Icewine: Canada’s Gift to the Wine World

Canada produces more Icewine than any other country, and reliably produces it every year — something no European producer can guarantee. Icewine (Eiswein) is made from grapes that freeze naturally on the vine, typically harvested in December or January at temperatures below -8°C. The ice crystals trap water in the berry, concentrating sugars, acids, and flavor compounds to extraordinary levels. The resulting wine — typically Vidal Blanc or Riesling in Canada — is intensely sweet, viscously rich, and electric with acidity that prevents it from cloying. It pairs with blue cheese, foie gras, or stone fruit-based desserts.

Okanagan Valley and Niagara Peninsula

The Okanagan Valley in British Columbia is Canada’s most dynamic wine region and one of the most scenically dramatic in the world — a series of lakes in a semi-arid desert surrounded by mountains. The northern Okanagan (Oliver, Osoyoos) is Canada’s hottest and driest region, producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah of surprising concentration. The southern Okanagan and Similkameen Valley produce more elegant reds and increasingly fine Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula is moderated by Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, producing Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc of European finesse.