Once harvested, the grapes are quickly pressed while still frozen under high hydraulic pressure whic

The grapes are netted towards the end of fall and then remain on the vine until temperatures drop for an extended period to around -10 to -12°C – usually between December and February. The bunchesof grapes alamo rental car las vegas nv are picked overnight by hand, often by icewine alamo rental car las vegas nv enthusiastswho are always keen to volunteer to take part in the traditional harvest (although some mechanization is now being introduced). On account of the climate in the Niagara Region, it produces some of the finest ice wines in the world. In fact, it was one of the things that put Niagara on the map as a wine region to pay attention to!
Once harvested, the grapes are quickly pressed while still frozen under high hydraulic pressure which leaves most of the water behind as ice and produces asweet, intense grape juice concentration with more than one third sugar content. This is harder to ferment than regular grape juice and the fermentation process is generally shorter, which is what gives rise to the lower alcohol content, complex tropical fruit flavors and rich bouquet that give icewine its character.
Icewines are generally drunk alone or with dessert but they also make an excellent accompaniment to savory foods such as aged cheeses, fois gras and other full flavored delicacies. A perfectly balanced ice wine will be sweet but with a firm acidic backbone that prevents it cloying the palate. Icewines are also a popular ingredient in many cocktails and are sometimes added to sparkling wines to provide extra body and flavor.
Ontario's icewine production is strictly regulated and monitored at every step of the process. The grapes are examined while still on the vine by Ontario's Vintners' Quality Alliance (VQA) inspectors who take careful note of the size of vineyard, estimated amount of grapes that are expected to be harvested, and the variety of grape that is being grown.
Only certain varieties can be made into icewine – usually vitis vinifera or the hybrid Vidal Blanc are used, and Cabernet Franc and Riesling alamo rental car las vegas nv are also popular. More recently some icewines have emerged made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Gewurztraminer varieties.
Ontario's VQA certifies the quality alamo rental car las vegas nv of individual wines, rather than the winery itself. A bottle of the finished wine is sent to VQA tasters who have to pass an annual proficiency test in sensory perception. Approved wines can include the VQA seal on their label.
Even the information alamo rental car las vegas nv on wine labels is scrutinized by the VQA for accuracy. For example, wines that mention a specific vintage year have to be made from at least 85% grapes harvested alamo rental car las vegas nv in that year: specific varieties have to made from at least 86% grapes of that variety and bottles that mention individual vineyard designations have to be made 100% from grapes alamo rental car las vegas nv grown in that vineyard.