Curious tourists and wine enthusiasts visiting Niagara-on-the-Lake who want to understand and taste icewine.

What Is Icewine? A Niagara Icewine Guide

If you have ever wondered what makes Niagara icewine so special, you are in good company. It is one of the most asked about wines on a tasting visit, and for good reason. Icewine is a rich, golden dessert wine made from grapes that are left to freeze right on the vine and then pressed while still frozen. The result is something rare and unforgettable, and our corner of Ontario happens to be one of the best places on earth to make it. Here is everything you need to know before you pour your first glass.

So, What Exactly Is Icewine?

Icewine is a naturally sweet dessert wine, and the secret is in the cold. Instead of picking the grapes in autumn, growers leave them on the vine well into winter. When the temperature drops low enough, the water inside each grape freezes, but the sugars, acids, and flavours do not. The grapes are then harvested and pressed while still frozen, so only a few precious drops of concentrated juice trickle out. It can take a whole vine to make a single glass, which is part of why icewine feels like such a treat.

That concentration is what gives icewine its signature character. It is sweet, yes, but it also carries a bright streak of acidity that keeps it lively rather than cloying.

Why Niagara Is One of the World's Great Icewine Regions

Making icewine takes a very particular kind of winter, and Niagara has it. You need reliably cold temperatures that arrive on schedule each year, and not every wine region can count on that. Canada is the largest producer of icewine in the world, and the Niagara Peninsula is at the heart of it.

Here in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the conditions line up beautifully. To carry the VQA icewine designation in Ontario, the grapes must freeze naturally on the vine at around -8C or colder before they can be picked and pressed. Those cold snaps are part of life here, which is exactly why this region has built a global reputation for the style.

Our own icewine is made from estate-grown grapes on our 11-acre farm, so what you taste in the glass is shaped entirely by this little piece of Niagara-on-the-Lake. You can learn more about our icewine and how we make it on the farm.

Vidal and Riesling: The Classic Icewine Grapes

Two grapes have become the stars of Niagara icewine, and we grow both. Vidal is the most widely planted icewine grape in the region, prized for its thick skins that stand up to a long, cold hang on the vine. Riesling is the elegant counterpart, loved for the way it holds onto fresh, zippy acidity that balances all that natural sweetness.

We grow both right here on the estate, which means each bottle is small batch and true to the land it came from. Tasting them side by side is a great way to see how one style can show two different personalities.

How to Serve Icewine at Home

Icewine is easy to enjoy once you know a couple of simple things. Serve it well chilled, somewhere around 5C to 8C, which usually means a couple of hours in the fridge before guests arrive. Pour it in small amounts, because a little goes a long way. A modest pour in a small glass is plenty, and it lets the aromas shine.

It also keeps nicely. Because icewine is so concentrated, an opened bottle will stay lovely in the fridge for several days, so there is no pressure to finish it in one sitting.

What to Eat With Icewine

Icewine is famous as a dessert wine, and it is wonderful alongside something rich like a creamy cheesecake or a dark chocolate tart. But do not stop there. The trick is contrast. That bright acidity makes icewine a brilliant partner for salty and savoury foods too, from a sharp blue cheese to a charcuterie board.

If you visit us, this is something you can taste for yourself. Alongside guided tastings and wine by the glass, we serve charcuterie and wood-fired pizza, and dogs are welcome out on the patio. It is a relaxed, friendly way to see how icewine plays with food.

Come Taste Niagara Icewine for Yourself

Reading about icewine is one thing, but there is nothing like tasting it where it is grown. As a family winery with deep roots, Scottish and Bulgarian, we love walking guests through what makes this wine so special. A guided tasting is the easiest way in, and reservations are recommended, so we suggest you reserve a tasting before you make the trip. For exact visiting details, check theharewineco.com.

If you fall for icewine and our other small batch VQA wines, our Founders wine club is a lovely way to keep a little bit of Niagara-on-the-Lake on your shelf at home. We ship anywhere in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is icewine made? Icewine is made from grapes left to freeze naturally on the vine in winter. Once the temperature reaches around -8C or colder, the frozen grapes are harvested and pressed right away. The water in each grape stays behind as ice, so only a small amount of intensely sweet, concentrated juice is released. That juice is then fermented into wine.

What does icewine pair with? Icewine pairs beautifully with rich desserts like cheesecake and chocolate, but its bright acidity also makes it a great match for salty and savoury foods such as blue cheese and charcuterie. The contrast between sweet wine and salty food is part of the fun.

How should I serve icewine? Serve icewine well chilled, around 5C to 8C, which usually means a couple of hours in the fridge. Pour small amounts in small glasses, since it is rich and a little goes a long way. An opened bottle keeps well in the fridge for several days.

Ready to taste it where it grows? Reserve an icewine tasting at The Hare Wine Co. in Niagara-on-the-Lake, or browse our icewine and have a bottle shipped anywhere in Canada.