Frazier Jones is known for its extensive wine range but, on occasion, we like to delve into the world of apples, real hand-made English cider, and now, "Ice Cider" from Canada!
There are many commercial farms/orchards in Ontario specialising in this unique style of drink. Catering for the weekend tourists visiting from the nearby cities, they offer a crowd-pleasing alternative to going to a regular pub for beer, or restaurants for wine. They have proved to be a great success, as their prices, when compared to the world famous "Ice Wine" of the same region, are much more wallet-friendly.
Of course, the wineries making, as they see it, the "real thing" (including my Riesling & Vidal favourites from Peller Estate), are catering to a market where $50-$100 is normal for a Canadian Ice Wine, whereas $20-$30 is what you'd pay for a typical "Ice cider" when purchased direct at the farm. They all have their place on the market.
If you want to look at "Ice Wine" (Eiswein), try the Austrian, Gruner Veltliner version from Baumgartner, or the Ontario Vidal bottle by Pelee Island
In my own opinion, the greatest producers of genuine Eiswein only come from Germany and their wines, being exceedingly rare, cost a small fortune!
Neige - French for "snow" - is a rare delicacy from the Quebec region of Canada. Apples are late-picked at harvest, then the Canadian cold sets to work: the juice is taken outside into the depths of the sub-zero winter, where the water content freezes out as ice. The naturally concentrated juice left behind is then fermented to produce a Neige Ice Cider.
The apples used to produce Neige are Canadian favourites - McIntosh and Cortland, eating varieties chosen to emphasise the flavour of a crunchy, delicious red apple rather than a typical cider. It's slightly sweet but never cloying, and can be enjoyed on its own as a shared treat in small wine glasses. Around 50 apples are needed to produce each bottle.
Recommended to be served well-chilled with blue cheeses (Stilton, Shropshire Blue, etc), or with foie gras, as they do in France.
Critics' Tasting Notes:
"A really beautiful looking bottle and a very different concept on how to drink cider. It has a lovely strong apple aromatic with a sweet flavour and needs to be served chilled..."
"... Best enjoyed ice cold, where the sweetness is more balanced and refreshing. The apple flavour is pronounced and enjoyable, offering a clean, crisp character..."
Farm Shop & Deli Awards UK, 2026