Anyone every try icewine?
 

Thoughts? Seems like the cheapest bottle is 40 bucks. Is it worth it? From what I can gather they basically pick the grapes when they are frozen. Seems like a scam......

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

It's for dessert basically, because the frozen grapes have super high sugar content. If you like dessert wines, you'll like icewine. But yeah, it's expensive.

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

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Seems like a scam......

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Not all things are not as they seem...

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

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Seems like a scam......

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Not all things are not as they seem...

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...Or are they?

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

I have had icewine many times. Many wineries in the Niagara, Ontario region produce it. I believe the best icewines come from that region.

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

celiboy,

ICEWINE IS PEOPLE

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

shouldn't you be playing blackjack?

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

They were writing articles about it in the regular press a few years ago. It's gotten very popular. And apparently it's extremely important that you pick the grapes at just the right time, excruciatingly so. So I guess that's where part of the expense comes from; it's harder to get just right.

Never had it myself.

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

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I have had icewine many times. Many wineries in the Niagara, Ontario region produce it. I believe the best icewines come from that region.

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not to say that ontario ice wines aren't great but bc has produced many more award-winning ice wines than ontario in the last few years (basically all from the kelowna/okanagan region).

my personal favourite for this year's offerings is produced by Quail's Gate and is actually closer to mid range in pricing and therefore an excellent value for the spectacular quality. there are many other great ones i have sampled from the region as well.

...at Quail's Gate winery samples comes served in small chilled chocolate cups and is absolutely incredible. i highly recommend you get your hands on a bottle if even remotely tempted as you will not be dissapointed.

cheers,
sean

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

Quail's Gate - Reisling Icewine - 2000


ice wines of canada - general info


Serving Icewine
Icewine unopened and stored on it side in a cool (55-65 degrees F) place, away from vibrations and strong smells, can keep up to 25 years. The aging is also affected by the Growing Season, some years were better than others and therefore the wine will age differently.



If you have a specific year, we can advise you on how long you can store it for. Icewines as they age, darken in colour as well as increase in price! If you save it for a special occasion, you certainly will not be disappointed!

Once an Icewine is opened, you have 3-5 days to finish it up... but that is usually not a problem! Once a wine of any type is exposed to air, it begins to oxidize slowly and if left open too long, it tastes and smells bitter.

Icewines can be enjoyed in their youth or aged for many years. Icewines in their youth offer fresh fruit and are crisp and clean. Older Icewines tend to have a greater degree of depth, complexity and wide range of intense aromatics. As Icewines continue to age, the naturally concentrated acidity present lingers and follows through for a unique and harmonious balance.

Use discretion when pairing Icewines with food. Also, dishes or desserts that tend to be quite sweet may take away from the luscious experience and leave a cloying effect on your palate. Neutral desserts, such as pear tart, apple and peach based sauce desserts; strong cheeses and foie gras tend to create a harmonious balance.


...taken from the Inniskillin Winery page, which was excellent as well and usually rates very high each year (probably bigger and more well know for premiere icewines than Quail's Gate)....

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

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celiboy,

ICEWINE IS PEOPLE

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LOL! That was great!

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

It's pretty good - not a scam at all. They generally only come in 1/2 bottles though, which kind of sucks. It is very sweet-tasting, even compared to regular white wine. It's not something I am going to buy for myself very often, but it makes a great holiday gift for people who think they are wine aficionados!

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

Please God don't let the ice nine fall into the wrong hands!

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

Its pretty good, Being up in the Niagara Falls/Ontario Area alot you see it all the time. Actualy took a a vineyard tour and you see how they make it etc in Canada. Its ultra sweet, a real desert wine. Its not like grape juice with alchol, but its close.

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

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It's pretty good - not a scam at all. They generally only come in 1/2 bottles though, which kind of sucks. It is very sweet-tasting, even compared to regular white wine. It's not something I am going to buy for myself very often, but it makes a great holiday gift for people who think they are wine aficionados!

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FYI, icewine can also be made from red grapes.

-Diplomat

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

It's very good.

However, if you want a cheaper dessert wine alternative, try a Moscato, first. My wife only drinks Moscato.

Surprisingly enough, Sutter Home makes a decent bottle that you can get for about $3 that will at least get you a idea on what to expect.

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

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It's pretty good - not a scam at all. They generally only come in 1/2 bottles though, which kind of sucks. It is very sweet-tasting, even compared to regular white wine. It's not something I am going to buy for myself very often, but it makes a great holiday gift for people who think they are wine aficionados!

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FYI, icewine can also be made from red grapes.

-Diplomat

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Really? Never seen any - where can I get some?

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

icewine is sweet

Re: Anyone every try icewine?
 

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It's pretty good - not a scam at all. They generally only come in 1/2 bottles though, which kind of sucks. It is very sweet-tasting, even compared to regular white wine. It's not something I am going to buy for myself very often, but it makes a great holiday gift for people who think they are wine aficionados!

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Dessert wines are traditionally sold in half-bottles. This makes them more affordable and more practicle. The traditional dessert wine is Sauternes, made from moldy grapes, and you really aren't supposed to drink a lot of it at one time. I suspect ice wine is the same thing. (If you want to get technical, icewine and Sauternes are supposed to be served in the same type of glass, go here for everything you ever wanted to know about wine and the proper glass.) It's more an after dinner drink like cognac or brandy, meant to accompany a sweet dessert, not to be drunk alone, and definitely not to excess, way too expensive for that.