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Ice Wine
Synonyms:
Icewine, Eiswein
Wine Name:
Ice Wine, Icewine, Eiswein, Vin de Glace, Vin de Glacière, Vin Glace
Background:
Ice wine is made from grapes that have been frozen on the vine and usually harvested in January in the northern hemisphere. The water in the grapes freezes leaving behind the sugars and solids with a resulting sweet syrup with high sugar content. Because of the high sugar content which lowers the freezing point of the grapes, temperatures of 17 deg F (-8 deg C) must be reached to freeze the grapes enough for extraction. Some countries allow cryo extraction, i.e., an artificial freezing but the leading ice wine producers in Canada and Germany require freezing naturally on the vine. The crushed grapes are then fermented (which takes months due to the high sugar content) although not to completion since wine yeasts die off after about 15% alcohol is reached. The grapes are not afflicted with botrytis mold (noble rot) that dehydreates the grapes as is the case for Sauternes from France, Tokaji from Hungary or Trockenbeerenauslese from Germany. Almost any grapes can and have been used to produce ice wine but the most common ones are Riesling, Vidal Blanc, and Cabernet Franc. Other grapes that are sometimes used include Pinot Gris, Seyval Blanc, Chardonnay, Kerner, Gewürztraminer, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (Shiraz), Semillion, and Sangiovese.
Classic Brands and Sources:
Canada - Inniskillin, Reif Estates, Pillitteri Estates, Peller Estates, Pelee Island Winery, Tinhorn Creek Estates, Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Ziraldo Estate; USA - Cave Spring, Konzlemann, Bonny Doon, King Estates, Gordon Brothers, Poet's Leap, Mission Hill; Austria - Andau; Germany - Selbach-Oster, Hans Wirsching, Dr Loosen, H. Dönnhoff, Grans-Fassian, Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler, Joh. Jos. Prüm, Johannishof, C. von Schubert, Robert Weil;
Characteristics:
| Style | Body | Acidity | Sweetness | Tannins |
Typical from
white grapes
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full
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high but
perceived medium
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sweet
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low to
medium (-)
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Typical from
red grapes
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full
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medium
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sweet
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medium to
medium (+)
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Wine and food pairing guidelines:
Ice Wines are often best on their own without food. If taken with food, desserts without milk or dark chocolate that are less sweet than the ice wine are best. "Ice Wine as dessert is better than dessert."
Foods and Entrees that usually pair:
Pairs with apple pie or fritters, oysters, paté, peaches, pears, strawberries, French toast
Cheese Pairings:
Many different cheeses go with ice wines. see:
Ice Wine Cheese Pairings at Inniskillin
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Ice Wine at Wikipedia
Ice Wine Food Pairings at Inniskillin
What is your Favorite Brand of this Wine?
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