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Lidl’s launch of Canadian icewine set to boost profile
Lidl’s launch of a Canadian icewine is set to boost the overall status and availability of icewine in the UK, its producer has claimed.
Ontario-based winery Pillitteri Estates Winery will see its Vidal Ice Wine go on-shelf nationwide from 26 November [rrp £14.99/37.5cl].
Export Manager Jared Goerz told the drinks business the ‘”very aggressively” priced wine was possible primarily because of the large volumes Lidl was taking – around 16,000 L in total. ”We take no or minimal margin but was wanted to make it available and let people learn about it,” he said. “Lidl took a leap of faith, which is especially [brave] for a European supermarket. We are all very exciting and wanted to help them with this.”
Until now, Pilliteri’s icewine has been primarily available in the on-trade in London through its UK importer and distributor, Dudley Craig Wines, who also stocks a selection of Pilliteri’s table wines. It is also available through Laithwaite’s.
“The UK market has been growing market for us – it is a litmus for the wine world,” Goerz added. Currently, around 40% of Pilliteri’s business currently comes from exports, largely due to the “toughness” of the monopoly system domestic market, and it currently exports to around 35 countries worldwide.
The wine, which comes from 15 year old vines on Pilliterri’s estate on Niagara-on-the-Lake, is harvested in December or January, once the vines have been at a temperature of -8 degrees for 3 days. The estate produces around 200,000 L of icewine per year, with half from its Vidal vines and the rest split between 12 different varietals. Other icewines it produces include Riesling, Sangiovese, (which is popular in Japan) and Cabernet Sauvignon, alongside its flagship Cabernet Franc and other table wines.
Along with Riesling, Vidal is one of the most suitable grapes for icewines, he pointed out, being hardy and reliable and producing a lot of fruit flavour.
“Like other wines, it’s about managing the canopy in the summer – foremost it has to been a good wine, you want that minerality and acidity and you treat the grapes as you would for table wine,” he said. “Freezing the grapes won’t save you from bad fruit.”
This year’s vintage is likely to be “tough” he said, due to the cold weather across North Ontario, which saw many vines hit with bud damage. However, the quality was likely to be good due to the good weather in the summer.
Lidl’s BWS head Ben Hulme said the move came off the back of a “surprising” increase in interest in sweet wines.
“Sweet wine has been a revelation for us and we are seeing how far we can take it,” he told the drinks business. “With the Canadian icewine we are responding to the success and seeing where the market is going. “
Pilliteri Wine Estate export manager Jared Goerg
Kudos to Pillitteri!
However, a slight correction to your text: there are no vinifera or hybrid grape vines in North(ern) Ontario. Pillitteri is located in the Niagara region, 500km due south of Sudbury or what would be considered Northern Ontario. The Niagara region at 43.1 degrees N, is slightly south in latitude from Montpellier, Languedoc (43.4 degrees N).
The farthest north there is any wine viticulture in Ontario is the south end of Georgian Bay, between the towns of Owen Sound and Wasaga Beach. This area is about about 230km NNW of Niagara, or 44.6 degrees N.
So, what happened to the November 26th launch date? Our local Petersfield LIDL store knows nothing about it. Whatsmore LIDL has not replied to my email (see below)
Dear Sir,
In the LIDL SURPRISES brochure for Thursday 26th Nov to Wed 2nd Dec VIDAL ICE WINE is listed on page 19. I visited my nearest store in Petersfield today to purchase some bottles of the ice wine. The wine was advertised on the shelf but there was no ice wine. I asked the staff when , and if , they would be getting some ice wine. They told me that because Vidal Ice Wine is an ‘allocated stock item’ availability was centrally controlled and they could not advise me when, or even if, they would have stock.
I am very disappointed and frustrated ! Can you please advise me how, and where, I can purchase bottles of Vidal ice wine. I live in LIphook Hampshire and can go to your Petersfield or Farnham LIDL store. Our nearest store in Bordon is closed until early December, so not an option. My phone number is 07710 337632.
Very pleased to see this wine of amazing quality and with such a reputation on sale at Lidl whose name has become synonymous with excellent value for money. Alas, after buying a bottle to try I found that it was also available at LOWER PRICES through Laithwaites at just £12.99. Why doesn’t Lidl place this product on their shelves at a more competive price? I have yet to try it but if it is as good as I expect guess who will supply my next bottle. Hmmm… pity.
Check carefully the bottle you have from Lidl. I think it should be a 37.5cl, whereas Laithwaites are asking £12.99 for a 20cl bottle!
I was lucky enough to buy a bottle, (the last) in Roscommon Lidl in Ireland about a year ago, they have never stocked it again but always have an empty box on the shelf just to frustrate and disappoint. If you see it buy it, you will not be disappointed. However, I am.
Absolutely wonderful ice wine love it managed to get 2 bottles in Borden and have now seen it in lidals Aldershot so going in for 2 more bottles