![]() ![]() ![]() All of the elements that are needed for flavor such as the solids, skins and sugars remain unfrozen and incorporated within the juices underneath the ice, thus retaining the sweetness. Unlike these styles, ice wines don't need what is called noble rot or botrytis to make the wine sweet. It's important to note that ice wines are very different than other dessert wines such as Tokaji and Sauternes. What you're left with is a very concentrated and flavorsome juice. This process ensures the vines will be extra sweet, as they are pressed immediately so that the frozen ice (what would be water) floats to top of the juice in the vat and can be scooped out with ease. They are then pressed immediately while still in their frozen state, which usually means the entire procedure must be carried out overnight and can be quite costly. The grapes are only hand picked from the vines when they are completely frozen (usually at about -10☌/14☏). ![]() Most grapes are harvested when the weather is most bearable, but for ice wines, it's the opposite. If the cold weather and frost don't show, the whole crop is likely to rot and be rendered useless. Ice wines have been labelled as some of the most risk-bearing wines to produce, given how they heavily rely on a regular pattern of frost each year. The flavor characteristics are normally associated with rich honey, hay and a clean freshness that you don't get from any other type of dessert wine. They are most commonly produced from Riesling and Vidal grapes, although you can technically produce an ice wine from any type of grape, even red. Here are some of the best from this year’s IWSC.Due to its very concentrated nature and unique production method, good quality ice wines come with higher price tags. If you’re a sweet-wine fan and want something different to a Sauternes or Tokaji, Canadian sweet wines are where to head. In charge of proceedings were Masters of Wine Dirceu Vianna Junior and John Hoskins, ably assisted by JetVine director Kelly Stevenson, writer and presenter Helena Nicklin and Master Sommeliers Matthieu Longuere and Stefan Neumann. This particular bottle wowed the judges with aromas of strawberry, cherry and toffee, with mouth-watering acidity balancing the rich palate of barley sugar and plum.įinally, No.99 Vidal Icewine 2019 from Wayne Gretzky Estates – the winery founded by the legendary ice hockey player – took a Gold (96/100pts) thanks to its opulent notes of stem ginger, rose petals and sugar crystals, with burnt butter and sticky honey on the palate.Įach bottle of Canadian sweet wine entered into this year’s IWSC was tasted blind by a first-class panel of experts. Inniskillin, located near Niagara Falls, was the first winery in Canada to launch following Prohibition, and was among the first to make icewine. The judges loved its inviting nose of apricot, quince and mango, along with its zesty, honeyed palate and long, elegant finish.Īnother high scorer was Inniskillin Niagara Cabernet Franc Icewine 2019 (96/100pts). Top of the list was Andrew Peller Signature Series Riesling Icewine 2019 from Peller Estates Winery, which scored an impressive 97/100pts and scooped a Gold medal. This year’s IWSC saw an exceptionally strong line-up of Canadian sweet wines. ![]()
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