| Wine tours have long been popular in the realm of | | | | the flavors of the juice; then, as the frozen |
| unique vacations; but for anyone who'd like to | | | | grapes are pressed, the highly concentrated, |
| take the novelty of such a getaway to a whole | | | | sweet juice is extracted. The natural water |
| new level, Canada's Niagara region - and its | | | | portion, however, remains in the grape skins as |
| famous Icewineries - await. | | | | ice crystals. The juice is then fermented very |
| One of the most intriguing aspects of a wine tour | | | | slowly over the course of several months to |
| is learning the history behind a type of wine, a | | | | produce Icewine. Typical grapes used for ice wine |
| winery or a region that yields the wine - none of | | | | production include: Riesling Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc |
| which are an exception when it comes to | | | | and the red grape Cabarnet Franc. |
| Icewines. The discovery of Icewine in 1794 was | | | | The Niagara region hosts an ice wine festival |
| accidental when, out of necessity, winemakers in | | | | every January to celebrate the fruit of each |
| Germany pressed frozen grapes - the resulting | | | | year's harvest. Locals and tourists alike can indulge |
| juice of which was found to have an unusually | | | | in ice bars, frozen art exhibits and tours through |
| high concentration of sugar. It wasn't until the mid | | | | Niagara's famous wine routes - alongside, of |
| 1800s, however, that the winery intentionally | | | | course, a taste of some of the region's most |
| began to produce Icewine for distribution. | | | | exquisite Icewines. |
| The production of Icewine did not extend to | | | | If you're considering taking an Icewine tasting tour |
| Canada until 1973, after which time the venture | | | | in the Niagara region this winter, rest assured that |
| proved to be a huge success. Today, Canada - | | | | there are plenty of fantastic options for |
| and particularly, Ontario's Niagara Peninsula region - | | | | accommodation in Niagara Falls. The Doubletree |
| is the largest producer of Icewine, a product | | | | Resort Lodge & Spa Fallsview, Niagara Falls, for |
| that's often referred to as "liquid gold". That's | | | | example, features an award-winning VQA wine |
| because the juice from Icewine grapes composes | | | | list, including Icewine by the glass or bottle at |
| about one-fifth the amount that would be | | | | Buchanans Chophouse. So you can get started on |
| extracted from unfrozen grapes. For instance, if | | | | the wine tasting before you even hit the festival |
| the grapes of an unfrozen vine produced a bottle | | | | or your tour! |
| of wine, the grapes of a frozen vine would | | | | By touring Niagara's Ice wineries, you'll learn about |
| produce just one glass of Icewine. | | | | the unique processes involved in making Icewines, |
| The Icewine harvest begins in the winter months | | | | as well as have the opportunity to try some of |
| - typically, in December - once temperatures drop | | | | the most exceptional wines in the world. So what |
| below -10 to -13 degrees Celsius and grapes have | | | | are you waiting for? Take the novelty of a |
| frozen on the vines. Natural freezing concentrates | | | | wine-tasting tour to a whole new level - |
| the sugars, acids and extracts, thus intensifying | | | | experience the Niagara region's famous Icewines. |