One-Tank Trip for
Dec. 27/14
(c) By Jim Fox
It’s time to chill
out again in Niagara Wine Country.
The colder the
better for this annual party in the dead of winter that celebrates icewine.
The dessert wine
renowned for its intense flavours, rich bouquet and smoothness is something
that’s rivalling maple syrup as a Canadian iconic product around the world.
 |
| Enjoying a glass of wine at one of the Niagara Icewine Festival events. |
For three weekends
in January, the Niagara Icewine Festival will mark its 20th year.
“The festival
offers plenty for every taste – from elegant gala evenings to irresistible
wine-and-food pairings and outdoor activities from exploring ice street villages
to marshmallow-roasting along the famed wine route,” said Kimberly Hundertmark,
executive director of the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival.
That’s cool
Icewine is produced
from grapes that have been left on the vine after the fall harvest.
Once the
temperature dips to -8C or lower, the frozen grapes are handpicked and pressed
immediately to carefully release a thick, rich, yellow-gold liquid, highly
concentrated in natural sugars and acidity.
 |
| Vidal grapes are picked only when frozen. |
Of all the
wine-producing regions in the world, only Ontario has a winter climate
sufficiently cold to ensure an icewine crop in most years, with 60 wineries now
involved.
Icewine is quite
pricy as fruit left on the vine is vulnerable to rot, ravaging winds, hail, hungry birds
and animals as well as being labour-intensive and producing small yields.
Party time
Things heat up as
the celebration begins on Jan. 9 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Xerox Icewine Gala:
20 Years of Red and Gold at Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls.
Called “Niagara’s
hottest wine and culinary ticket,” the Grand Hall is transformed into “an
evening of luxury and opulence.”
Those attending the
formal event can sample a wide selection of icewine and table wines paired with
“culinary delights” created by the casino’s chefs.
“Live
entertainment, dancing and an evening of the best wine and food Niagara has to
offer sets the tone for a weekend to remember,” Hundertmark said. Tickets cost
$185.
The Discovery Pass
touring program along the Wine Route is offered Fridays through Sundays for
three weekends from Jan. 9.
Pass holders can
enjoy eight wine-and-culinary pairings at some 35 wineries.
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| Glasses of wine can be paired with a large selection of sweet treats at the Niagara Icewine Gala. (Jim Fox photo) |
“From hearty chilis
and savoury soups to the sweet treats paired with VQA icewines and table wines,
the experiences are sweet, savoury and spicy,” Hundertmark said.
Passes are $40 while
there is a Driver’s Discovery Pass for designated drivers to indulge in non-alcoholic
mocktails and culinary offerings. Experiences are $10 each without a pass,
unless otherwise stated.
Wine happenings
Joining the party
with coinciding festivals are Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Twenty
Valley wineries:
Niagara Falls: The events from Jan. 23
to 25 at the Scotiabank Convention Centre feature icewine and table wines from
across Niagara Region.
There will be food
from local restaurants and chefs along with live entertainment. Admission is $10
and includes a souvenir glass.
Niagara-on-the-Lake: The Icewine
Festival starts on Jan. 16 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Sparkle & Ice with
local icewinemakers and “inspired tastings” from the Signature Kitchen chefs.
It happens at the Niagara-on-the-Lake
Courthouse Grand Hall with live salsa entertainment and an official toast
outdoors in the Icewine Village. Tickets are $95.
The festival happens
along historic Queen Street on Jan. 17 and 18, and 24 and 25. (11 a.m. to
5 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m., Sundays) Free admission; tokens sold
for sampling.
There will be the Flash
& Panache Icewine Cocktail Competition on Jan. 17 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on
Queen Street and the Icebreakers’ Comedy Festival at local inns and eateries,
Jan. 22 to 24.
Twenty Valley (Jordan): Winter WineFest
takes place Jan. 9 to 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Main Street.
Sip and savour
icewine, sparkling wines and red and whites from 30 wineries paired with
offerings from local chefs.
Chef Michael Smith
will give food demonstrations and host a dinner and icewine brunch while there
will be live entertainment throughout.
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| A sample of icewine is poured at the Niagara Icewine Gala. |
Need to know
Niagara-on-the-Lake: niagaraonthelake.com/icewine;
(905) 468-1950
-30-
Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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