Yes! we are throwing it back with “Ice, Ice Baby” , and while we’re not trying to upset Vanilla Ice or 90's music lovers, let’s talk about something cooler: Ice Wine.
That’s right, Ice Wine (or Eiswein) is real, rare, and ridiculously delicious. If you've never heard of it, you are in for a treat. And spoiler alert: it's made from grapes. Yep, frozen grapes.
What Is Ice Wine?
Ice Wine is a naturally sweet dessert wine made from grapes, typically Riesling or Vidal that are left on the vine to freeze naturally. The magic happens when temperatures drop to around -8°C to -12°C, and the grapes become icy marbles filled with concentrated sugar.
So why is Ice Wine so sweet? When grapes freeze, the water inside crystallizes, but the sugars and other solids remain unfrozen. This allows winemakers to press out a highly concentrated, sugary juice, the essence of Ice Wine.
How Is Ice Wine Made?
Making Ice Wine is no easy job. Grapes must be handpicked at night, during freezing temperatures, while they’re still rock-solid. This usually happens in the early hours of the morning, long before sunrise, when temperatures are low enough to meet production standards.
Once harvested, the frozen grapes are pressed immediately, and because the water content stays frozen, only the sweetest juice (which has a lower freezing point) is extracted. The yield is tiny, but the flavor? Intense, fruity, and incredibly luxurious.
Pair it with crème brûlée, blue cheese, or fruit tarts for a heavenly dessert experience.
Where Is Ice Wine Made?
To make Ice Wine, you need the right climate... and no, it’s not made at the Poles.
The top Ice Wine-producing countries are:
Canada: Particularly in Ontario, Canada leads modern Ice Wine production. It's widely available and slightly more affordable than its European counterpart.
Germany: Known as Eiswein, this is the birthplace of Ice Wine. German Ice Wines tend to be rare and more expensive.
China: A rising star in the Ice Wine world. Chinese wineries have started winning international awards, including three gold medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2017.
These countries have the ideal mix of cold winters and dedicated winemakers willing to brave the frost for this sweet reward.
Where to Buy Ice Wine
Looking to buy Ice Wine? You’ll find it in specialty wine shops, select supermarkets, and fine dining restaurants. Expect small bottles, typically 375ml and prices starting around £30 per bottle. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth every penny.
And here’s why: you’re tasting a wine that’s been hand-harvested at subzero temperatures, made from nature’s finest frozen fruit, and crafted with precision and patience.
Final Sip: Why Ice Wine Is Worth It
Frozen. Sweet. Rare. And tropical. Ice Wine might just be the most surprising dessert wine you’ll ever try. One sip and you will feel like you’re on vacation, even if you’re curled up at home on a cold winter night.
So next time you spot that small, expensive bottle labeled Ice Wine, remember: it took -12°C, night harvesting, and a whole lot of care to bring that flavor to your glass.
Cheers to Ice Wine, the coolest wine on earth.
''At the end of the day, you really can’t make a wrong choice.
As long as you pay attention to what it is that you don’t like about a wine
each bottle will get you closer to what you do like.
Take it one glass at a time!''