Canadian Ice wine in July..

July is a great time to think about ice..............

This isn't a love letter, rather a hapless flirtation. The Ice wines of Canada do this to me every time. There I am loving every bite of a freshly baked apple tart with ice cream and it hits me. Oh how wonderful this would be with a 3 (rather 4) oz pour of Ice wine.

Sticky sweetness fills the glass. This classic dessert wine is served just slightly cool. These wines excel with their purity of nectar like fruit and decadence of honey sweetness.

They are like the girl next door. Someone who you would like to get to know better, but the relationship is cordoned to a half smile and a casual wave. I don't know her well enough to hang out all the time, but once in a while I get lucky and we have a pleasant conversation.

Canadian Ice wines convey a certain richness and affable enjoyment that goes beyond the perfect pairing of a freshly baked apple tart. They embody the essence of a casual aperitif yet also offer the eclectic taste of the winemakers art. Oh and their not cheap..expect to pay around $30 plus for a 375-500ml bottle.

The high price is reflective of the small amounts produced and the difficulty in making.

Ice wines are usually made from Riesling or Vidal grapes grown at higher altitudes and cool climates. They are slow to develop and are picked in the midst of winter.

At harvest the grapes are frozen. They are then slow pressed to release a syrupy delight of sweet nectar juice that is fermented into wine. Though they were first created in Germany and Austria hundreds of years ago, Canada has evolved as a world class producer and many consider it the best.

There are 3 producers that shine and if you see one of them buy it and drink it. These are not wines you want to throw in the cellar and forget. They are all about instant gratification. They will fill your palate with a sugary crescendo and flirt with you every time you have dessert. Cheers!

Try some of these if you can find them:

          Inniskillin Vidal  $65 (500ml)

                     Jackson Trigggs Vidal $35 (375ml)

                           Peller Estates Riesling $55 (500ml)

Bonus. If in New England try Newport vineyards Ice wine. Its an excellent effort worth every penny ($25-30) !