Directly from the Inniskillin Press Release:
INNISKILLIN VIDAL ICEWINE CHOSEN AND SERVED AT NOBEL PEACE PRIZE DINNER
Barack Obama, World Leaders and Dignitaries Enjoy Inniskillin Icewine at Nobel Dinner
In short:
Inniskillin Wines is pleased to announce that the Inniskillin Vidal Icewine was selected and served at yesterday’s Nobel Peace Prize dinner at which United States President Barack Obama received the 2009 award. The Inniskillin 2003 Gold Oak aged Vidal Icewine was paired to a menu created especially for the occasion.
More detail:
Niagara, Ontario (December 11, 2009) Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway on December 10, 2009 in the presence of the King of Norway, Harald V, world leaders and dignitaries. The Oslo award ceremony is traditionally followed by a five-course banquet at Oslo’s historic hotel The Grand, in the Mirror Room. As part of this prestigious evening, Inniskillin Vidal Icewine was selected and served at yesterday’s Nobel dinner. It was served with Caramel and Chocolate glazed Banana Mousse and Peanut Meringue.
The decision for Inniskillin Vidal Icewine to be included at the Nobel Peace Prize dinner stems from the selection made by the Nobel Committee and a tasting panel at the Grand Hotel. A trial dinner took place and the wines that were the most fitting were selected, Inniskillin 2003 Gold Oak aged Vidal Icewine from Niagara being one of them.
Inniskillin Co-founder and Icewine maker Karl Kaiser who produced this vintage of Icewine comments, “I would never have dreamt that when I started making Icewine in 1984 that it would ever be served at a Nobel Peace Prize Dinner. I am particularly thrilled that this Icewine was chosen to be part of the dinner honouring President Barack Obama.”
When Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, died in 1896 his will established five prizes, including one for peace. The Swedish-born inventor’s will instructed that the “Nobel Peace Prize” be awarded in the Norwegian capital of Oslo each year. Therefore, this prestigious international event is held every 10th of December and includes the award ceremony followed by a luxurious five-course banquet held in the historic Mirror Room of the nearby luxury hotel, The Grand.
Long-coveted by wine lovers as an aperitif or as a complement to a special dessert, Icewine is often referred to as Canada’s ‘Liquid Gold’. Though Icewine’s roots can be traced to centuries old German winemakers, there is nothing more quintessentially Canadian than this luscious luxury borne of patience and sub zero bravura. Grapes are left on the vine well into the winter months to concentrate and intensify the flavours through the water content freezing, thawing and dehydrating in each precious Icewine grape. The Icewine grapes are harvested with exacting precision, only when the temperature hits -10° Celsius.
Inniskillin Icewine is now enjoyed in 69 countries around the world and has become a benchmark wine in home entertaining.
Inniskillin Wines, founded by Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser, with wineries and vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario and the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, was granted the first winery license in Ontario since Prohibition.
In Niagara, Karl Kaiser continued to produce Icewine until 2005 when Bruce Nicholson became director of winemaking in 2007. Nicholson, one of Canada’s most awarded winemakers, has followed in the footsteps of the co-founders’ spirit of excellence and innovation. Inniskillin has gained international recognition for its award-winning Icewines and plays a major role in the international success of Canadian wines. Inniskillin Wines is proud to be an Official Wine Supplier of The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. For more information, visit www.inniskillin.com.
Directly from the Summerhill Pyramid Winery Press Release:
SUMMERHILL PYRAMID WINERY WINS
‘CANADIAN WINE PRODUCER OF THE YEAR’ AT INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
KELOWNA WINERY CAUSES WORLD SPOTLIGHT TO SHINE ON ORGANIC WINES
Kelowna, BC. — Summerhill Pyramid Winery of Kelowna, British Columbia, has achieved a pinnacle as pronounced as the tip of its renowned pyramid. On Nov. 26, 2009, Summerhill was named ‘Canadian Wine Producer of the Year’ at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London, England for its portfolio of organic wines. This prestigious competition recognizes the best wines, spirits, and liqueurs from around the world, and is organized and judged by some of the most influential men and women in the industry. It is also one of the biggest competitions in the wine industry; this year the IWSC received more than 7000 entries from over 80 countries. Overall, Summerhill submitted five wines into the IWSC, receiving medals for each of them, including two “Best in Class” awards.
Stephen Cipes, the visionary proprietor of Summerhill, credits his exceptional staff, led by celebrated wine-maker Eric von Krosigk, the pristine grape growing conditions of the Okanagan Valley, the four storey pyramid wine cellar which he says is “second only to the Great Pyramid of Egypt in its precision, orientation and materials,” and the certified organic practices loyally followed by the winery.
Summerhill is the largest certified organic winery in Canada, and this award recognizes the superior quality of organic wine. States Summerhill’s Chief Operating Officer, Ezra Cipes, “More and more wine consumers are recognizing the benefits of organics in our bodies and for the planet. Organic wine is the fastest growing segment of the wine industry worldwide, and this triumphant win declares that Summerhill wines are both organic AND of gold medal quality - a rare and wonderful combination.”
The award was graciously accepted on behalf of Summerhill by Anthony von Mandl, proprietor of Mission Hill Winery, another prominent Okanagan Winery. As Proprietor Stephen Cipes notes, “this title represents an acknowledgement of the quality of wine produced in the whole of the Okanagan Valley. This fledgling B.C. industry exists in one of the finest wine making regions in the world and every courageous vintner here must stand proud in the impact we are all making in representing Canada to the world.”
About Summerhill Pyramid Winery:
Known for its iconic “sacred geometry pyramid” where the wine is stored, Summerhill is Canada’s most visited winery, offering a variety of organic, award winning wines from sparkling to Icewine. Summerhill’s famous ‘Pyramid Experience’ tours and tastings are offered year round, as well as meals in the Sunset Organic Bistro, led by Executive Chef Jesse Croy, which serves cuisine made from regional organic ingredients including vegetables from an onsite garden. Summerhill is also committed to making a difference in the community, and encouraging a greater environmental responsibility beyond its own vineyards through eco-tours, raising awareness of the benefits of organic farming and sustainable agriculture, and by partnering with internationally renowned artist Robert Bateman to launch the new series of ‘Get to Know’ wines. With every bottle of the nature art labeled organic wine sold, a donation is made supporting Mr. Bateman’s brilliant ‘Get to Know Your Wild Neighbors’ organization that gets youth in touch with nature, leading to a greater commitment to our planet’s health and well being.
Summerhill Pyramid Winery is located at 4870 Chute Lake Road, Kelowna, BC Canada. Visit their website at www.summerhill.bc.ca or call toll-free 1-800-667-3538.
