If I were the recipient you couldn't bring anything nicer than ice wine We can get it in a few wine merchants here but it is mostly very expensive. And I agree that a lot of people won't even have come across it.

well, I've never heard of ice wine, but booze is always a good choice. It's a social gift that you can all share, and won't be something they have to drag out of the loft and put on display whenever you visit in the future. Disposable (edible or quaffable) gifts are always a good idea when you can't judge the taste of the recipient.

What's ice wine?

Ice wine is a type of dessert wine produced from grapes that have been frozen. The sugars and other dissolved solids do not freeze, but the water does, so the result is an unusually concentrated, often very sweet wine. The effect is comparable to the freeze distillation that was traditionally used to make applejack and similar beverages, but in the case of ice wines, the freezing happens before the fermentation, not afterwards. ...

Another vote for ice wine.
I've heard of it but never tried it.
It will be a talking point.

The ice wine idea sounds great. I had no idea it was even produced in Canada; I thought it was mainly a German thing.
Maybe bring two bottles. If they turn out to really like it, give them the second bottle and perhaps even a pair of the special glases for it:
http://www.thewineman.com/IcewineGlass.htm

If it's not a big hit, well, you can always drink the second bottle yourselves later. Or leave it for them anyway, so they can "regift" it a la Seinfeld.

By the way, as the article notes, the special ice wine glasses were designed in Canada!

I was on an Air Canada flight a couple of years ago and they were providing cocktails made of Canadian vodka that were made from 10,000 year old icebergs.

Might compliment the ice wine nicely as gifts.

Geordie

Although I agree that ice wine is an excellent idea, my choice would be for a piece of sculpture. It does not have to be a piece of Eskimo soapstone worth hundreds of dollars. Look for something under the Hoselton name. I have taken this before and it is very much appreciated.

Wow, I had no idea this would generate the number of responses it has. Thanks so much everyone for further input. I guess we take ice wine for granted because it's readily available so I appreciate the feedback. BTilke, I love the idea of the Reidel glasses too - thanks for the link. Geordie, that Vodka is yummy and a great suggestion. I think it recently won an award. almcd, I have never heard of Hoselton but will check into that one. And SallyCanuck, thanks for your excellent definition of icewine - I feel like we are all learning a little something. Thanks again everyone else -cheerio!

Have these relatives been to visit you in Canada before? If so, what did they buy to take back - that would be a good option to take to them. I live in Canada and visit the UK annually and always end up taking the oddest things to my relatives based on their personal wants; one relative for example wanted ziploc freezer bags - most bizarre, but they were very happy when I pulled them out of my suitcase!!

Ice wine is a nice treat and also very expensive in Canada - if you live in the winery country you can volunteer to be a grape picker because there is a very limited window when the grapes are right for picking based on the weather temps; so when the temp is right the grapes need to be picked quickly - you can be called at 2AM in the morning to say "let's go, now's the time!!"

How about a "coffee table" book with photos of the different scenic places in Canada. The maple syrup should be well received too.

Besides ice wine and and maple syrup, my friends and relatives in the UK also appreciate Canadian literature. Our authors are well regarded in the UK but aren't always easily obtained there.

Hi, being in our mid 50`s and having a lot of visitors from abroad staying with us in England we now have a cupoboard full of coffee table books, a larder full of foods that we would not normally eat and can buy here if we ever wanted to (Even on the internet for the more obscure items) I would really appreciate being taken to the theatre or show and if this is not possiblr taken out for a traditional sunday lunch.

Thanks for the further suggestions. Flybob, I will certainly keep in mind your comments which is just what I don't want to happen. These folks have all the bells and whistles and more so trying to find something unique will be a challenge. Perhaps a meal out would be more appreciated. I'm thinking maybe just getting them a gift certificate to use after we're gone to help them recuperate! Will have to do some more research into favourite restaurants. Thanks again everyone - your suggestions have been most helpful.

As you are staying in London, if it is over a weekend then there is nothing better than Sunday lunch at The Savoy Hotel. Not cheap but a truley British affair, http://www.london-eating.co.uk/3851.htm
Bob

Starfish1, I don't if you've already had your visit, but while in Vienna over the past couple weeks, I tried some Austria ice wein (Nigls) and it was delicious! I tried to find a bottle of the same brand to take back, but the stores were sold out. Anyway, if you bring ice wine and your London relatives don't like it, we will be more than happy to take it off their hands ;-)

I know that this verges on the bear-and-moose category, but we have visited Canada MANY times, and I love my salad servers from Kootenay Spoons: http://www.kootenayspoons.com/home/index.cfm (They're called "bear claws&quot They aren't something that has to be displayed, and they come in very handy for salad and pasta. I have given many for gifts, and all the recipients have loved them. They are lightweight and unbreakable, easy to pack.

Take them a moose. You can be sure they won't have one. AND it will be a good talking point!

BTilke, we leave at the end of April so your comments are appreciated! We loved the idea of icewine with the glasses too so it's nice to hear you enjoyed some on your recent trip. Noe847 thankyou so much for the kootenay spoons website - they are fabulous! I've been out west many times in the Kootenay region and have never seen them. I think I may just order a bunch and take a couple of pairs to Britain too - kind of tongue in cheek with the bear/moose thing going on but they are practical and very nice, and Canadian! Thanks again.