Niagara-on-the-Lake residents have many festivals and occasions to look forward to on their calendar all throughout the year, but none are quite so unique, special or intrinsic to the region as the Icewine Festival.
For the uninitiated, icewine is a rare treat that benefits from Niagara-on-the-Lake’s distinctive climate. Wine grapes grow readily in the region, but they also freeze just as readily when temperatures dip below -8° C. These frozen grapes are rapidly harvested and pressed, resulting in an unusually high sugar content and low water. When fermented, this seasonal concoction yields a sweet but acidic wine that is also relatively high in alcohol content.
The region around Niagara-on-the-Lake produces 80 percent of Canada’s icewines, and it can only do so during certain times of the year. These factors come together to make the Icewine Festival a brief but raucous chance to enjoy one of the most remarkable gifts our Niagara-on-the-Lake real estate can give to the world.
Enjoying the Annual Icewine Festival
The 22nd annual Icewine Festival kicks off on January 13, 2017 at the opulent Xerox Icewine Gala. Located at the Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara, Ontario, this year’s Icewine Gala will feature the theme “Sugar & Spice… Everything Ice.” Attendees will enjoy live entertainment and VQA icewines paired with delicious gourmet foods.
After that, Twenty Valley will have their Winter Wine Fest in Jordan Village from the January 13–15, and then Niagara-on-the-Lake will have their own Icewine Festival starting on the 20th.
Niagara-on-the-Lake’s events launch on Friday, January 20 with the “Sparkle and Ice” dinner at the historic courthouse. Attendees can enjoy live music, dinner prepared by local signature kitchens and a chance to win a Sparkling Anniversary Diamond valued at $5000. Guests cap off the evening with an icewine toast served in a glass made of real ice outside the courthouse, followed by a celebratory firework display.
On Saturday the 21st, the Icewine Festival transforms Queen Street into an icy wonderland with unique icewines available from over 20 different local wineries. At 9 p.m., The Flash & Panache Icewine Cocktail Competition begins, which allows guests to sample the entries while judges decide upon their favorite.
The Queen Street Icewine Village reappears the next week, and the festivities continue with the “White on Ice” outdoor dinner. This dinner is limited to just 200 attendees and will take place amongst breathtaking ice sculptures.
Finally, the festivities end on the 30-31st with the Winter Festival. Attendees can enjoy more VQA icewines in addition to craft beers while shopping at the area’s charming local businesses. Whether you attend one event or all of them, the Icewine Festival is a sweet, frosty treat that Niagara-on-the-Lake residents look forward to all year.
Buying Niagara-on-the-Lake Real Estate to Enjoy the Icewine Festival Every year
You can have the perfect staging grounds for the annual Icewine Festival when you buy one of the many gorgeous Niagara-on-the-Lake homes for sale located conveniently close to downtown amidst Canada’s rich wine country. Contact me today to look at homes in the area, or just to say hey at next year’s festivities. Hope to see you there!
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