Canada is the top country to produce ice wines all around the world. Therefore, if you are a Canadian or a foreigner living in Canada, do not miss the chance to visit vineyards and wineries in Ontario. Here are the best vineyards and a festival in Niagara on the lake for ice wine.
Why Is Ice Wine In Niagara So Famous All Around The World?
Because of the region’s ideal climate, icewine has become known as Niagara’s frozen treasure. Warm summers are required for grape growth, followed by consistently cold winters that can freeze the water inside the grapes at the proper rate and temperature.
Why Are Ice Wine Bottles So Expensive?
Consider that frozen grapes must be harvested at a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius. Not only that, but the harvesting force must be large enough to complete the task in a few hours. Farmers’ costs and efforts are not insignificant.
In cold weather, people harvest grapes to make Ice wine. Not to mention the risks of the grapes rotting if the weather is not windy. And the government’s stringent guidelines for making Ice wine. All of this helps to explain why Ice wine is so expensive.
What Foods Match Well With Ice Wine?
Before serving, make sure your ice wine has been chilled to 10 degrees Celsius. Also, before pouring the wine, use a chilled tulip glass. Because of the typical fruity aroma of Ice wine, such as pineapple, papaya, and so on, it is suitable for cheesecakes, cream-covered cakes, and chocolate-covered cakes.
Vineyards And Wineries In Niagara, Ontario For Ice Wine
Peller Estates Winery
Peller Estates is one of my favorite vineyards in Niagara on the lake to try ice wine. It’s a stunning estate near Niagara-on-the-Lake with an amazing winery tour that also includes a visit to their frozen bar called 10 Below. It’s the ideal place to try ice wine in Canada.
Konzelmann Estate Winery
The Konzelmann Estate Winery is Niagara’s only lakefront vineyard. Konzelmann began in Germany (where ice wine originated), but after switching continents, they brought their expertise to Canada.
Konzelmann Estate, which specializes in Vidal varieties, has some of the best ice wine in Canada to try.
Rancourt Winery
Rancourt Winery is a family-owned and operated estate in the heart of Niagara. The best thing about Rancourt is that it is open seven days a week, has an amazing tasting room and offers guided tours.
As with most vineyards in Canada, they don’t just focus on ice wine and offer a variety of other wines to sample.
Chateau des Charmes
Chateau des Charmes produces some of Canada’s best Vidal ice wine, and it’s a vineyard that’s relatively easy to visit while in the Niagara region.
Join their Winegrowing Discovery Tour or their ‘Four @ Four’ tour, which includes four different wines and four o’clock in the afternoon.
Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery
Do you recognize the name (if you’re Canadian)? If not, Wayne Gretzky is a former ice hockey player who has dabbled in a variety of ventures across Ontario, with his Estates Winery & Distillery being just one of them.
Once you’ve arrived, sign up for one of the estate’s tours and try their Cabernet Franc ice wine. It’s absolutely delicious.
Between the Lines Winery
Between the Lines, Winery has two really nice ice wines to try (at least, my favorites) that I hope you enjoy. When you arrive at the estate, check to see if they have the 2016 Cabernet Franc Icewine or the 2016 Vidal Icewine, both of which are quite special.
Between the lines also offers something a little different with their events, which range from art tours to yoga and beneath-the-stars tours – they truly are unique.
Reif Estate Winery
Reif Estate’s Vidal ice wine has won numerous awards and is well-known in the region for its quality and taste. Best of all, you can visit the vineyard and estate to explore the gardens, grab a charcuterie board at the wine bar, or join one of their almost daily group or private tours.
Inniskillin Wines at the Brae Burn Estate
Inniskillin Wines is a great little spot to visit while in the Niagara region, located about a 25-minute drive from Niagara Falls. If you visit, make sure to try their Inniskillin Riesling varieties, which are ideal if you enjoy sweet wines.
Best of all, they host a special ice wine in Canada experience every weekend.
Niagara Ice Wine Festival: One Of The Best Festivals In Ontario
Okay, it’s not a vineyard or estate to visit, but it’s one of the best ways to sample a lot of ice wine in Canada. The Niagara Ice Wine Festival, which is usually held for about 2-3 weeks in January, has become something of a tradition in Niagara-on-the-Lake (around Queen Street).
Post for you Top 5 Canada’s Best Ice Wines You Should Try Once In Your Life