Our Photo Album of i4c 2013

By all accounts it was a raving success.

Niagara’s third annual International Cool Climate Celebration – i4c for short – had its fair share of challenges, including a spectacular lightning storm and downpour that not only nearly washed out the opening night party, but also knocked out power overnight to the hotel that housed media, winemakers and out of town guests.

But if those in the wine world know anything, it’s that Mother Nature is a fickle mistress, and she can throw you a curve ball when you least want it, need it, or really feel like dealing with it.

Well that little hiccup only proved the resiliency of i4c organizers (whose efforts, organization and grace under pressure were nothing short of Herculean) and the undeniable thirst of Chardonnay lovers, who stuck it out through drenched clothes, a powerless hotel and lingering energy obstacles the day after the record storm.

Yes, the love of Chardonnay certainly won out this past weekend, where the three day festival saw thousands of people attend dozens of events all in revelry of the world’s most popular white wine.

Chardonnay is arguably one of Ontario’s most successful grapes, being produced in a range of styles from lean, crisp and unoaked, to rich, round and barrel fermented. But no matter the style, we do it well: balancing intense flavour and texture with exceptional focus and structure.

That’s the point: unlike the Chards of yesteryear, where warmer climates celebrated heavy, oaky, often flabby styles that quickly fell out of favour amongst wine lovers – many of whom have yet to return – cool climate Chardonnays focus on wines that have a refreshing acidity, mineral undertone and elegant balance of flavours and textures.

Spain, Italy, France, Hungary, New Zealand, a few American states, and, of course, Ontario, all have cool climates (even some of the countries generally considered hot can eek out cool micro climates, especially in mountainous areas or close to water) and all had representing wineries at i4c. The point of this weekend celebration is to promote Chardonnay and learn from each other, rather than pit one winery against another in a dog fight for “best.”

Here is out photo album from this i4c 2013. (click here if you’d like to see our thoughts and pictures from 2012).