577318 Thu Dec 04 11:29:17 -0800 2008 14 57 Western Canada 0 4220522 I'm looking to buy my aunt a bottle of ice wine for Christmas and I'd appreciate any recommendations you may have. I'm not a huge wine aficionado myself so any input would help. I'll be purchasing it in Edmonton, if anyone's got a specific store that would carry something nice. Thu Dec 04 11:29:17 -0800 2008 245681 thirdtry33 1 4220558 thirdtry33: Although we drink a lot of wine, apparently like you not much of it has been "icewine" or as the Aussies say, "stickies". What I have tasted has usually been from Ontario rather than the Okanagan. Inniskillin is fine. I think Tinhorn Creek may do it as well. There are quite a large number of wineries in both areas that produce it weather permitting. I prefer riesling to vidal but the latter is often produced in this country as it may be a heartier varietal. As to stores you won't go wrong at deVines on 104th Street. Ed, Annabelle and Dirk all know their wine and will give you the straight goods and advice. Liquor Select on 149th Street is usually good as well. Mind you before you lay out all that cash for 375 ml., you "owe" it to yourself to wander through the Superstore Liquor Store as if they have it, it will usually be cheaper. Thu Dec 04 11:42:57 -0800 2008 4220522 14314 Bob Mac 1 4220617 I'm not an ice wine expert, so maybe someone else will jump in, but I know my two favorites in BC here aren't available in Alberta. Those would be Rollingdale's two offerings and See Ya Later Ranch. However, for Alberta available ice wines, I've had Tinhorn Creek's and it's quite good, though not as delicate and fruity as others. It is more on the sweet side. Thu Dec 04 12:05:46 -0800 2008 4220522 87054 peter.v 2 4220714 I'm not an icewine guy either....Gewurtz is probably as sweet as I care to drink. I did try some See Ya Later and Ganton & Larsen Vidal icewine which I though were good. I purchased them based on this list: http://www.winebc.com/awards.php#cwa2008 Thu Dec 04 12:42:30 -0800 2008 4220617 145820 fmed 1 4220633 I can't help you with the wine itself - seldom drink them - but knowing what part of Ed. you are in would make it easier for people to make recommendations of stores. THere are some great wine shops with good selection and knolwedgeable staff in many parts of town. What's your preferred area to shop? Thu Dec 04 12:11:02 -0800 2008 4220522 144892 Dan G 1 4220684 I usually prefer Inniskillin, but the Niagara version, not the Okanagan one. It can't hurt to go to someplace like deVines or Bin 104 and asking for advice. Thu Dec 04 12:31:25 -0800 2008 4220522 14229 anonymoose 1 4221094 Thanks for the input everyone. I'm located on the southside but I work downtown so both deVines abd Bin 104 are perfect places for me to look. There's a Superstore near my place as well so maybe I'll swing by and check that out tonight. Thu Dec 04 14:50:08 -0800 2008 4220522 245681 thirdtry33 2 4221330 If you are southwest (Riverbend) check out Vines at 23 and Rabbit Hill. My favorite wine shop in Edmonton. Thu Dec 04 16:34:17 -0800 2008 4221094 144892 Dan G 3 4222618 I definitely suggest posting this question on the Chowhounds Wine board. I am not an ice wine drinker but I know that there are some posters on the Wine board who are quite knowledgeable about ice wine. Fri Dec 05 07:34:36 -0800 2008 4221330 99971 anewton 1 4222785 Henry of Pelham Cabernet Franc Ice Wine from Ontario is quite good. Fri Dec 05 08:39:26 -0800 2008 4220522 15955 sumashi 1 4224065 Peller Estates Signature Vidal Icewine is excellent. You can get it in Alberta, but might be hard to find. The See Ya Later Ranch Ehrenfelser is also terrific. If your aunt likes wine on the sweeter side, then you owe it to yourself to find her some bottles of Beni di Batasiolo Moscato d'Asti. And way cheaper - under $20! She'll love you for it! Fri Dec 05 15:27:51 -0800 2008 4220522 17724 ybnormal 1 4224614 http://www.pillitteri.com/ Family has had good luck with this brand... However, it might be Ontario exclusive.... Fri Dec 05 21:07:07 -0800 2008 4220522 240323 MeXx 2 4227326 OOPS, i just checked the bottle and I meant to say Pillitteri Cabernet Franc ice wine, not Henry of Pelham :) Sun Dec 07 12:13:50 -0800 2008 4224614 15955 sumashi 1 4224631 If you can get them - New York State finger lakes region produces some of the best ice and late harvest wines on earth. 'Hunt Valley' is a good place to start, but nearly any of the boutique makers are excellent. Hard to recommend a specific because not all of the wineries that do produce them produce them every year. Fri Dec 05 21:17:03 -0800 2008 4220522 201199 moucon 2 4225083 mouncon: I think I have a bottle of Wagner icewine downstairs that I bought too many years ago that was a very affordable alternative to Canadian and German icewines. The "problem" I have is that we do not drink much sweet wine and I end up leaving them down there. Probably should start opening some half bottles up to see if there is any acidity left or just sugar. Sat Dec 06 08:05:58 -0800 2008 4224631 14314 Bob Mac