Inniskillin Icewine Vidal Gold 2021

This Icewine comes from the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario, Canada, a region renowned for its world-class Icewines. The appellations of Four Mile Creek, Creek Shores, and Niagara River provide diverse terroirs, with soil types ranging from clay loam and sandy loam to sedentary soils. The Niagara Peninsula's cold winters are ideal for Icewine production, where consistently frigid temperatures allow the grapes to freeze naturally on the vine, concentrating their sugars and flavours​.

Made from Vidal, a hardy hybrid grape, this Icewine captures the essence of Ontario's cold climate. Vidal is particularly well-suited for Icewine due to its thick skin, which protects the berries from dehydration and damage during the freezing process. The style is sweet and luscious, with a vibrant acidity that balances its rich, concentrated flavours, making it a hallmark of Canadian dessert wines.

The Vidal grapes were harvested during the first week of January 2022 when temperatures dropped to -10°C, ensuring optimal conditions for Icewine production. Once picked, the grapes were immediately pressed, yielding only a small amount of concentrated juice. After cold settling for three days, the juice was fermented with selected yeast in new French oak barrels at an average temperature of 15°C over 16 days. The wine was further aged for three months in oak to enhance its complexity and texture before bottling.

This Icewine is rich and concentrated, offering vibrant flavours of ripe peach, juicy tangerine, and a hint of warm baking spices. The palate is smooth and viscous, with a lively acidity that balances the sweetness, providing a harmonious structure. The finish is long and fruit-filled, leaving a lasting impression of opulence and finesse.

Inniskillin Vidal Gold Icewine pairs beautifully with blue cheese, or desserts like peach cobbler, crème brûlée, and fruit tarts. It also complements spicy dishes, as the sweetness balances the heat. Serve chilled at 8–10°C.