Quick Sip: Knapp Winery 2012 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine

Hello Friends,

Today’s Quick Sip is the Knapp Winery Estate Grown Cayuga Lake 2012 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine from Finger Lakes, New York. This dessert wine is sumptuous, satisfying, and pleasing at entry-level pricing. The fruit for this sweet treat was picked late in the season while frozen on the vine and pressed before thawing, resulting in tiny amounts of sweet, concentrated juice. Because these wines can only be produced naturally in certain regions, the risk involved (e.g., berries remain on the vine much later than regular harvested grapes), labor intensiveness, and low yields, true ice wines generally fetch a pretty penny for a half bottle (375ml). Vidal Blanc is a white hybrid grape variety that has good natural acidity which makes it a good candidate for balancing the higher residual sugars found in dessert wines. At this price point, I recommend grabbing a bottle or three to enjoy with friends after dinner, either with dessert (e.g., almond pound cake, fruit tart) or as the dessert itself. For further information and where you can find this selection, please see my tasting notes below.

Knapp Winery and Vineyard 2012 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine

Review: Knapp Winery 2012 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine (SRP $25 / 375ml): Lip-smacking, fragrant, and delicious, this wine’s slightly rich, viscous texture wraps around a sweet and succulent core of apricot preserve, mandarin oranges, spiced citrus marmalade, and honey. The flavors and sugars are balanced by a refreshing tang of acidity. It is nice by itself and equally as enjoyable with a slice of almond pound cake – trust me, I know! As far as traditional ice wine pricing goes, this sweet treat represents a good value that’s well worth seeking out. Approximately 24 cases of this wine were produced. Region: Finger Lakes, NY. (Other info: ABV 12%, 100% Vidal Blanc, grapes grown in 2011 through 2012 – harvested January 3rd, 2012, at 11° and pressed while frozen, cork enclosure.) 89 Points. Click here to find this wine.

Serve in a cordial glass and enjoy!

Have a question about this post? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at myvinespot@yahoo.com or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter. Stay tuned ...more to come. Happy Sipping, my friends! Disclosure: This wine was provided for review. Thoughts are my own.