The cold Arctic air has finally arrived in British Columbia when the Arctic’s icy fingers turn the bulbous, sued flesh of left over grapes upon the vine into cold sugar pearls. However, the cold arrived later than expected for those wineries looking to harvest their icewine grapes. Up until now it has been unseasonably warm causing terrible conditions for the ice wine grape harvest, although the Canadian geese and deer have been heartily feasting on the cold, aging pearls and would probably make a good meal for some local hunters come September.
Photo Credit: WinesofCanada.com
The ideal temperature for vintners to collect the ice wine grapes is -8°C but in December we reached a record high of +11°C leaving the local wineries to simply hold their breath and watch their acreages of grapes reduce to about half. Finally, late at night the meticulous harvesting process has begun with evening average temperatures reaching -12°C and we can look forward to indulging in another vintage of the syrupy nectar in a few years. The amount of time and patience that vintners must donate to these grapes is the cause of such high prices. The average bottle of icewine in the Okanagan is about $50 and can go up to $150 in some cases for a slender bottle containing 200 ml.
To me icewine is a rare indulgence and not something I often drink unless I am looking to end a meal in an elegant way while tipping my proverbial top hat (made of cork no less) to the local vintners of my Okanagan home.
Although the Okanagan does not have a festival strictly devoted to icewine (like the annual festival you can find in Niagara Falls) you can catch an evening of icewine education and tastings at this year’s Okanagan Winter Wine Festival held at Sun Peaks Ski Resort on January 17th, 12:00pm. Tickets are $50 CAN.
A video featuring my neighbourhood Summerhill (aka the Pyramid winery) Winery showing the anticipation and work that goes into harvesting the icewine grapes within the Okanagan.
Beautiful blog! LOVE me some ice wine. I’ve been saving a bottle from Niagra on the Lake… time to tap into it!
I’m trying to remember if I found you via my sister’s business in Nelson, BC. Have you ever been to the BITE truck?
The east coast Canadian wines are definitely the more popular right now – mostly because the western wineries are fairly young in comparison.
I haven’t been back to Nelson in 4 years now but I will be sure to visit your sister’s food truck. It’s such a unique town and it would be interesting to write about.
I am hoping to go back this summer after I make a stop in Grand Forks.
Thanks for commenting!
This is so interesting, especially as my husband is in the wine industry, I have forwarded this onto him as I am sure he will thoroughly enjoy your video. Very different to our harvesting here in South Africa – thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you!
I really enjoy living in an area of Canada full of wineries. Since moving here I have really taken an interest in the growing and harvesting process, along with the drinking process 😉
In June our valley is hosting the Wine Blogger’s Conference which I hope will further my education as well – stay tuned for those posts!
I’d love to hear about how your grapes are harvested in South Africa! I’ll be sure to follow your blog more closely.
Icewine is a rare treat, great with desserts. (It’s a sweet wine BTW).
Hi Lane,
yes as I noted in my blog post it is a “syrupy nectar” and is very sweet often drank in place of a dessert, or along side it – depending on how decadent you are feeling.