Worshipping Icewines at the Sun Peaks Winter Festival of Wine

With Canada now being the largest Icewine maker in the world and temperatures dropping below -30 last week it was fitting to have a seminar titled “Worshipping Icewines” during the 14th Annual Winter Festival of Wine at Sun Peaks Resort.

Icewines can be drizzled over French Toast or waffles with whipped cream, or simply drizzled over vanilla ice cream. Icewines work brilliantly in reductions for pork, for dunking biscotti and old style doughnuts. For the more decadent tastebuds you can try Icewine with a fresh Crème Brûlée. Our host Eric von Krosigk, suggested you could also try Icewine as a Belly Shot!

 The seminar offered a sample of seven Icewines from the Okanangan. Von Krosigk, a Winemaker and Viticulturist from Summerhill Pyramid Winery explained, “Beauty is in the mouth of the holder. It all comes down to thumbs up or thumbs down. ” Below are my thumb ratings out of 5. (There are no thumbs down – they were all fantastic!).

Summerhill Pyramid Winery
2006 Zweigelt Icewine

One of the more expensive Icewines of the seven sampled.
Flavours of Strawberry, White Pepper, Cinnamon and Cherry.

Retail: $148 | Grape: Red

Sonoran Estate Winery
2008 Ehrenfelser Icewine

The least expensive of the samples.
Flavours of Apricot, Maple and Honey.

Retail: $30 | Grape: White

Summerhill Pyramid Winery
2007 Riesling Icewine

Although not my favourite, this Icewine has won several awards.

Retail: $80 | Grape: White

Quail’s Gate Winery
2010 Riesling Icewine

Great taste for a great price.
Flavours of Dried Apple and Dried Apricot.

Retail: $35 | Grape: White

Summerhill Pyramid Winery
2007 Peace Chardonnay Icewine

I didn’t love the scent of the wine however the flavour was lovely.
Would be great with Fresh Fruit or Cheese.

Retail: $80 | Grape: Red

Gehringer Brothers Estate
2010 Cabernet Franc Icewine

The most expensive bottle. The flavour lived up to it’s price tag.
Delicious scent with Bubblegum notes.
Would be great with English Christmas Cake.

Retail: $175 | Grape: Red

Summerhill Pyramid Winery
2007 Pinot Noir Icewine

Had a very Port like taste.
Flavours of Rubarb Crisp and Dried Apricots.

Retail: $125 | Grape: Red