Icewine is made from grapes that have been left to freeze naturally on the vine, and Ontario is a leading producer, for obvious reasons, but also for its increasing global recognition when it comes to wine production.
To produce Icewine, summers must be hot and winters must be cold and sharp. Of all the wine-producing regions in the world, only Ontario has a winter climate sufficiently cold enough to ensure an Icewine crop every year.
Read Also: The cool facts on Canadian Icewine
Icewine is best made when immediately pressed from frozen grapes, creating a very concentrated and flavourful juice. Vidal is seen as the more traditional grape used for Icewine, but winemakers are also seeing excellent results when using riesling grapes and gewurtztraminer for white wines, and cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon grapes for red Icewine. People are largely impressed by the intense and complex fruit flavours that these wines are producing.
A little Icewine goes a long way in making cocktails or recipes, too! Try adding a small amount of Ontario VQA Icewine to your next cocktail and be amazed by its burst of complex flavour.
Recently, VineRoutes was invited to attend an Icewine cocktail seminar and sampling event, put on by Wine Country Ontario. Below are five of our favourites that we think you should experiment with:
Cold Fashioned
- 1 oz VQA Red Icewine
- 1 oz Canadian Whisky
- Cherries and orange slices for garnish
In a rocks glass with ice, stir VQA Red Icewine and whisky together. Garnish with cherries and orange slices. (Also pictured above.)
Red Icicle
- 1½ oz VQA Vidal Icewine
- 2 oz Pomegranate juice
- 2 oz Ginger ale
- Pomegranate seeds for garnish
In a rocks glass with ice, add VQA Vidal Icewine, pomegranate juice, and ginger ale. Garnish with pomegranate seeds.
Icewine Cosmopolitan
- 1 oz VQA Vidal or Riesling Icewine
- 1 oz Premium Vodka
- ½ oz Grand Marnier
- 1 ½ oz Cranberry juice
- ½ oz lime juice
- Citrus peel for garnish
Pour VQA Icewine, vodka, Grand Marnier, cranberry and lime juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously, then strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a citrus peel.
Icewine Grand Prix
- 1 oz VQA Red Icewine
- 1 oz Premium Vodka
- ½ oz Grand Marnier
- Orange peel for garnish
Pour VQA Red Icewine, vodka and Grand Marnier over ice in a cocktail mixer or shaker. Stir gently, then strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with an orange peel.
A Canadian in Manhattan
- ½ oz VQA Riesling or Vidal Icewine
- 1 oz bourbon
- ½ oz maple syrup
- Maraschino cherry for garnish
To a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add bourbon, maple syrup, and VQA Icewine. Stir and strain into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
*All photos and videos courtesy of Wine Country Ontario.
