Irresistible Icewine

Wineries to visit: Inniskillin Wines, Palatine Hills Estate Winery, Peller Estates Winery, Pillitteri Estates Winery, Reif Estate Winery, Sunnybrook Farm Estate Winery

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This is the wine that made the wine world sit up and take notice of what we were doing. Elegant, silky, lush, decadent - wine critics wear out thesauruses describing Icewine. Year after year, our Icewines take the awards at competitions around the globe. We don’t mean to sound immodest, but it’s an achievement we’re very proud of. And, it makes us grateful for the frigid winter temperatures that we endure for a few days each winter. (A true Icewine can only be made from grapes that have naturally frozen on the vine and picked when the thermometer dips to -8° C.)  It’s ambrosia of the gods. On this tour you’ll be able to taste for yourself the delectable differences between white and red varietals. The tough decision will be which to take home.

Inniskillin Wines was one of the first wineries to produce Icewine in the region. The greatest of international accolades for Canadian Icewine was bestowed on Inniskillin 1989 Icewine at Vinexpo, Bordeaux, in June 1991. This wine, judged by an international panel, was accorded the fair’s highest award, Le Grand Prix d’Honneur.

Palatine Hills Estate Winery is perhaps "the best kept secret on the Niagara Peninsula"- words which perhaps personify a growing reputation for crafting world class Icewines.  Initially in 2003, winning the Best Icewine in Ontario at the Ontario Wine Awards, Palatine’s presence was launched. In 2005, at The Great Canadian Wine Competition, Palatine was again honoured with Gold Medals for both Gewürztraminer Icewine and Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine. The Canadian Wine Competition then awarded Palatine the elevated recognition as Canada's Icewine Producer of the Year.

From a breathtaking winter, comes a magical wine. Peller Estates Winery produces Icewines that have gained global recognition, including Vidal, Riesling, and Cabernet Franc Icewines and have received recognition in the Wine Spectator.

Icewine is the signature wine of Pillitteri Estates Winery. As the world’s largest estate producer of Icewine Pillitteri offers a portfolio of rare and exquisite award-winning varietals, such as Vidal, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Recent accolades from around the world include a Gold Medal at Syrah du Monde in France for the world’s first Shiraz Icewine, as well as the prestigious Citadelles du Vin Gold Medal and Best Canadian sweet wine for their Riesling Icewine at the Decanter Wine Awards.

Reif Estate Winery consistently produces some of the best Icewines in the Niagara region from its 20 year old vineyard block of Vidal grapes in the Niagara River sub-appellation. In 2007, the 2004 Vidal Icewine was awarded the Best Sweet Wine Trophy at the Cuvèe wine awards.

And now for something completely different. Sunnybrook Farm Estate Winer's Chocolate Embrace is too good to miss. This best seller is a unique wine of pure chocolate, a hint of vanilla and pure blueberries.

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