Niagara Peninsula VQA icewines have earned an international reputation as nothing less than the world's best. As many as (15) varietals have been frozen on the vine, picked in the dead of the winter's coldest nights and coaxed into those tall, skinny bottles.
Much has been written about the production of icewine, but the bottom line is - as it is with any wine - its quality depends largely on the quality of the grapes and the skills of the winemaker. And, the grape's terroir (sub-appellation, vineyard, climatology, brix) shows itself in the wine every bit as much as with any table wine.
Many - no most - Niagara wineries produce icewine - some a single varietal; others several types. Three varietals dominate Niagara's icewine production - vidal (as perfect a grape for icewine production as exists anywhere), riesling (without question the most representative Niagara icewine), and cabernet-franc (an increasingly popular, very-berry alternative).
Two Niagara wineries - the Ice House and Royal DeMaria - produce only icewines, some of the world's best judging by "Grand Gold" awards from the Monde Selection ( "the world’s most prestigious quality selection institute, the official judge of all European wines and symbolic of quality assurance" ).
Rest assured though - many Niagara wineries annually squeeze out world-class icewines, and the Niagara Grapevine favourites reflect a standard of excellence in winemaking throughout Niagara. Innumerable awards at the Ontario, Canadian and international wine events attest to that.
Not surprisingly, an entire "icewine culture" has emerged as a result of its international acclaim, Niagara's pride and the folklore surrounding its creation. The Niagara Icewine Festival staged in the dead of winter (January) celebrates the frozen-grape harvest and its singularly Canadian identity.
Outdoor events in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Jordan feature ice scultpures and icewine bars serving up samples and fanciful drinks made with icewines. Out-of-the-cold, wineries across Niagara feature structured tastings and icewine & food pairings throughout the festival days.
widely produced
limited production
widely produced
limited production
