Vidal Blanc
Vidal Blanc is an inter-specific hybrid variety of white wine grape , a cross of Ugni Blanc and Rayon d'Or (Seibel 4986). It manages to produce high sugar levels in cold climates while maintaining good acid levels.
Vidal Blanc was developed in the 1930s by French breeder Jean Louis Vidal ; his primary goal in developing the variety was to produce vines suitable for the production of Cognac in the Charente region of France . However, due to its winter hardiness this grape variety is cultivated most extensively in Canada and in the north-eastern United States . It is somewhat resistant to powdery mildew .
The wine produced from Vidal Blanc is fruity , with grapefruit and pineapple notes. Due to its high acidity and fruitiness it is particularly suited to sweeter, dessert wines . In particular, because of the tough outer skin of the fruit, it is well adapted for the production of icewine , especially in Ontario
In Canada's, quality wine-classification system, the Vintner's Quality Alliance (VQA), it is the only hybrid entitled to the highest category of quality. This is the Designated Viticultural Area (DVA) status. However, this honor is reserved for its Ice Wine incarnation only.
The grape is most commonly called Vidal
- Vidal Blanc
This is one of the most widely planted hybrids in all of Ontario.
Table wines usually made in a light and fruity style but Vidal Icewines are sweet, rich and concentrated with a palate cleansing backbone of acidity.
Most propular grape for producing icewine
As an ice wine, Vidal has the classic Rhine wine qualities of rich honey, citrus flavors reminiscent of Grand Marnier, and hazelnuts, with an underlying metallic finish like mineral water. The reason these Vidal ice wines, like other ice wines, are so rare and expensive is that the grapes stay on the vines until late November or December. While hanging, the grapes shrivel like raisins, so when they are finally pressed, the grape yields little juice. But this juice is highly concentrated in flavor and sugar. These wines are great alone or with chocolate desserts.
It is also grown in BC, NS and Quebec
Vidal Icewine All Canadian
Double Gold / Trophy, Best Dessert Wine of the Year
Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Ltd. , ON
2016 Lakeview Cellars Vidal Icewine $21.95Gold
Inniskillin Okanagan Estate, BC
2016 Vidal Icewine $46.09Silver
The Hare Wine Co., ON
2015 Frontier Vidal Icewine $65.00Wayne Gretzky Estates, ON
2016 No.99 Vidal Icewine $65.00Bronze
Vignoble du Marathonien, QC
2016; Vin de glace du Québec IGP $54.00
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