Vidal Blanc is a hybrid white wine grape variety produced from the Vitis vinifera variety Ugni blanc and another hybrid variety, Rayon d'Or. It is primarily grown in North America, especially in the wine producing regions of the Eastern U.S and in Canada.
Vidal Blanc is exceptionally versatile and lends itself to a range of wine styles, from dry table wines to sweet dessert wines. Wines produced from this variety typically have notes of tropical and citrus fruits, melon and floral undertones, and often display significant minerality. The grape is also known for its high acidity.
One of the most unique attributes of Vidal Blanc is its suitability for ice wine production. This is mainly due to its thick skin and ability to withstand cold climates. This complements the production of ice wines as the grape can be left on the vine until mid-winter, thus concentrating the sugars and flavors resulting in a very high-quality sweet dessert wine. In fact, in regions like the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario, Canada, Vidal Blanc has become the primary grape used for ice wine.
