Icewine from Quebec and Canada

THE Quebec ice wine is in fact made with grapes that have frozen naturally on the vines and pressurized in the same state at an outside temperature below -8°C.

The production of ice wine has been carried out on a small scale for hundreds of years, since the creation of New France. Starting in 1985, the first winemakers launched a commercial production of ice wine. Only 5 pioneers obtained the right to market their production.

Indeed the climate Quebecois is ideal for the manufacture of ice wine. Cold, low humidity, wind, numerous freeze-thaw cycles, increase the natural dehydration of the grapes. The water contained in the grapes evaporates, consequently increasing the sugar and acidity levels in the grapes.

At Quebec, the different cycles of large amplitude of freezing and thawing occur several times during the autumn period and at the very beginning of winter. The grapes then undergo a slow cooking which gives the ice wine a very characteristic taste and flavors.

The grape used in the crops of Quebec is characterized by a very strong acidity, giving Quebec ice wine a balance and freshness that distinguishes it from other wines.

Over the years, Quebec winemakers have acquired know-how that has helped build the reputation of ice wine throughout the world.

Ice wine is classified as IGP (PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION) which requires Canadian winemakers to comply with the rules of quality requirements, and in particular the obligation to use only grapes frozen naturally on the vine.

The certification "Quebec ice wine" imposes many constraints:

• The grapes must be picked manually
• The grapes must come exclusively from the Quebec region
• THE white or red grape varieties can be used, Vitis labrusca grape varieties are prohibited
• The process of concentrating sugars must be natural
• The must must have a sugar content of more than 35° Brix
• Ban on the use of artificial freezing methods
• The alcohol content should vary between 7% Flight and 14.9 % Flight
• The wine must not be rectified by vinage

THE ice wine is a sweet wine, It has a fruity note and a very nice length in the mouth. It has a sweet taste with an incredible acidity.

It should be served chilled, at around 7 degrees.

An extraordinary wine to discover.

Ice wine is not a Quebec invention, but Quebec ice wine has become the most popular on the world market for this type of wine thanks to Canada's unique climate. It was discovered in 1794, when a sudden cold snap froze the grapes on the vine. The winegrowers of the time, worried about losing their production, decided to harvest it and were very surprised by the result and to obtain a sweet wine.