Word of caution about Imiskillen Ice Wine in the F&W booth in Canada!

[dznymom1]

I will add to this, I have actually picked the grapes that are used to make Icewine and happen to live only a few minutes away from Inniskillin Winery.

Laura, I am so envious! The Niagara Region is absolutely gorgeous and I wish we had planned more time to enjoy it. I was shocked by the number of wineries there are, and they offer bus and private car tours so you can enjoy sampling safely. I plan to go back next year. For anyone who has never been, it really is worth the trip!

We are skipping PFTS this year, but I plan to attend more of the free seminars than I did last year (I kept getting distracted - go figure). I sure hope Inniskillin has seminars while I am there, and I wouldn't mind if some of the other Niagara wineries were there!

Now, on my trip next month I wouldn't mind a bit of Icewine, but we are not planning on Le Cellier because of the free dining madness. I believe the little sample bar in Germany serves Icewein, but does anyone know of other places where we might find some? This is an adult trip, and will be centered around relaxation, beer and wine, with most of our meals being snacks in lounges.

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

Are all the samples of wine, etc at the F&WF 1oz?

 

[goodeats]

We went to a local winebar and I ordered a glass of icewine due to the reviews here. I didn't realize how sweet it was! Yuck. It tasted like alcholic apple cider to me.

 

[misslissa]

I will add to this, I have actually picked the grapes that are used to make Icewine and happen to live only a few minutes away from Inniskillin Winery. The process is as follows:




Grapes are left on the vine well into the winter months. The resulting freezing and thawing of the grapes dehydrates the fruit, and concentrates the sugars, acids, and extracts in the berries, thereby intensifying the flavours and adding complexity to the wine made from it.

Genuine icewine must follow VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) regulations that prohibit any artificial freezing of grapes. The grapes are painstakingly picked BY HAND in their natural frozen state, ideally at temperatures of -10 to -13 degrees C -- sometimes the picking must be done at night to take advantage of the temperature. Yields are very low, often as little as 5-10 percent of normal.

The frozen grapes are pressed in the extreme cold. The water in the juice remains frozen as ice crystals, and only a few drops of sweet concentrated juice is obtained. This juice is then fermented very slowly for several months, stopping naturally.

The finished icewine is intensely sweet and flavorful in the initial mouth sensation. The balance is achieved by the acidity, which gives a clean, dry finish. The nose of icewine recalls lychee nuts. The wine tastes of tropical fruits, with shadings of peach nectar and mango.


Icewine is typically a dessert wine and served in small portion (apperitif) The price range differs depending on the year, yield etc., usually between 49.95 and 69.95 per 375 ml., although much more expensive bottles are also available. If you have never tried it, it is definately worth trying especially after a nice meal, definately worth $4.50.

Hope this helps.

Hey! Yes, I don't even know why California would try to make icewine. Canada has really high standards for it... as does Germany (we stole the idea!) and so I can't believe that they would even have the proper climate to try and imitate!

Anyway, I also grew up near Inniskillin in St. Catharines!!! Only about 5 minutes away Nice to hear another out there.

 

[misslissa]

Laura, thank you so much for posting your experiences here!! AWESOME!! I love the dis!!

I said it before (pg 1) I'll say it again - Ice wine is special (read Laura's post) and is so worth every penny!! Indescribable!!

I hope... HOPE ... we'll be able to have the Ice wine again at this years Party for the Senses!!

A local wine distributer here near Chicago did a "Food and Wine" festival.. and a California Winery brought their "Ice Wine"... ummmm I dont THINK so.. It tasted.. maybe similiar to Ice Wine, but... it lacked so much.. body, flavor...

I know other Canadians have posted that the Innisken isnt a "top of the line " ice wine, but more "middle" - trust me, compared to the Calif. sample I tasted.. I cant wait till F&W!!!

and I often CANT wait, and do pay the $ 5 outside for the sample of Ice wine, for me, its so well worth it!!

Inniskillin may not be top of the line according to some, but coming from Niagara, it certainly is really good! I don't know what other top of the line stuff they could be talking about...

And, for those of you interested, and don't mind being outside in the freezing cold... check this out!!! http://www.grapeandwine.com/

Niagara has a Grape and Wine Festival for two weeks in September and an Icewine Festival in January for two weeks. They are absolutely excellent. They both offer "hubs" where all icewines/wines can be tasted and then also you can purchase "passports" where you travel around the region from winery to winery trying each different wine and food pairing. Always has been a great way to spend a few afternoons for DF and I!

 

[liamsaunt]

Are all the samples of wine, etc at the F&WF 1oz?

No, just the icewine, because it is so sweet, and intended as a dessert. The other wine pours are 3-4 ounces, I believe.