Ice, Ice Baby: Icewine is Niagara’s Classic Hit
In the infamous words of hip-hop music “Ice is back with a brand new edition.”
Niagara Icewine is one of the most famous wine products in the world, but unbeknownst to many, it didn’t originate in Canada. Niagara Icewine is actually the new “edition” of a German product. Icewine a.k.a Eiswein was first created in Franconia, Germany in 1794. Yet it was Niagara’s reinvention of it in 1984 that made Icewine an international hit.
Like hip-hop, Eiswein was the sampled hook in Niagara’s hit song, Icewine.
Think back to 1990, when a seemingly misfit rapper, Vanilla Ice, reinvented the bassline from Queen and Bowie’s 1981 song “Under Pressure.” The end result, “Ice, Ice Baby,” not only trumped the popularity of the original, but it became the first hip-hop single to ever top the Billboard charts.
Defining moments work the same. When “Ice, Ice Baby” and Niagara Icewine became smash hits, both changed their industries; Vanilla Ice opened the doors for white rappers to be heard, just as Icewine opened the door for Niagara wines to be tasted.
Niagara, a wintry region once thought to be too snowy for great wine, and Vanilla Ice, a Caucasian rapper in a black-dominated scene, redefined who could find success. And (pun intended) both were the whitest to ever become stars.
Inniskillin was the first winery in Niagara to produce Icewine commercially, and it didn’t take long before the world noticed – five years later, Inniskillin’s 1989 Vidal Icewine won the Grand Prix d’Honneur at the 1991 Vinexpo. Following this win, the 90′s became a decade of rapid growth for Niagara. The number of commercial wineries nearly quadrupled in size from 30 to well over 100 producers, and most importantly, international consumers started seeing star-quality in Niagara vintners.
Today, Niagara Icewine has become quite catchy. Often the aperitif of choice for wine-lovers, it is produced in varietals such as Vidal, Riesling and Cabernet Franc, and is an ideal accompaniment to both sweet and savory desserts.
Vidal Icewine is typically noted for its affinity with honeyed flavours. Featuring aromatic qualities such as apricot, tropical fruit and tangerine, oak-aged Vidal will also take on luscious tastes of sweet almonds, vanilla and warm bread. For dessert, it is best paired with sweet treats like a creamy fruit tart, chocolate biscotti or red berry mousse, or with savoury bites such as Beaufort or Gruyere cheeses.
Riesling Icewine, on the other hand is known for its well-balanced acidity and mineral notes. Riesling’s orange and citrus overtones pair with decadent après-meal options ranging from crème brulée to an Asiago and Gouda cheese plate.
Finally, the ruby-hued Cabernet Franc Icewine brings aromatics like warm rhubarb pie and strawberry cake to the table. It harmonizes best with baked fruit desserts made with cherries or strawberries and its spicy character offers a lovely contrast to Pecorino and Stilton cheeses, as well as hazelnut and dark chocolate.
Year after year, Niagara’s exceptional production of Icewine has turned the volume up for international acclaim. To describe this now trendy and award-winning aperitif, calling it ‘cool’ doesn’t seem to cut it. Niagara Icewine is so cool it’s cold. Cold as ice, ice baby.