Living in the Niagara Peninsula one may witness a unique harvest that takes place when the temperatures drop below -8 celsius (17F) for several days.
Grapes left on the vines well into the Winter months freeze allowing the water content to intensify the flavours producing a luscious sweet ice wine...
Ice wine pickers arrive in the dead of night to begin to harvest the frozen clusters, then the grapes are immediately pressed to extract the nectar.
Coveted the world over there is even an Ice Wine Festival held in January.
Madelaine on the other hand would much rather snuggle indoors and let the humans partake of the harvest...
19 comments:
Ice wine - one of those rare treats that requires the perfect combination of conditions. Are you having an ice-wine sort of winter in your area? We're very much aware of the temperatures back east as we bask in +10 and above, because the children and grandchildren will head back on Wednesday.
I think you should join Madelaine in a cosy place by a fire!
I have never heard of ice wine Susan - the process sounds fascinating and your pictures illustrate it perfectly. Nectar seems an appropriate description for such a rare and covetable taste.
Madelaine looks so snuggly sweet - I want to hug her!
Jeanne x
I love the Niagara region and my Mom grew up there on the week-ends. The grapes look spectacular but I am with Madelaine today ~ that looks like the place to be!
I have never heard of ice-wine! How wonderful and fascinating! This may be a very silly question, but is it sold on the market where I can find some to taste? A very Happy New Year to you~ xx Vicki
i never heard of ice wine either...i do like frozen grapes though...your little furry one is adorable!!!
Hello~I'm not sure I've heard of ice wine either..sounds wonderful though! By chance is Madelaine a teddy bear? My little sugar could be a distant relative..they look very similar! Madelaine is adorable! Oh, I love the music you've chosen for your blog...it sounds "wintery"! (: We spent an anniversary on Victoria on the Lake..and I fell in love with Trisha Romance..are you familiar with her?
Blessings for a happy new year!~Kathy
Hi Susan and Happy New Year!!!!
I too have never heard of ice wine. I didn't even think that once grapes are frozen they could be good for anything. Thank you for sharing and and for the education of ice wines.
Julie
Hi Susan, I hope you have had a wonderful start to 2010!!! How sweet does Madelaine look all tucked up in her little basket!!! I have never heard of ice-wine but would be very much tempted to try it if I ever saw it somewhere!!! Blessings to you and wishing you all the very best for the New Year...Dzintra♥x
Although I LOVE wine and a good festival, I'm with Madelaine! I think a good nap in a cozy bed is the best way to spend the day:)!
Blessings,
Kim
Ice wine sounds lovely - I had never come across that before! Happy New Year!
Pomona x
This is facsinating! I never knew. I really love learning new things and I think I'll have to look this process up and learn even more.
But one thing I do know, is that Madelaine is one cute dog!
hugs
Madelaine does look too warm and snuggly to be awakened to partake in any beverage. I have not heard of ice wine either...really interesting!
Happy New Year to you, Susan!
Happy new Year Susan! Beautiful pics of your winter wonderland...and your little lass hanging up her stocking is *precious*.
THANKS for the congrats...little Briscoe is perfect.
Rene'
Gee,my husband always said we can't grow grapes in our area! He's a big wine lover too, wait until I tell him!
I have never heard of Ice Wine before. MMM, like to try it someday.I love seeiing the processes of things. May need to do a google search on this one. Beautiful pictures!
Hello there! THanks for stopping by and kindly leaving me a comment. It's such a good way to discover new and interesting blogs. I've not heard of ice wine, but it certainly sounds good! Your blog is so interesting and full of great photos. I'll be popping back. Have a good weekend! Ros
P.S. Madelaine is adorable
I don't know much about wine and have never heard of Ice Wine, mmm might be able to impress Hubby with my knowledge now! Thanks
Love
Lyn
xxx
Mmmmm ice wine sounds lovely - and I'm not a winter gal but I try to appreciate what perks I can... love your pooch too. Jennifer
I've never heard of ice wine, it sounds like it might be really tasty. I always like late harvest, sweet wines. And that is about as late as it gets!
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