It’s a Winter Wine Wonderland this month in Niagara, with the next three weekends celebrating Ontario award-winning icewine.
With an evening gala, ornate ice bars, cheese seminars, ice skating and winery tours, the 21st Annual Niagara Icewine Festival will see a range of decadent events popping the cork on all things “liquid gold”.
Liquid gold (icewine) is made from grapes that have naturally frozen on the vine, and picked once the thermometer drops to -8° C or lower. The Wineries of NOTL website explains that the frozen grapes are “handpicked and pressed immediately to gently release a single drop of thick, rich, yellow-gold liquid, highly concentrated in natural sugars and acidity.” Thus, “the yield is small, but the result is a sumptuous and perfectly sweet wine.”
The region received some notable recognition recently, with a New York Times article describing Niagara as a “wine region of depth, diversity and distinction.” Whether you’ve been before or not, the Niagara Icewine Festival may be the perfect time for a visit to the region with such recognized depth: icewines made in Niagara-on-the-Lake continually take home top awards at competitions around the globe.
Check out CHCH’s video, as they visit Niagara to show viewers what the festival is all about.
If wine paired with cheese is what you’re looking for, the Dairy Farmers of Canada have you covered with Wine & Cheese seminars over all 3 weekends. Peruse through the calendar for more upcoming events from January 15-31.
It’s getting cold out there – you might as well enjoy it!