Icewine has been synonymous with Canada since Donald Ziraldo, a University of Guelph graduate (and football quarterback), and his late business partner Karl Kaiser won the Grand Prix d’Honneur, Canada’s first international wine medal, at Vinexpo in Bordeaux, in 1991 with their 1989 Vidal Icewine. Teaming up with a newer Niagara entrepreneur, Geoff Dillon of Dillons Small Batch Distillery, this cocktail is perfect at the beginning of a meal or as a treat on a terrace. The frozen grapes keep the flavours chilled and fresh without diluting them. We use Victoria’s Vineyard 2014 Icewine.
The Classic Icewine Martini
- Dillons Small Batch Vodka 2 parts, chilled or frozen
- Ziraldo Icewine 1 part, chilled
- Frozen Seedless Grapes 3 – 4 per serving
- In a chilled pitcher, gently stir together the vodka and Icewine. Place frozen grapes into martini glasses. Pour the martini mix over the grapes and serve.
