Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
Louise Valle (left) chats with The Most Hon. Edward Seaga and his wife Carla, as the Canadian High Commissioner hosted a Tasting of Canada's Icewine. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
LUVS, ONCE upon a
time the protocol and snobbery that attached itself to the fine art of wine making and consumption demanded that in order for it to be considered 'good', it had to be from one of the more established vineyards of Europe. Traditions held fast and that region was regarded as the bible on viticulture and oenology.
Well, that was then.
There's been a quiet revolution taking place that has not only been changing the face of 'wine-country', it has also been demystifying the business of wine and in the process attracting a whole new generation of enthusiasts.
The fine art of wine making, my darlings, is no longer the exclusive purview of any one region, continent, state or country, as in recent years a plethora of wineries not only sprung up in non-traditional wine country and finding remarkable global success, they have been spearheading renewed interest in the wine industry.
OFFERINGS
One of those 'new' countries that have joined the international club of wine producers is our North American neighbour, Canada. Luvs, it seems that while some of the more established wine countries have been sitting back and enjoying their laurels, Canada has been quietly charting its own course and stealing some of the thunder of the traditional producers with some very fine offerings.
Now, y'all should know by now that there's absolutely no reason to reinvent the wheel, the wheel is still up and running. And this seems to be the inspiration behind the success of the Canadian wine industry serving up some traditional products, with new energy and elan, and dears, talk about making waves, well, it's been smooth sailing for the Canadian wine industry, since they have some lands and a region ideally suited for wine production.
One of those Canadian producers who understood the topography and potential of his homeland to break on to the world stage was Donald Ziraldo, the co-founder of Inniskillen Wines, Canada's Premier Estate Winery.
Founded over some 30 years ago, Inniskillen Wines has emerged as a multi-award winning winery, boasting some of the finest wines ever produced.
One of the hottest international sellers on the Inniskillin offering of fine wines is Icewine. My darlings, it's now the only rage of the wine buffs everywhere as this 'new' dessert wine is as fine as they come, and then some! Dears, to refer to Icewine in general is probably to do it the greatest disservice of all, but that aside, it is tres hot!
NEW CHARACTERISTIC
Dears, have you ever had Lemoncello? Well, if you have and you loved it, then you will absolutely adore the Icewine. Sweet-things, wine historians say that the Icewine has been around from the 1700s, having first appeared in the wine regions of Germany and Austria. It was discovered that after reaping grapes for traditional pressing for traditional wines, the grapes that were left on the vines way into December, were thought to be too dehydrated to be considered for normal production. But they actually took on a new characteristic as the dehydrated berries, now frozen, allowed for the concentration of the natural sugars and acids in the berries and an intensification of their flavours.
When harvested and consumed, there was a remarkable beguiling flavour to the Icewine, that made it an instant hit with those who first discovered this 'new' wine.
Not that Icewine found favour with the established notions of what 'good wine' was supposed to be, the 'civilised' palates of the day treated it like some kind of poor and loud relative. Today Icewine is not only fashionably hot, it's celebrated by oenophiles the world over.
RAVE REVIEWS
Dears, some years ago the Canadian High Commission here, in its outreach programme, introduced the celebrated Inniskillin Icewine, at a reception at the High Commission. Well, sweet-things, it earned rave reviews then and continues to do so as though not necessarily available on the national market, international travellers have always found the stylish
bottles great gift packages and
or carry-ons.
For those who enjoy the joys to be found in Icewine, two Friday nights ago the Canadian High Commissioner HE Claudio Valle and his charmingly tres elegant wife, Louise Valle hosted a reception at their official residence in the golden triangle.
SAMPLINGS
Dears, it was a rather charming affair with a critically hand-picked shortlist of guests in attendance. This was a fab little outing whose purpose was the introduction of the celebrated Donald Ziraldo and his fabulous wife Annah Ziraldo. He is the co-founder of Inniskillin Wines of Canada, and author of the fabulous tome Anatomy of a Winery The Art of Wine At Inniskillin; not to mention liberal sampling of Inniskillin Icewine!
With Donald Ziraldo providing autographed copies of his must-have book, and with copious servings of Icewine on offer, the evening wore into night, and nary a soul noticed.
Among those out were: The Most Honourable Edward Seaga, his lovely wife Carla Seaga, Chilean Ambassador HE Alfonzo Silva; Mrs. Beverly Junor-Levy and her lovely daughter Susanne Louis; Capt. Michael Lyn and wife Thalia; Dr. Oswald Harding; Tunty Barrett and wife Ambassador Madge Barrett; the elegant Jennifer Lim; Drs. Dhiru and Laura Tanna; Frank Rosheuvel; Stuart and Yvonne Fisher; Patrick Lynch; Aubyn and Tamara Hill; Jim Gill; Mr. and Mrs. Romy Subotski; the charming Lorna Green; the charmingly fab Allison Peart; Andrew Desnoes; Lisa Bell; Maurice and Hazel Robinson; Angus Gordon; High Commissioner Valle's brother Angelo Valle and his wife Manon Cornellier, visiting from Canada; the oh so fab Edith Jarbeau; High Commission officials Flavia Weir and Yasmin Chong; Leo Taddeo and his fabulous companion; plus a number of others.
And yes, there are moves
afoot to have Inniskillin products, including the fabulous Icewine, distributed here.
