Canadian Icewine

Winter’s Nectar

Canadian Icewine is a sweet dessert wine renowned for its rich flavours
and unsurpassed smoothness. While Icewine is also made in Germany,
Austria and the United States, Canada is the only wine-producing region in
the world with a climate so cold that its vintners can guarantee an annual
production of this highly sought-after product.

Icewine is created from grapes naturally frozen on the vine, a process that
generates a thick golden liquid with highly concentrated natural sugars
and flavours. The resulting wines are of spectacular quality, with subtle
bouquets of peaches, apricots, tropical fruits, honey, toffee, caramel, maple
and nuts, depending on the grape varietal used in making the Icewine. The
range of grape varietals is continually expanding as producers move to red
wine grapes—such as Cabernet Franc—from the traditional Icewine base
of Vidal and Riesling grapes. Icewine is also being infused into sparkling
wines and spirit-based products, expanding the range of Icewine products
even further.

Most Canadian Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) Icewine comes from

Ontario, followed by British Columbia. Quebec and Nova Scotia produce
Icewine in smaller quantities.

A hard-earned harvest

Canadian Icewines command premium prices because they are expensive

and risky to make. The process begins when the grower leaves a select
part of the vineyard unharvested, and waits for Canada’s bone-chilling
cold to descend. As temperatures fall throughout the autumn and into the
winter, the vintner watches anxiously as the grapes endure the natural
hazards of wind, rot, hail, sleet, and the predations of hungry birds.

If all goes well, and vineyard temperatures reach -8°C or lower, the harvest
can begin. Icewine harvests often begin at night so that grapes may be
picked and delivered to processing facilities before daytime temperatures
warm. Grapes must be processed while still frozen. Much of the Icewine
grape crop, especially that belonging to small producers, is also picked by
hand—a challenging endeavour in the cold conditions!
 The yield of grapes to make Icewine is very small compared to that of a normal table-wine
grape harvest. Three or more kilograms of grapes will only produce one 375-ml bottle of
finished Icewine, while the same weight of fruit, normally harvested, will provide up to 10 times
that amount of table wine. However, the results are well worth it. After settling for several days,
this golden nectar is aged for several months, allowing the juice to be transformed into an
intensely sweet and flavourful, perfectly balanced Canadian Icewine. This wine is an excellent
complement to desserts such as cobblers and cheesecake, or to starters such as foie gras and
pâté. And, of course, it is superb when appreciated all on its own.

Quality guaranteed

The sterling quality of Canadian Icewines is guaranteed because of the exacting standards
followed by producers. Icewine production is also closely watched by VQA regulatory authorities.
Each vintage is carefully monitored to ensure that the Icewine comes from approved grapes grown
within a defined viticultural area, and that the grapes are picked and pressed at or below the
required temperature of -8°C. The average natural sugar levels of the juice must meet strict
criteria and both the alcohol and residual sugar in the finished wine must come exclusively
from the natural sugar of the grapes.

It is this stringent approach and meticulous care that ensures Canadian Icewines are genuine
and of the highest quality. As further proof of quality, Canadian Icewines continue to receive
the highest awards at the world’s most prestigious international wine fairs, including Vinexpo
and VinItaly.

Taste the Canadian difference

Canada’s Icewines appeal to the most discriminating palates and command premium prices
around the world. For further information on the Canadian Icewine industry, please visit:

Government websites
• Agri-Food Trade Service
www.ats-sea.agr.gc.ca

Industry websites
• Canadian www.canadianvintners.com
• Vintners Quality Alliance www.vqaontario.com
• Wines of Ontario www.winesofontario.org
• BC www.winebc.com
• Wines of Nova www.winesofnovascotia.ca
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Canadian Icewine

Trade Statistics
The following tables represent Canada’s total trade in a given export commodity based on Statistics Canada data. The
product categories represent HS code groupings and have not been modified. In most cases, statistics have been presented
at the 6 or 8 digit level. Statistics are presented in Canadian dollars and are complete through year end 2010.

Canada's Exports to All Countries (HS Code 22042110)

Growth
Product ($CAD) 2007 2008 2009 2010
2007-2010
Icewine, in containers holding 2 litres or less 11,588,800 11,602,806 8,614,421 12,035,009 3.9%
Growth
Product (Quantity, LTR) 2007 2008 2009 2010
2007-2010
Icewine, in containers holding 2 litres or less 175,694 193,464 127,858 171,638 -2.3%

Canada's Monthly Exports to All Countries Canada's Exports to All Countries by Province
(HS Code 22042110, Value $CAD) (HS Code 22042110, Value $CAD)

Month 2007 2008 2009 2010 Province 2007 2008 2009 2010
Jan 705,628 888,294 608,773 550,385 Alberta 0 1,498 0 32,448
Feb 856,653 558,106 567,490 524,104 British Columbia 925,975 596,732 946,862 1,275,748
Mar 931,700 1,023,146 540,173 1,176,017 Nova Scotia 0 0 0 3,000
Apr 629,835 1,141,398 402,650 903,908 Nunavut 0 0 0 1,794
May 652,797 846,695 539,114 854,386 Ontario 10,506,446 10,937,068 7,146,353 10,183,882
Jun 910,738 580,914 461,919 927,251 Prince Edward
0 1,948 0 0
Jul 456,475 1,436,811 853,054 670,846 Island
Aug 762,002 360,853 441,607 979,717 Québec 156,379 65,560 521,206 538,137
Sep 1,670,754 1,706,240 631,525 946,444
Oct 1,373,656 1,414,391 1,755,042 1,625,484
Nov 1,352,574 853,928 1,017,113 1,113,605
Dec 1,285,988 792,030 795,961 1,762,862
TOTAL 11,588,800 11,602,806 8,614,421 12,035,009

Canada's Top 10 Icewine Markets

(HS Code 22042110, Value $CAD)

Growth
Country 2007 2008 2009 2010
2007-2010
TOTAL: 11,588,800 11,602,806 8,614,421 12,035,009 3.9%
China 2,157,300 1,657,209 2,519,011 4,673,747 116.6%
United States 1,810,280 2,725,655 1,266,567 1,579,739 -12.7%
South Korea 2,767,062 2,226,465 1,343,696 1,551,298 -43.9%
Hong Kong 623,713 704,403 352,807 1,027,549 64.7%
Singapore 1,108,240 841,730 1,070,718 955,543 -13.8%
United Kingdom 304,320 540,197 402,706 656,976 115.9%
Japan 723,632 932,974 499,162 381,237 -47.3%
Taiwan 594,432 543,124 322,486 297,639 -49.9%
United Arab Emirates 58,354 30,090 72,831 254,605 336.3%
Malaysia 198,287 207,659 182,348 158,697 -20.0%