If you are a fan of ice wine you may want to stock up now because it looks like there
may be a shortage next year. I've been seeing a bunch of reports from various states and Canada about the ice wine harvest, or more precisely, the lack thereof. Ice wine makers need to harvest the grapes when they are frozen and that hasn't been happening because of the warm weather across the Northeast and Canada. Even if the weather turns icy and the harvest is saved there will be likely be less ice wine. The good news is that whatever grapes are harvested may yield a tastier wine. As often happens with winemaking, grapes left on the vine longer, or subjected to temperature stressors can sometimes yield richer and more complex wines. The diminished harvest may also lead to higher prices for the sweet golden elixir. All the more reason to buy now and stock up for what may well be a lean season.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Wilf Krutzmann Dec 30th 2006 3:01PM
Deidre, I assume that when you say "the warm weather across the Northeast and Canada" you mean Ontario for Canada's Icewines. As I have said many times before, you haven't tasted a good Canadian Icewine till you have tasted some from British Columbia and we have just had, what may turn out to be the best vintage for Icewines yet. Have a look at my December 3 entry on my blog:British Columbia picks grapes for Icewines. Follow the links and see what I mean.