Icewine Harvest in Niagara
Some didn't think it was going to happen....but Mother Nature threw us a snowy curveball this weekend and coupled with a classic Canadian cold front, this turned out to be just what the winemaker ordered. Perfect conditions for an Icewine Harvest. For those of you who have never participated in an Icewine harvest before, it is no easy job. Here is the break down: The grapes are still on the vine and typically cover in netting to keep birds away. It must be at least -8 °C for harvest and depending on the type of wine you want to make, the juice from the grapes is required to hold a minimum % of sugar, which is measured in °Bx. For example: Icewine must be 35 °Bx, Special Select Late Harvest 30 °Bx, Select Late Harvest 26 °Bx. After a sample is pressed from the grapes and the °Bx is measured and you can determine if the grapes are ready, or what style of wine you can attain from the harvest. The crew is then sent out to hand harvest every last bunch. Because the grapes