilled, but that’s not why it’s called Ice Wine, the real reason is that the grapes used to produce this wine need to be harvested when they are frozen to the vine.
Does Canada produce sparkling wine?
“It is noteworthy that Canada makes sparkling wine from so many different grape varieties: from the traditional Champagne varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Pinot meunier, as well as Riesling, Pinot blanc, Chenin blanc, Gamay and even Cabernet franc, along with hybrids like L’Acadie Blanc and Frontenac that are
Where is Wayne Gretzky wine made?
Niagara-on-the-Lake
The new Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake is now open! Nestled among the vineyards, the distillery is home to state of the art distilling equipment, while the winery features a beautiful barrel fermenting and aging cellar and tasting room.