Inniskillin Vidal Icewine 375ML

Inniskillin Vidal Icewine 375ML is a Canadian dessert wine made from naturally frozen Vidal grapes in the Niagara Peninsula, bottled at approximately 9.5% ABV. The 1989 vintage famously won the Grand Prix d'Honneur at Vinexpo Bordeaux in 1991, instantly putting Canadian icewine on the global map. Subsequent vintages have continued to earn critical praise, including 96 points from Decanter for the 2017 vintage and 94 points from Wine Advocate for the 2018.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9.5–10.5% (varies by vintage)  |  Origin: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada  |  Varietal: Vidal (Ugni Blanc × Seibel hybrid)  |  Winery: Inniskillin, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Production & Heritage

Inniskillin was founded in 1975 by Karl Kaiser and Donald Ziraldo in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, and is widely credited as one of the first Canadian wineries to produce icewine commercially — their 1984 vintage was among the earliest labeled as "Eiswein." Grapes for this expression are sourced from the renowned Brae Burn Vineyard, one of Ontario's most prized sites. The Vidal grapes remain on the vine well into winter, protected by netting, until temperatures drop to at least –10°C; they are then hand-harvested and pressed while still frozen, yielding a mere 10–15% of a normal table wine harvest. Fermentation proceeds slowly at around 15°C, preserving the wine's concentrated natural sugars and bright acidity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe peach and apricot lead the nose, followed by layers of marmalade, candied pineapple, and sugared citrus rind. A subtle undercurrent of lychee and honey emerges as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is intensely sweet and nectarous, with mango, tangerine, and candied brown sugar building through the mid-palate. A striking vein of crisp, bold acidity cuts through the richness, keeping the wine balanced and vibrant rather than cloying. Nectarine and lemon notes add complexity toward the peak.

Finish: Long and honeyed, with lingering flavors of dried apricot and kaffir lime that sustain well after each sip. The texture is viscous and creamy, yet the acidity provides a clean, refreshing close.

How to Drink Inniskillin Vidal Icewine

Serve chilled to approximately 10–12°C in a small tulip glass to concentrate the aromatics. This icewine is best appreciated on its own as a dessert course or alongside food. In cocktails, it brings concentrated sweetness and tropical complexity: try it in an Icewine Bellini, where it replaces peach purée for a richer, more aromatic sparkling aperitif; in a Frozen Icewine Margarita, where its mango and citrus character complements lime and tequila; or in an Icewine Spritz with sparkling water and a twist of orange peel for a lighter, effervescent serve.

Best For

• Gifting wine collectors or dessert wine enthusiasts — the 375ml format and prestige label make it a standout presentation
• Pairing with a formal cheese course at a dinner party
• Celebrating milestones like anniversaries or holidays with a uniquely Canadian luxury wine
• Introducing someone to the icewine category through its most recognized producer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Inniskillin Vidal Icewine taste like? It delivers intense flavors of mango, peach, and candied brown sugar balanced by crisp, lively acidity that prevents it from tasting overly sweet. Aromas of marmalade, lychee, and honey add further depth.

How does Inniskillin Vidal Icewine compare to Henry of Pelham Vidal Icewine? Both are respected Niagara Peninsula Vidal icewines, but Inniskillin carries stronger international name recognition following its 1991 Vinexpo Grand Prix d'Honneur win and has a longer track record of high critic scores. Henry of Pelham tends to be positioned at a slightly lower price point and is often described as fruit-forward with somewhat less complexity on the finish.

Is Inniskillin Vidal Icewine good for sipping neat? Absolutely — served chilled and neat is the primary recommended way to enjoy this wine, as the concentrated fruit, honey, and acidity are best experienced without dilution.

Where is Inniskillin Vidal Icewine made? It is produced at the Inniskillin winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, within the Niagara Peninsula appellation. Grapes are sourced from the estate's Brae Burn Vineyard, one of the region's most acclaimed sites.

What foods pair well with Inniskillin Vidal Icewine? Blue cheese and Roquefort, whose saltiness contrasts beautifully with the wine's sweetness; foie gras or duck liver pâté, where the richness of both is lifted by bright acidity; crème brûlée or panna cotta, which echo the wine's creamy texture; fresh stone fruit tarts, which mirror its peach and apricot notes; and spicy Thai or Indian dishes, where the residual sugar tames heat.

What sizes does Inniskillin Vidal Icewine come in? The standard format is a 375ml half-bottle, which is the industry norm for icewine given the extremely low yields involved in production. A 50ml miniature format has also been available in some markets.

Is Inniskillin Vidal Icewine worth the price? Inniskillin positions as a premium icewine from Canada's most internationally recognized producer, and its pricing reflects the labor-intensive harvest — grapes yield only 10–15% of a normal vintage. Within the dessert wine category, it represents strong value relative to top Sauternes or Trockenbeerenauslese of similar critical standing.

Why Inniskillin Vidal Icewine?

No single wine did more to establish Canada's reputation in fine wine than Inniskillin's 1989 Vidal Icewine, whose Grand Prix d'Honneur at Vinexpo Bordeaux stunned the global industry. Decades later, the expression remains the benchmark against which all Canadian icewines are measured, with vintages routinely earning scores above 90 points from publications like Wine Advocate and Decanter. The combination of Brae Burn Vineyard fruit, extreme cold-climate harvesting at –10°C, and painstaking slow fermentation produces a wine of remarkable concentration without sacrificing the bright acidity that keeps each sip lively. For anyone seeking a world-class dessert wine with genuine provenance, this is where the category begins and ends.