It’s a treat for the taste buds – and the senses! For three weeks in January, Ontario celebrates Ice Wine with the Niagara Ice Wine Festival, featuring tastings, festivals, parties and culinary surprises that will have you coming back for more. Here’s a few ideas to help you plan your trip to the festival.
It’s all about Ice Wine
Always wondered what ice wine is? Wonder no more: Ice wine is a dessert wine produced from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine. The Niagara region offers the perfect climate for making ice wine in the winter. The grapes for Ice wine are picked in winter at temperatures of at least -8˚C.
The ice wine festival is the perfect chance to discover the nuances of ice wine. Try anything from a Vidal to a Cabernet Franc Ice Wine from a range of wineries at events like Winterfest in Market Square and the Niagara-on-the-Lake Ice Wine Festival. Plus, watch for the great ice sculptures!
Discover Wine Region
One of the most exciting parts of the Ice Wine festival is the chance to explore the Niagara region. If you love quaint villages and towns, you can easily fit visits to towns like Niagara-on-the-Lake, Virgil and Jordan (and their local wineries!) all in one day. Make the most of your time with The Icewine Festival Discovery Pass, which gives you access to three weekends of wine and culinary experiences for $40. The designated driver can indulge in eight mocktail and culinary pairings for only $30 with the Driver’s Discovery Pass. For more info click here.
Experience Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is just a short trip from Niagara Wine Country, and is the perfect way to cap off your adventure. If you’ve been to Niagara Falls in the summer, it is definitely worth another trip in the winter – make sure to snap a photo of the memorable contrast of the falls, mist, ice and snow. For some bright lights and excitement take the walk up Clifton Hill – which is especially eye catching at night. Take a ride on the Niagara Skywheel and see the falls from a whole new angle.
The Niagara Ice Wine Festival is on until January 27th, 2013. For more information click here.
What is your favourite Ice Wine?