Category: Wines

For a lot of crops, an early frost can be the kiss of death. But for winemakers, they realized that leaving grapes on the vines well into the late fall resulted in the grapes producing a more concentrated sweetness as the grapes began to resemble raisins. The sugary dessert wine first came about in Germany and Austria (dubbed eiswein) and has since gained popularity.

How To Produce Icewine

That being said, the process of making true icewine is a bit more complicated and not just left to chance. For the optimal taste, and to avoid ruining the grapes with an overly harsh frost, the frozen grapes must be harvested at the exact time they are cold enough to crystallize the water, concentrating the juice, and this must happen naturally according to the temperature outside.

As it is such a particular process to create, icewine sometimes cannot be made every year if the weather conditions permit otherwise. And of course, global warming has affected the weather immensely, making it a hit or miss.

Thankfully in Canada, where the rules of what is considered a true icewine are even stricter (higher minimum sugar levels in grapes), the weather is on our side and wineries are able to produce icewine almost every year. To celebrate the popularity of the sweet wine, the Niagara Region hosts the Niagara Icewine Festival every year where samples from many different wineries can be tried.

 

Serving Icewine

The somewhat fussy nature of creating icewine is worth it though, and you’ll find that the more expensive, smaller bottle full of rich sweetness will go a long way as it is meant to be served in smaller glasses and sipped.

Icewine is traditionally served in a small chilled glass, either a champagne flute or a white wine glass on the smaller side, as you would use for Sauvignon Blanc. That being said, it’s ideal to serve icewine in a glass big enough to still allow you to swirl it around.

Half a bottle should provide about two ounces per person if you have six to eight people over for dinner and you plan on drinking ice wine with dessert. Drinking too much at a time would both be overwhelming and very costly for the host!

Serve chilled icewine after it has been in the fridge for a couple of hours. It should be cool, definitely no less than four degrees, not cold when you serve the icewine like with other dessert wines.

Storing Icewine

Ideally, the wine should be stored on its side and on a slant to keep the cork moist and at a temperature no higher than around ten degrees.

As if you needed any reason to serve ice wine on any occasion, here’s one more: it is recommended to not try and age icewine. Usually, the icewine you buy is either from last year’s harvest or sometimes the one before, either because so little is produced or just because there are no benefits from letting it sit. Wine producers usually recommend not to leave it for more than four years, but it’s up to your own personal taste.

When Should You Drink Icewine?

The jury is still out on whether this should truly be considered a dessert wine. Some people believe it should be served when dinner is done, when guests are already full and not likely to want to drink too much! On the other hand, some say it shouldn’t be served then as people won’t enjoy it. Whenever you choose to drink your icewines, know that the sweet wine is a special treat and a lot of work has been put into it.

What Food To Pair With Icewine

One rule when you serve a dessert wine is to never pair it with a food that is sweeter than the wine itself, as in comparison it will end up tasting bitter. Ideally, it should be served with very dark chocolate, fruity tarts, nice aged gruyere, or other hard cheeses.

If you are one of the people who don’t think icewine should be limited to after the meal, know that it can pair very well with spicy dishes like Indian or Thai curries, and even takes a bit of sting away from Buffalo wings!

In France, icewine is sometimes served closer to the beginning of the meal as it compliments foie gras and cheeses very nicely. It can also accompany the main course of seafood, such as scallops and lobster, duck a l’orange, sashimi, and more, if you’re willing to step outside the box and give it a try.

Sparkling Icewine

What is the difference between icewine and sparkling icewine? Well, in short, it’s fizzy! Before the fermentation process is completed, after the alcohol level reaches 9%, the vat is closed and CO2 cannot escape and, therefore, stays in the wine, making it carbonated, fizzy, and sparkling!

As with sparkling water, the fizziness makes your tongue less able to detect the sweetness, therefore, it can complement more foods such as nuts and a variety of cheese and fruit desserts.

Icewine Cocktails

If you’re looking for another way to enjoy the sweet wine, know that it is the perfect addition to great cocktails!

Whip up a Canadian Manhattan easily with only a few ingredients: 1⁄2 oz of Riesling or Vidal Icewine, 1 oz bourbon, 1⁄2 oz maple syrup, and a maraschino cherry on top.

Or, even simpler, keep things cool with a Berry Frosty Cocktail. You only need 1 1/2 oz of Vidal Icewine, 3 ozs of peach juice, 1 oz rosé sparkling wine and five strawberries.

However you choose to enjoy your icewine, it’s fascinating to know how much work went into making it and what a treat it really is. It’s true that the best things really do come in the smallest packages.

Although Toronto isn’t especially old compared to some other cities in Canada, unless you count York which is located within it, it makes up for it with its huge variety of diverse attractions that will interest any tourist. Whether you’re a shopper, an art enthusiast, an explorer, sports fanatic, or wine connoisseur, Toronto will not disappoint.

A List Of Fun Things To Do In & Around Toronto

Art

Toronto is home to more than one art gallery but is perhaps best known for the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). The AGO is 583, 000 square feet and has over 4, 000 works of art on display. Located in the Grange Park neighbourhood, it isn’t far from the infamous graffiti alley. The group of alleyways beginning at the corner of Rush and Portland is the canvas for many talented artists to legally create beautiful street art on brick and mortar. In addition, the Royal Ontario Museum (also known as The ROM) was established in 1912 and is best known for its ancient Egyptian and Chinese collections.

Music

If live music or comedy shows are more your scene, you should check out what is playing at one of the many easy-to-access venues such as Massey Hall, Meridian Hall, or The Danforth Music Hall. Additionally, the Budweiser Stage holds great outdoor concerts for the summer months and you can sit on the grassy hill and enjoy your favourite musicians.

Theatre

Toronto also has various spectacular venues such as The Royal Alexandra, The Princess of Wales and The Ed Mirvish Theatre where Broadway and other major shows can be seen. Come From Away is currently playing, but Kinky Boots, Wicked, The Lion King, and Rock of Ages have also made a stop over the years.

Shopping

If you are in Toronto and love to shop, you must check out Yonge Street and its over six-hundred retail stores. It also happens to be the longest street in the world! The Toronto Eaton Centre is an indoor mall that also happens to be located on this street. If you prefer smaller shops over retail chains, then definitely check out Kensington Market, Chinatown and St Lawrence Market for quirky stores, vintage and retro pieces, and antique markets. The South Market is where you can find upwards of fifty food vendors and the North Market hosts the Farmer’s Market every Sunday.

Sports

Although the Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t won the Stanley Cup in a long time, it’s still fun to take in a game at the Scotiabank Arena. Just maybe don’t mention their lack of winning to the die-hard fans as it’s a bit of a sore spot. The Hockey Hall of Fame is the ultimate destination for enthusiasts of the sport as it holds all sorts of records and trophies and exhibits different players regularly. Here you can learn all about the history of hockey in Canada and buy some merchandise as well. If you are visiting in the summer, watching the Toronto Blue Jays play a game at the Rogers Centre is always great fun! Close by is Ripley’s Aquarium and the CN Tower and Steamwhistle Brewery, so you can complete your fun-filled day.

Kid-Friendly Activities

If you’re bringing your kids along on the trip to Canada’s largest city, they’ll love visiting the amusement park known as Canada’s Wonderland. Apart from special events like Winterfest and Screamfest, it is not open year-round, so that’s something to keep in mind. The Toronto Zoo is always a hit as well and is the largest zoo in all of Canada, not to mention the theme park Centreville located on one of the Toronto islands which can be reached by taking a short ferry ride across Lake Ontario.

For the Foodies

With Toronto being a popular destination for immigrants to land, the food also happens to be very diverse. Whether you want to do some fine dining, visit a food market, or check out one of the many food festivals that occur throughout the year, you won’t be disappointed by the delicious food the city has to offer. Some particularly notable restaurants are the 416 Snack Bar, the Maple Leaf Tavern, and Richmond Station. For the amazing views of the CN Tower alone, we should mention The Porch, a rooftop patio right in the Entertainment District. It even has rooftop skating in the winter, such a truly Canadian activity.

Looking To Get Out Of Downtown Toronto? Make Your Way To Niagara Falls

Although you could probably spend months and never run out of fun things to do in and around Toronto, you’d be missing out if you didn’t take a day trip south to not of Canada’s top attractions: Niagara Falls. Apart from the waterfalls themselves, there’s plenty of amusements, a wax museum, casinos, and Ripley’s Believe it or Not. You can take a ride on the Maid of the Mist, a tourist boat company that takes guests under the falls on the Niagara River. Or, if you want to stay dry, you can check out the city from the sky on a helicopter ride or view it from the giant Ferris wheel.

Wine Country

But perhaps one of Ontario’s best-kept secrets is wine country. Because of where the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is situated amongst the great lakes, it has a unique climate that is perfect for growing grapes. Over fifty wineries are located in the Niagara Region, making it the perfect place for full-day outings hopping from one winery to another! There are many wine tours running to make this possible and there are rental bikes if you’d rather pedal around at your leisure.

With so many to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start. Some of the most notable ones are Peller Estates, Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery and Distillery (yes, it’s owned by the great one!), Stratus and The Hare Wine Co. The latter is known for their Winter Wonderland Icewine Experience, but private tastings are available all year. Because of their uniquely flat topography, maximum sun exposure results in full-bodied wines. You’re bound to end up taking a few bottles home.

Full of History

Not only is the town itself absolutely beautiful and resembles a postcard, but it is also where you will find the Fort George National Historic Site, Butler’s Barracks and the Laura Secord Homestead. History buffs will be in their element learning about their involvement in the war of 1812 and watching reenactments. Picnic areas are abundant if you want to grab some prepared foods at one of the many cafés and relax.

Making Day Trips Around Toronto Has Never Been Easier

If you haven’t already stopped reading this to book your trip to Toronto, what’s stopping you from doing so now?

When you ask someone about wine pairings, a common answer is “wine and cheese”. The sweet with the salty. The sharp with the fatty. It’s a centuries-old pairing that is extremely popular.

However, there is much more to pairing wines with food than just cheese. When it comes to a nice glass of rose wine, there are several great food pairings that can unlock tastes and experiences that your mouth will be thanking you for.

Wine is so much more than just an alcoholic beverage made from grapes. There are undertones and hints of different flavours that create an experience as you sip on your glass. Winemaking is such an intricate process that creates such delicate flavours.

Rosé pairings favour savoury and salty foods with sweet wine. If you’re looking for some great pairings, you’ve come to the right place.

Rosé: What Is It?

Known for its pretty pink colouring and refreshing taste on a hot summer day, rosé wine is a fairly popular genre of wine. When served in a chilled glass, this drink will cool you down and transport you to a tropical resort.

Rosés are made from any blend of red grade and can be both sweet and dry, depending on the blend of grapes. Many winemakers recommend that rosé wines are served chilled to get the best taste.

Why Is It Pink?

It’s a common myth that says that rosé is made by combining red and white wines together to create a pink-coloured beverage. However, the real secret to the pretty colouring is a bit more intricate.

The wine gets its popular pink colouring from the grape skins used while making the wine. When the juice and the skin are left to macerate for a few hours, the drink turns the light pink colour. Then, the winemakers remove the skins and leave the juice to ferment.

Types of Rosé Wines

While many people know rosé to be quite sweet, you can also find rosés that are quite dry or bitter. Dry wine is known for being less sweet and will often have slightly different food pairing options.

Whether you like your sugary or a dry rosé there are bottles for everyone. There are a few popular types of rosé that can act as an introduction to this genre of wine.

Sweet Rosé Wines

• White Zinfandel
• White merlot
• Pink Moscato

Dry Rosé Wines

• Carignan
• Cinsault
• Pinot Noir
• Grenache

Rosé Wine Pairings

Now that you know a bit more about rosé, how it’s made, and its flavour, we can take a better look at the different dishes and recipes that pair nicely with a bottle of rosé. Pairings help bring out the full flavour of both the wine and the food that it’s paired with.

You’ll want to consider the different flavour profiles of the food and the spices, sauces, or dressings that are used. Switching things up can change the food pairings and bring a whole new experience.

Because rosé is known for its sweeter taste, many of the pairings will be salty or savoury in order to combat the sweetness and acidity of the wine.

Some Starters

If you’re going out for some drinks and appetizers, there are some great starters that you can pair with your chilled wine beverage. Your light appetizers should be paired with lighter styles of rosé. Appetizers that use olives, anchovies, or other salty foods are your best bet.

A particularly great pairing is a creamy cheese like brie with rosé. A simple spread of cheeses, dips, and salty nuts is another great option to consider. You may also try a goat cheese salad with some olive oil dressing to go with your drink.

These pairs will be the perfect addition to your summer picnic.

The Main Course

Next up on the list is the main course. The main dish is the heart of the meal and is going to be where a lot of the flavour lies. Now maybe you’re hosting a dinner party or just want to find a nice food pairing with your takeout. Whatever the reason, there are some great main dishes that can pair perfectly with your rosé wines.

Seafood

When thinking about the type of meat that you want to serve with your glass of rosé, you should lean towards grilled seafood like salmon, shrimp, tuna, lobster, and other types of seafood. The flavour profile of a dish like grilled salmon is a great choice for your summer dinner and will provide a delightful taste experience.

Other Meats

If seafood isn’t your thing, you might also try some grilled sausage, grilled chicken, or some lamb. A grilled dish gives you a smoky flavour that will harmonize with the sweetness of the rosés. While full-bodied wines like red wine often mask the delicate taste of lamb, a light rosé will complement the meat nicely.

Vegetarian/Vegan Options

For vegans and vegetarians, you might try a vegan/vegetarian pizza when pairing your meal with rosé. Other summertime favourites include BBQ vegetables like peppers, corn, eggplant, zucchini, and onions. If you like spicy food, be sure to season the veggies with a range of pepper spices to add to the flavour experience.

Desserts

Everyone knows that the dessert is the best part of the meal. Want to make your dessert experience even better? Pair your glass with some dark chocolate, lemon bars, cheesecake, or some rich truffle. All of these rich, creamy flavours will pair nicely with a sweeter or sparkling rosé.

If you have a dry wine, you might consider some fruit tart or pudding to complement the drier wine.

All of these food pairings create the perfect recipe for a beautiful meal to enjoy in the summer.

The Hare Wine Co.

Want to find your next bottle of rosé? Check out our online shop and view our selection of rosés, red wine, and white wine, each with its specific flavour profile. You’ll be amazed at the different tastes and flavours you can experience in a bottle of wine.

Interested in food pairings for white or red wine? Check out our other pairings and recipes for any at-home cook!

These fresh and fruit-froward blends are easy drinking and ready to please a crowd. Wines and labels were designed by owner John Hare who wanted to share his discovery and the excitement of Niagara wines in an inviting way.

These racy wines appropriately bear our namesake the hare, who was nicknamed the Jack Rabbit for their long ears. But it is their long hind legs that give them their speed and propel them up to 65 kilometres per hour!

Wines in this collection pay homage to the founding farm settlers who were granted local properties through deeded papers by the Crown. Our property,  deeded Lot 171, is now home to varietals like Riesling and Vidal which can be used to produce wines that are food-friendly and ready to drink now.

This collection pays tribute to the original explorers of Niagara who pushed all boundaries and seeked to create a new environment. Wines of the collection feature wood labels and are complex and ageable. Winemaking techniques include unique styles, oak ageing and Icewine which all require commitment and vision.

 

The Hare’s most premium wines suitably are signalled by a nod to the nobility of the past who formed Canada’s original capital Newark, now Niagara on the Lake. Ultra-premium wines are distinguished with an iconic metal label of a hare representing the pride of owner John Hare.