At the end of the day, on your Ontario vacation, you’ll probably want to relax with a great drink. Maybe you enjoy settling down with a glass of whiskey or a pint from a Bruce Peninsula brewery. But we’ve got a drink here in the Bruce Peninsula that you might not be familiar with: icewine!
Icewine is a local delicacy that we encourage every guest
(of age!) to sample while they’re in town.
Best of all, it’s easy to get some wonderful icewine just moments away from our cottage rentals in Ontario.
History of Icewine
While Ontario is particularly proud of its icewine, it’s believed to have been discovered in Germany back in 1794. The story goes that when farmers were trying to save their harvest after an unexpected frost, icewine came to be. Nearly 200 years later, in the 1980s, some forward-thinking vintners in Ontario recognized that the cold conditions here were ideal for recreating icewine, and the rest is history! Icewine first came to international attention in 1991 when Inniskillin’s Vidal Icewine was entered at the Vinexpo in Bordeaux, winning the Grand Prix d’Honneur!
How Is It Made?
Icewine is a dessert wine that people enjoy for its incredible smoothness and intense flavors. To make this tasty drink, grapes have to be left on the vine following the fall harvest. Temperatures in Ontario can easily dip down to -8 degrees Celsius (around 17 degrees Fahrenheit) or colder. It’s important to keep the temperature cold so that production has to be monitored by an appointed agent with the Vintners Quality Alliance, who will stop the harvest if the temperature rises above -8 degrees. This temperature is the perfect condition to handpick the grapes and immediately press them, resulting in a thick yellow-golden liquid with high acidity and natural sugars concentrations. It might take a while to produce, but the end result is well worth it!
Facts on Ontario Icewine
Icewine in Ontario is held to an incredibly high standard, but that’s how we keep every single glass tasting delicious. While icewine isn’t exclusive to Ontario, the province is among the world’s top producers. Conditions have to be hot in the summer and cold and sharp in the winter, which can’t be found everywhere on earth. Luckily, though, Ontario experiences ideal conditions for making icewine every single year!
Icewine has to come from specific grape varieties such as Riesling, Vidal, Gewürztramier, and Chardonnay. Icewine can be pricey, but that’s simply because it can be risky and time-consuming to make, especially when you consider that it has to be made in small batches. When you serve your icewine, chill it in ice for 15 minutes or refrigerate for at least two hours before serving. It’s best to serve icewine in a traditional white wine glass, allowing 1.5 ounces per person. After you’ve opened your icewine, you can easily store it in the fridge for several weeks if properly stored.
Plan an Ontario Trip
Imagine relaxing after a long day of sightseeing, coming back to your cottage rental with a hot tub in Ontario, and enjoying a glass of icewine, spending the evening with your loved ones. What could be better? We can help you make that dream a reality! Contact us today to get started planning your ultimate holiday to the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario.
Where to Get Icewine
Now that you know so much about icewine, you’re probably curious about where to get it to try for yourself! The best Ontario ice wine can be found through the LBCO or Liquor Control Board of Ontario. They have strict quality standards for all of their products and maintain multiple locations throughout Ontario, meaning there’s sure to be one near your Tobermory cottage rental! Simply walk in and ask one of the staff members to point you toward their icewine selection. You’ll be glad you did!
