Patricia Dinsmore - Wine Writer, Event Planner and Wine Consultant

It is hard to believe that the end of the year is upon us. In less than two days we will be entering the year 2012 but, in the meantime, we need to celebrate the last of 2011 in style.  The next two days are dedicated to wines that should be amongst our selections for ringing in the New Year with.  Traditionally, sparkling wine and sometimes Champagne specifically, are what we celebrate with but since not everyone likes– or can drink – sparkling wine, Icewine has become a nice alternative for a celebratory drink.  We will leave the sparkling wine until tomorrow and focus on a delicious icewine from the Niagara on the Lake area today.

Strewn Winery 2008 Cabernet Franc Icewine

The wonderful thing about red icewines is the complexity they bring to the aromas and flavours.  On one hand, you have raspberry, tropical fruit and a touch of flowers but on the opposite end there is a distinctive dried herbal and caramel aromas.  All of these translate into the flavours where you have a rich, lush mouth feel and a slightly lingering finish making this one of the yummiest icewines Niagara has to offer.  If you are ringing in the New Year with this wine then simply go ahead and enjoy but if you want to pair this with some food try a raspberry based puff pastry dessert with the wine served slightly chilled.

This wine retails for $59.95 and it is worth every penny they are asking for.  There are various Vintages locations throughout the province that have inventory of this wine or drop by the winery and pick some up for tomorrow night.