The Niagara Icewine Festival Jan 23 to 25, 2015

Events Leading Up to the Annual Niagara Icewine Festival

Celebrations for the upcoming Niagara Icewine Festival begin today. This evening, between 7pm and 10pm, Fallsview Casino Resort will host the annual Xerox Icewine Gala, a renowned black-tie event for oenophiles and foodies. Also launching today, Peller Estates opens their January Icewine market, which continues until Jan 25.

The Niagara Icewine Festival will run at the Scotiabank Convention Centre this year between Jan 23 and 25. Here, participants will discover the region’s very best, laid out decoratively across VQA tables and booths. To complement the icewine, local chefs will also serve select dishes, allowing guests to sample and pair as they choose.

Although an icewine event, coordinators have scheduled entertainment suitable for all ages. Similarly, those who wish not to partake in tasting may accompany their friends at a discounted rate. For everybody else, the Discover Pass—currently sold at participating wineries for $40CAD—is a smart choice. Complete with over 35 stops and destinations, it gives holders the ultimate Niagara Wine Route experience. Check out the program calendar here!

Icewine Information

Although Niagara’s wine tours are often educational, some background information might help. Icewine uses the same grapes as other selections—Vidal Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon and more—only the vines endure the frigid cold, freezing naturally in the winter. Only once the weather drops to -10°C or -12°C, and remains this temperature for a few days, do wineries harvest the grapes, typically over a single night. The resulting flavours are sweeter and more aromatic, a reason why many call it “dessert wine.”

Categories: Niagara Attractions, Niagara Events

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