VQA Icewine
Icewine – one of the world’s most luscious and celebrated wines – is one of the most difficult and challenging. The extreme weather for harvest, the brutal force required for juice extraction and the rigors of fermentation are in complete contrast to the soft, luscious, intense, soothing feel the wine evokes on you once on the palate. The long, extensive finish of Icewine is simply heavenly. One would have to wonder what originally inspired man to press frozen grapes for wine. The simple idea of it seems preposterous but all we can do is say “thanks” and then, enjoy”
VQA Icewine
About Icewine
Region
Icewine production is limited to minority of the wine-growing regions where cold temperature can be reached with some regularity. Therefore, only a few countries in the world can produce icewine.
Quality
Icewine production is regulated in Ontario under the VQA Act and regulations. Strict standards are in place and production is monitored by VQA inspectors from the vineyard to the bottle. Rules cover grape varieties, harvest procedures, winemaking, and testing before the wine is released.
Unique
The yield, however, is far lower than for most wines, requiring ten times more grapes per bottle. The resulting wine is high in natural sugar, low in alcohol, has an amazing acidity level, and is intensely sweet and flavourful.
Production of Icewine
Reserve Icewine
Pillitteri Reserve Icewines are rare and exceptional wines from Canada. Reserve Icewines undergoe maturation in oak barrels. Like table wines, Icewine matures and gains complexity and aromas from oak. All Pillitteri reserve classified Icewine is placed in custom designed bottles embossed with 24kt. gold.
VQA Wine
Our selection of VQA Wine is from Pillitteri Estates Winery, which is located in the heart of Canada’s largest grape growing and winemaking region, only 17km from the world famous Niagara Falls. As the official wine partner of the Canadian Olympic Team, Pillitteri presents the highest quality of winemaking in Canada.
The ‘Riserva Famiglia’ title is only given to wines produced in the best vintage years which have passed through a rigorous tasting panel. In the winery’s 20 year history we have only deemed 6 vintages suitable to produce Family Reserve wines. The Family Reserve Series showcases the wines of a family’s labour of love.
Reserva
Famiglia
Exclamation wines come only from grapes grown in the best vintage years. These wines are exemplary of
the commitment that Pillitteri has made to producing world-class wine. These wines are hand-selected by our Winemaker, Aleksandar Kolundzic as his personal favourites and are treated as such by him during their production.
Exclamation Cellar Series
Exclamation wines come only from grapes grown in the best vintage years. These wines are exemplary of
the commitment that Pillitteri has made to producing world-class wine. These wines are hand-selected by our Winemaker, Aleksandar Kolundzic as his personal favourites and are treated as such by him during their production.
Canadian Flower Series
Selected Carretto Series wines are single varietal classified. These wines express the essence of the Pillitteri’s winemaking philosophy; “To produce the finest wines possible from the highest quality Niagara Peninsula grapes.” Single varietal red wines are only produced in years which meet our strict winemaking and minimum growing degree day standards.
Classical Carretto Series
About Pillitteri
Region
Pillitteri Estates Winery is located in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada. Approximately 17km from the world famous Niagara Falls. The Niagara Peninsula spans approximately 13,600 acres (5440 hectares) nestled in the centre of the world’s wine belt between 41° and 44° North, and has ideal conditions for cool climate wine making.
Quality
Ontario’s VQA wines of origin represent a promise of quality and authenticity. Through origin verification, extensive laboratory testing and tasting by an independent expert panel, as well as comprehensive label reviews, VQA Ontario ensures precise adherence to rigorous winemaking standards and label integrity that consumers can trust.
Awards
Pillitteri Estates Winery has won over 800 wine awards from both local and international competitions. In addition to wine awards the winery has received high praise from wine writers the world over.