Inniskillin Vidal Icewine 187ML

Inniskillin Vidal Icewine 187ML is a Canadian icewine from the Niagara Peninsula made with naturally frozen Vidal grapes, bottled at 9.5% ABV. Inniskillin's 1989 Vidal Icewine famously won the Grand Prix d'Honneur at Vinexpo in Bordeaux, a moment widely credited with putting Canadian icewine on the global map. Recent vintages continue to earn critical praise, including 94 points from Wine Enthusiast (2017 vintage) and 93 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2019 vintage).

Quick Facts: ABV: 9.5%  |  Origin: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada  |  Varietal: Vidal  |  Winery: Inniskillin

Production & Heritage

Inniskillin was founded in 1975 as one of the first estate wineries licensed in Ontario since Prohibition, and it remains the most recognized name in Canadian icewine. The Vidal grape — a hardy hybrid of Ugni Blanc and Seibel — is ideally suited to icewine production because its thick skin withstands the prolonged hang time required on the vine. Grapes are hand-harvested at temperatures between -10°C and -13°C, then pressed while still frozen so that much of the water content remains behind as ice crystals, yielding only 5 to 10 percent of a normal harvest. The resulting juice is intensely concentrated and ferments slowly over several months, with fermentation stopping naturally around 9.5–12% alcohol due to the extreme residual sugar.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe peaches and apricots emerge immediately, followed by layers of orange marmalade, candied pineapple, and sugared citrus rind. The aromatic intensity is striking even from this small-format bottle.

Taste: The entry is rich and creamy, coating the palate with honey, mango, and stone fruit. At mid-palate, bright flashes of tangerine and Meyer lemon acidity cut through the sweetness, keeping the wine balanced and lively. Candied brown sugar and waxy floral tones add complexity without cloying weight.

Finish: Long and persistent, with lingering apricot and citrus rind that slowly fades into a clean, honeyed sweetness. The acidity remains present through the close, leaving the palate refreshed rather than heavy.

How to Drink Inniskillin Vidal Icewine

Serve well-chilled, between 8–10°C, in a small tulip-shaped glass to concentrate the aromas. Sipping neat is the classic approach, allowing the full interplay of sweetness and acidity to unfold. For cocktails, try an Icewine Bellini — replacing Prosecco's sweetener with a splash of this icewine intensifies the stone-fruit character. A Frozen Vidal Spritz combining icewine, soda water, and a lemon twist makes an elegant warm-weather aperitif. An Icewine Martini, shaken with premium vodka, showcases the wine's viscosity and tropical notes in a more spirited format.

Best For

• Gifting someone who appreciates dessert wines or Canadian specialties
• Serving alongside a formal dessert course at a dinner party
• Sampling icewine for the first time without committing to a full 375ml bottle
• Pairing with a cheese board as an after-dinner indulgence

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Inniskillin Vidal Icewine taste like? It delivers rich, concentrated flavors of ripe peach, apricot, mango, and honey, balanced by vibrant acidity with notes of tangerine and Meyer lemon. The texture is lush and creamy, finishing long with candied citrus and floral undertones.

How does Inniskillin Vidal Icewine compare to Jackson-Triggs Reserve Vidal Icewine? Both are Niagara Peninsula Vidal icewines at similar price points, but Inniskillin generally shows more pronounced tropical and marmalade complexity. Jackson-Triggs Reserve tends toward a lighter, more citrus-forward profile with slightly less viscosity on the palate.

Is Inniskillin Vidal Icewine good for beginners? The 187ml split format is an ideal introduction to icewine — a small enough pour to explore the style without a large investment. Its balanced acidity prevents the sweetness from overwhelming newcomers to dessert wines.

Where is Inniskillin Vidal Icewine made? Inniskillin produces this icewine in the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario, Canada, one of the world's premier icewine-producing regions due to its reliable winter freezes and temperate growing seasons.

What foods pair well with Inniskillin Vidal Icewine? Blue cheese and aged Stilton complement the wine's sweetness with savory contrast. Crème brûlée and fruit tarts echo its caramelized stone-fruit notes. Foie gras or duck liver pâté is a classic pairing that balances richness with acidity. Fresh tropical fruit salad mirrors the mango and peach character without competing.

What sizes does Inniskillin Vidal Icewine come in? This expression is available in the 187ml split bottle, which is the most common retail format; a 375ml half-bottle is also widely produced.

Is Inniskillin Vidal Icewine worth the price? Icewine commands higher prices than table wine due to its extremely low yields — just 5 to 10 percent of a standard harvest — and the labor-intensive hand-picking process in freezing temperatures. Inniskillin positions as the benchmark producer in the category, and the 187ml format offers a relatively accessible entry into genuine Canadian icewine.

Why Inniskillin Vidal Icewine?

Inniskillin is the winery that introduced the world to Canadian icewine, and its Vinexpo Grand Prix d'Honneur in 1989 remains one of the most significant moments in the country's wine history. Decades later, current releases still earn scores in the low-to-mid 90s from major publications, confirming consistency across vintages. The Vidal grape's thick skin and natural resistance to winter conditions make it uniquely suited to this style, producing a concentration of flavor that few dessert wines can match at this price tier. In the 187ml split format, this is one of the most practical ways to experience a world-class icewine without the commitment of a larger bottle.