December is harvest time for ice wine in the Okanagan region of western Canada.

[elleng]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/31/AR2009123101313.html?hpid=features1&hpv=local&sid=ST2009123101767

[Stinky The Clown]

1. I love ice wine and Canada makes some of the very, very best.

[elleng]

2. I'm not familiar with it,

but Reisling is mentioned in the article. What are others? Identified as icewine, or what?

[Warpy]

3. It was a Roman technique for extending wine growing country to the north

by planting vines on south facing slopes of valleys. Riesling is made from the grapes that are harvested ripe and was my favorite white wine, a real smack in the face of a wine, very refreshing. In Ice Wine (Eiswein), the grapes are allowed to freeze on the vine before they are harvested. The frozen grapes are pressed, and the resulting juice is much higher in flavor and sugars than normally harvested grapes. Eiswein is more of a dessert wine while Riesling, which can vary quite widely in flavor, is far more suitable to the main event.

My own favorite Riesling came from South Africa, of all places. Then the boycott was called and that ended that. By the time Apartheid had been dismantled, I could no longer pretend to be a drinker.

German Eiswein is usually made with Riesling grapes, which is probably the reason for the mention in the article.

[elleng]

4. Thanks, Warpy.

I do like Riesling. Will look into such, next time I'm shopping for 'sweet' whites. Found this:

http://wineintro.com/types/icewine.html

Looks like some Germans want to take credit, over the Romans!

[Stinky The Clown]

5. Ice wine is thick and sweet. It is a dessert wine.

Usually sold in 500 ml bottles. Shockingly pricey.

It belongs on your bucket list.

[elleng]

6. I remember years ago, visiting Sutter Home in CA,

tasted Muscat Amabile. Sweet desert wine. But Riesling is NOT as you describe. ?

[Tab]

7. I've only seen it from Germany

As eiswein. Riesling is something different. Eiswein ain't cheap - $50 for a half-bottle ($25/glass). I understand Inniskillin to be Canada's entry to the Eiswien market.

Riesling is a certain grape and not to be confused with Eiswein. Certainly no one at the register will confuse it. It is used as Esiwein in Canada, but it is not the same stuff, not by any stretch of the imagination, as any taste (or register receipt) will tell you.

I've had plenty of Riesling and view it as a poor sister to pinot grigiot, not the rich uncle.

If I can get some, I look forward to trying this year's batch.

[elleng]

8. Well then,

my next wine venture may be your suggested pink sparkly w. Pad Thai!

[Kali]

9. German Eiswein is from Riesling grapes.

[japple]

10. Years ago, I was in Burlington, ONT and took a tour of a winery/distillery

in Niagara Falls (Canadian side)that made ice wine. http://www.kittlingridge.com/index.htm

Their ice wine was heavenly, but the ice wine & brandy combination was to die for. I haven't found any of their products here, but would give my hat and front seat in hell for another bottle. If any of you live or visit that area, I would strongly encourage you to stop by Kittling Ridge for a tour or just to buy their wares.

[elleng]

11. Sounds GREAT! AU Canada!

Icewine & Brandy

Tasting Notes

Icewine & Brandy has come to be known as Kittling Ridge’s signature product, as it combines both the winemaker’s art & the still master’s craft. Half as sweet as traditional Icewine, this dessert wine is a delicate blend of Vidal Icewine & seven year, barrel aged brandy. It is smooth on the palate with intense tropical fruit notes of the Icewine, complemented by warmth of the brandy in the finish.

Awards and Accolades


http://www.kittlingridge.com/product_pages_wines/icewinebrandy.htm