LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2024

TWISTS

Rethinking Icewine

Pondering giving icewine a try? New generations of Canadians deserve a chance to discover how this Ontario specialty can be enjoyed. Savour it straight up, or let it shine as a star ingredient in cocktails or a flavour enhancer in recipes. It delivers on versatility in so many ways.

BY JESSICA HURAS PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAYA VISNYEI

MUST TRYS

Small & Sparkling INNISKILLIN SPARKLING VIDAL VQA VINATGES 560367, 375 mL, $79.95 For those wary of icewine’s sugary profile, this bottle delivers juicy flavours with a lively fizz that offsets the sweet finish. INNISKILLIN VIDAL ICEWINE VQA VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 559302, 50 mL, $9.95 This Vidal is an excellent entry point to the style with a lively acidity that mellows out its tropical fruit flavours. REIF ESTATE VIDAL ICEWINE VQA LCBO 582247, 50 mL, $7.95 Rich flavours of candied lemon, honey and apricot give way to a lingering tart finish in this full- bodied option.

What is icewine? Icewine is a sweet wine made from grapes harvested and pressed while frozen. How is icewine made? When grapes are left to freeze on the vine, their flavour and sugar concentration become enhanced. To balance this sweetness, icewine is typically made from high-acidity grapes such as Vidal Blanc, Riesling or Cabernet Franc. Why is Ontario known for icewine? The production of icewine requires hot summers and cold winters, making Ontario’s climate just right for making superb stuff.

Canada is the top icewine producer globally, but our local liquid gold doesn’t always get the love it deserves. Some may view it as a novelty for wine tourists or dub it too cloying after a single sip. It’s time to give icewine a second chance. Try it with different foods or in a new style, and you might be surprised to find that icewine is actually cool— in more ways than one.

FOOD STYLING BY LINDSAY GUSCOTT; PROP STYLING BY CATHERINE DOHERTY

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HOLIDAY 2024 ————————