ICE-COLD APPEAL

It burst upon the Asian scene in the late '90s after making its world debut in the mid-'80s, and its luscious flavors became an instant hit halfway around the world from home. The Canadians were justly proud, for they were solely responsible for making icewine the luxury product it is now, elevated from its more plebeian origins as a common, sweet German dessert wine.

The Inniskillin estate, especially, was credited with making icewine a uniquely Canadian product, and an entire wine-tourism industry has sprung up around the Niagara Peninsula just off the great falls, where it produces the delicious brews.

Icewine has also become the souvenir of choice at the airport duty free, and leading producers have taken advantage of this to package some attractive bundles that are worth every cent the cost.