Description of Ice Wine

Ice wine (also spelled icewine or Eiswein, in German) is a dessert wine produced from grapes that were frozen while still on the vine. Only the water freezes in these grapes, so the small amount that is pressed from the grapes is highly concentrated and very sweet. Since the grapes are harvested while still frozen, unlike other dessert wines, the risk of Botrytis cinerea or noble rot greatly decreases. Today, Germany and Canada are the principal producers of ice wine.

History

In 1794, Franconia, Germany experienced a cool summer and an unusually cold winter, so the winemakers in this region were forced to harvest and press still frozen grapes. The resulting sweet wine surprised them, but winemakers did not intentionally start producing ice wine until the mid-1800s.

Harvest

Winemakers harvest the frozen grapes from the vine--never from artificial freezing--when temperatures fall between -10 and -13 degrees Celsius (9 and 14 degrees Fahrenheit). Once the concentrated juice is pressed from the grapes, the juice ferments slowly for several months due to the high levels of sugar.

Sweet and Dry

A finished ice wine is overly sweet with intense fruity flavors, such as peach and mango. The wine's acidity helps balance the sweetness and give the wine a dry aftertaste.

Ice Wine Grapes

The most common grapes used for producing ice wine are Riesling Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc and Cabernet Franc.

Signs of Great Ice Wine

A great ice wine should have its sweetness and acidity well balanced with hints of tropical fruit flavors. The finish (aftertaste) should be crisp and feel refreshing when swallowed.

References

• Wines of Canada