What is ice wine?
icy wine, or as is known in Germany, eiswein , is made of frozen grapes. Because the grapes are selected and processed before thawing, frozen water and highly concentrated sugar and acid are squeezed. The result is sweet fruit dessert wine.
The first ice wine was made in Germany in 1794 and was the result of an accident. Legend says that the owner of the German vineyard was out of the city when he was to be at home reaped his grapes. After returning, he and his employees decided to select and process the grapes anyway. The resulting sweet wine was called "winter wine" at that time. It remained German secrets until 1962, when it was commercially produced throughout Europe.
Ice wine grapes are naturally frozen. This means that they are selected manually in a very early morning just after the first blows of Frost. This also means that no other method for freezing grapes cannot be used. In other words, the grapes cannot be placed in the freezer. If this lower method is used,Must have a different name.
Once the grapes are harvested, they are immediately pressed. Water - actually pieces of ice - is what is extracted. Intense taste comes from highly concentrated sugar and acid that did not freeze. When pressed, the juice is stored in oak barrels for several months while fermenting.
Germany, Austria, British Columbia and Canada are known to produce the best ice wine because they have such a consistent cold weather. Other countries, including the United States, also produce it. Because this process is so time consuming, the wine can be very expensive and comes in small bottles.
Of course, ice wine can only be produced if mother of nature works. In order to freeze the grapes on the vines, the weather must be cool enough. Therefore, this wine is produced in areas that are permanently cold. Many parts of the United States have noElementary weather and long Indian summer can destroy the production of the season.
Ice wine is best served chilled and goes well with any dessert. It should be enjoyed and appreciated and never hurried. Many people find that this wine is a perfect experience that you can share in a relaxing evening with good company and good food.