Come celebrate the frozen grape with the annual Niagara Icewine Festival in January: What you need to know

Note: The Niagara Icewine Festival is coming next month. Here’s what you need to know from a news release issued Dec. 16.

Icewine harvest had an early start this year as the temperature began to dip to below -8C in late November; temperatures that Canadians proudly embrace.

Icewine harvest varies from year to year as Icewine growers are dependent on Mother Nature, but one thing that remains cool and dependable is the Niagara Icewine Festival: an annual celebration in January that turns the region into an unforgettable wintery wonderland of Icewine sensations and Icewine-inspired experiences.

The Icewine Festival, a one-of-a-kind celebration, is a time when consumers have the best opportunity to discover and enjoy Canada’s most cherished product. For three weeks in January, wine enthusiasts, cocktail fans, foodies and music lovers can all choose from a collection of Icewine related events reflecting the authentic and local flavours of Ontario.

Events will be hosted throughout the Niagara region and at the outdoor street festivals in the towns of Jordan Village and Niagara-on-the-Lake where visitors can admire sparkling ice sculptures, warm up to cozy open fires and enjoy live entertainment.

New this year is Niagara-on-the-Lake’s ‘Sparkle & Ice’, the evening of Friday, January 17^th where Icewinemakers will be sharing their favourite VQA wines paired with Icewine inspired dishes by Signature Kitchen Chefs. Guests will be welcomed with an Icewine Cocktail and a chance to win an authentic Diamond.

This year’s annual Icewine Gala on January 10^th is themed the ‘Bacchus Evening of Icewine & Revelry’. Festival activities will take place throughout Twenty Valley’s Jordan Village and Niagara-on-the-Lake from January 10^th – 26^th, 2014.

Visitors can purchase a Discovery Pass, where guests can choose from over 30 incredible wine and culinary experiences along the Wine Route. Along with an array of Icewine, visitors can also taste Ontario’s sensational sparkling wines and delicious VQA red and white wines.

For full details on all Icewine Festival events download the following press releases and event summaries for January 2014: Niagara Icewine Festival Release, Niagara Icewine Festival Brochure, Niagara-on-the-lake Icewine Festival Release, Niagara-on-the-Lake Winter in Wine Country Brochure and Twenty Valley Winter WineFest Release.

You can also visit www.niagaraicewinefestival.com, www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com, www.niagaraonthelake.com, www.twentyvalley.ca and www.winecountryontario.ca.