We’re all set for our “Shimmer of Gold Icewine Tours” to Niagara this Sunday, January 15^th and Sunday the 22^nd.  https://thewineladies.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1278:susanne&catid=70:front-page-news&Itemid=170 The question on a lot of people’s mind, “how’s the weather cooperating for the grapes”   It’s always about the weather, but in this case, with icewine it REALLY is about the weather!

Early this week we had the chance to speak with winemaker Bruce Nicholson from Inniskillin Winery www.Inniskillin.com  in Niagara, and as he puts it, it’s EXTREME winemaking, and not without its risks. We asked Bruce to give us the low down so far on the 2011 icewine vintage. . (FYI, even if the grapes are picked in the next year, as 2012 this year, the vintage will still be 2011, the year the grapes ripened.) Here’s what he had to say

“We get a lot of media calling us up, and asking about how things are going. In the second and third weeks of December   “Aren’t you worried Bruce” was the reoccurring question.  No why, I say, we know it’s going to get cold, we’ve still got January and February to go.  That’s the thing about icewine, it’s not like harvesting other fruit, where you know when you’re going to pick. Icewine picking can happen in a number of months, part of why its extreme winemaking” 

“So what are the optimal conditions for picking Bruce?” we ask?

“I like to pick between at least minus 9, 9.5 to minus 11.

I always wait for the cold temps.  I like what you said Georgia about the freeze and thaw…. that’s what gives a wine the complexity in the end, that repetitive cycle helps develops the important components of a great icewine.

With the crazy warm temperatures we’ve had so far, how is the 2011 icewine vintage looking?

“I really like what I see, I’m cautiously optimistic, our yields were good, the birds didn’t get them, kind of a relief, Wednesday was cooperative enough, we picked up everything we needed to… left a few rows, about 8 or so… (we learn that approximately 15% of the expected yield for table grapes is all you get for icewine…. which contribute to its richer price)

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Legends Estates Winery to tantalize the palate under the direction of owner Paul Lizak on The Wine Ladies Icewine Tour to Niagara

Paul Lizak, will guide us through a to-die for wine and food pairing, and sampling of outrageously delicious award winning wines!

Join us on our Shimmer of Gold Icewine Tour January 15th, where you will be treated as our VIP for the day, enjoying fine wine, food and entertainment. Twenty Valley, our destination, transforms into a wintry wonderland during the Niagara Icewine Festival, the village comes alive with music, delectable dishes, award winning wines, ice sculptures and terrific shopping! Don’t miss out, come and celebrate the festival, the winter and personally selected wineries with us!

We’ll spend some time in the village, including a light lunch (after first winery visit) and be treated to a trio of personal and unique wine experiences courtesy of three award winning hand selected wineries. Wineries we’ll be visiting include Fielding Estate Winery and Vineland Estates Winery, with Legends Estates Winery as our final destination awaiting us with a very special treat….. the Nectar of the Greek Gods

Transport your palate to heights that rival Mount Olympus as Legends Estates serve up warm Pulled Lamb Souvlaki, infused with their award-winning Vidal Icewine and served on a fresh pita with homemade tzatziki.

Savour their Silver Medal 2010 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve VQA and 2006 Shiraz Reserve VQA, delicious wine pairings that would bring even Dionysus to his knees…

A little Legends Estates Winery history …the roots of a romance with the land run deep in the Lizak family, founders and owners of Legends Estates. In 1946, matriarch Sophie Lizak and husband John planted the seeds of enterprise on a tender fruit farm of a dozen acres. The fertile soil and micro-climate of the Niagara Peninsula fed their passion and as time passed, the customs of working the land were handed down from father, to son Ted Lizak to grandson. A half century later, a boutique winery was born on Lake Ontario under John’s grandson, Paul Lizak. Since then Legends Estate Winery has become an award winning winery, also known to be Niagara’s number one lakefront property, breath taking and an extremely popular venue for weddings, as one might well imagine. Our experience, here at Legends Estates Winery will include having the pleasure to meet, and be lead through the sampling of four Legends Estates award winning wines by the proprietor Paul Lizak personally. Mr. Lizak will guide us through a private tasting experience that showcases their rare Niagara grown varietals such as Semillon and Malbec as well as their 2010 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve VQA and the 2006 Shiraz Reserve VQA.

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Join us Jan 22nd http://guestli.st/79104  for The Wine Lades Shimmer of Gold Icewine Tour taking place during the annual Niagara Icewine Festival. Sure to be a stupendous day, a wintry wonderland awaits you, come and celebrate Icewine and winter, with us, at the annual Niagara Icewine Festival. We’ll visit three personally selected wineries where our small group will enjoy a unique VIP wine experience just for us. In between visits, we’ll spend a little time in the village, with the festival offering up fabulous wines, superb foods, and lots of shopping and entertainment. The ice sculptures and roasting marshmallows are always a hit too!

Our 2^nd stop on the 22^nd will be the stunning Reif Estate Winery www.reifwinery.com where the philosophy that “great wines start in the vineyard” is the cornerstone of the quality and integrity of Reif Estate wines. Reif Estate Winery. One of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s founding-family wineries, Reif opened in 1982, after founder Ewald Reif planted its vineyards in 1977; the property was later acquired by nephew Klaus W. Reif. Today, the large 50-hectare site produces a complete range of varietals, including Vidal Icewine, a perennial medal winner. Premium “first growth” reds from the oldest vines are turning heads as well

Our special experience at Reif Estate Winery: The Sweet and Savoury Experience

Explore Reif Estate Winery and hear the story of how Klaus W. Reif brought his 13^th generation winemaking skills to the Niagara Region and founded a 125 acre vineyard in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake. Your tour will conclude with a comparative tasting of a dry Riesling and Cabernet Franc followed by a Riesling and Cabernet Franc Icewine.

Before you head off for your next wine adventure – stop in at our Icewine Festival annual pig roast and taste our signature Vidal Icewine paired with Porketta and apple Icewine sauce.

To book your tickets please call 905-338-6797 or buy on line here http://guestli.st/79104

 Follow Reif Estate Winery on Twitter @reifwinery and like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ReifEstateWinery

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