Canada is the world’s largest producer of ice wine thanks to its consistently cold winters. If you’ve never had ice wine before, it’s a wine made from the juice of naturally frozen grapes. These grapes are left on the vine well into the cold winter months and harvested by hand, often at night. The majority of ice wine in Canada comes from Ontario and British Columbia with a handful of producers in Nova Scotia and Quebec.
Ice wine explained
The key to authentic ice wine is temperature, and it needs to be pretty chilly in order for grapes to freeze to the temperature needed to make ice wine. That temperature should be -8 C or lower, at which point the grapes are both harvested and pressed. Due to the precise nature of harvest, and the fact it’s done under such extreme conditions, not to mention how little juice can be extracted from frozen grapes, ice wine is some of the most expensive wine in the world.
The complex flavours of ice wine develop as the grapes freeze, thaw and re-freeze on the vine before they’re harvested. Ice wine is naturally sweet which is why it’s known as a “dessert wine” but there is acidity too to help balance things out. Ice wine is served chilled either with dessert, added to cocktails or served on its own to cap off a meal. It goes very well with rich, strong flavours.
Hainle Vineyards Estate Winery, in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley was the first producer of ice wine in North America. While they’re focus has since shifted, there are many wineries in Canada that produce ice wine. If you’re intrigued or you’re a long-time fan of ice wine, we’re sharing some of the wineries in Canada producing the best ice wine.
Peller Estates, Ontario
Peller Estates Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake produces many types of wine, including ice wine. Their roster of ice wines include a Vidal, a Riesling, a Cabernet Franc, an oak aged, and an Ice Cuvée. They offer an ice wine and cuisine tour Saturdays and Sundays at 4p.m. which pairs four ice wines with four food items, and explains how to use ice wine in various recipes.
Domaine des Cotes d’Ardoise, Quebec
The oldest vineyard in Quebec that is still in operation, Domaine des Cotes d’Ardoise, produces two ice wines. Givrée d’Ardoise Blanc is a Vidal ice wine with notes of litchi, apricot, apple and grapefruit, and Givrée d’Ardoise Rosé is made from Maréchal Foch and Vidal grapes and its pink hue comes from the blending of red and white grapes. There are several wine tasting packages available, which you can learn more about by calling the winery.
Summerhill Pyramid Winery, British Columbia
Summerhill, located in Kelowna, British Columbia, is known as one of Canada’s most visited wineries. The winery follows organic growing practices and produces white, red, sparkling and ice wine. Of the ice wines, there is a Merlot, a Riesling, a Zweigelt, a Pinot Noir and a Syrah. The wine shop is open daily for tastings, and tours are offered daily from noon to 2p.m.
Inniskillin, Ontario
Inniskillin Winery has been producing wine for more than 35 years and has wineries in both Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario and the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. Inniskillin Okanagan focuses strictly on Riesling, while Inniskillin Niagara produces Vidal ice wine, Riesling ice wine, Cabernet Franc ice wine and a sparkling ice wine. Inniskillin Niagara has an ice wine tasting bar where you can learn about ice wine and purchase samples for $5 to $10, or get a flight of four to try for $35.
Domaine de Grand Pré, Nova Scotia
Domaine de Grand Pré is located in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. Ice wine produced here includes a Vidal, a Muscat and an Ortega, which is fermented in oak. There is a restaurant on site if you want to have lunch or dinner after visiting the winery, and tours are offered mid-May to mid-October.
Reif Estate Winery, Ontario
Also located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Reif Estate Winery produces a wide range of wines including several award-winning ice wines. They produced their first vintage of Vidal ice wine in 1984, and a 10 acre block of their 125 acre vineyard is dedicated to ice wine. In addition to drinking ice wine on its own, they suggest pouring it over berries or ice cream. They offer several themed tastings, including wine and chocolate, or the tasting bar in the wine boutique is open daily if there’s something you want to sample.
Vignoble de la Riviere du Chene
Quebec’s Vignoble de la Riviere du Chene is located just 30 minutes from Montreal and would make a great day trip if you happen to be visiting Montreal. Monde, their award winning ice wine, is made mostly of Vidal grapes and is best enjoyed with cheese, foie gras, fruit desserts or simply on its own. Tastings are available at the wine boutique and tours are offered from June to the end of October.
Jost Vineyard, Nova Scotia
Jost Vinyards is located on the north coast of Nova Scotia in Malagash, about a two hour trip from Halifax. They are the largest and longest operating vineyard in the Atlantic region and are situated on more than 100 acres. Jost produces several ice wines, including a Muscat ice wine, an award winning Vidal ice wine and a whiskey barrel aged Ortega ice wine. Tour are available from June to September.
Ganton and Larsen Prospect Winery, British Columbia
British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley is home to Ganton and Larsen Prospect Winery. They produce an award winning Vidal ice wine called “The Lost Bars”. Notes include baked pear, caramel and spice, balanced out by citrus notes. They suggest paring their ice wine with dried fruit and mild cheeses, or enjoying it as an aperitif.
Lead photo: Mya
