Discovering the great ice wines

What is Icewine?

At the end of the 18th century, a large number of winegrowers Austrian and Germans were unlucky enough to suffer incredible early frosts. But it was then that they realized (by chance) that they could also produce " Ice wines" . The day after the frost, they pressed the frozen grapes, and the result was there! It was a success.

 

 

What's the difference between ice wine and other wines?

The special feature of this ice wine is the sweetness it brings. Its sugar content is balanced, though very high. Very intense acidity too. The effect on the palate is guaranteed to be incredible. Inside the grape, the sweet juice will only freeze below -7°C. The grape juice, already sweetened by the long ripening process, then becomes even more concentrated thanks to the loss of water as it freezes.

Simply put, an ice wine is made from grapes harvested after freezing. It naturally has a high sweetness that is balanced by its acidity.

 

How do you get ice wines?

After the leaves have fallen, the grapes wait for the frost to arrive. The grapes are usually protected by nets to limit losses. To get frost on the grapes, temperatures need to reach -7°C.

Then, on arrival at the winery, the grapes are pressed immediately. To calculate the concentration of the grape juice, we use the "Brix degree", which ranges from 35°B to 39°B. After pressing, the must undergoes fermentation, as is the case with sweet wines. Finally, slow ripening takes place, resulting in sweet, richly aromatic wines.

 

Les Grands Domaines des Vins de Glace

Ice wines can be found in many different countries and appellations. Austria and Germany are the pioneers of ice wine, but we can also find estates in Canada and Alsace. Here are two great estates we particularly like:

 

Zantho Estate "Weingut Zantho

ZANTHO is synonymous with quality, and is one of Austria's finest varietal wines. These are produced in collaboration with the great winemaker Josef Umathum and Wolfgang Peck using traditional practices, with the Andau winemaker's cellar.

Their ice wine has noble, golden notes with yellow highlights. On the nose, it seduces with typical notes of Veltliner, yellow fruit, pineapple and ripe apple, accompanied by fine hints of honey. On the palate, the wine again shows deep fruit with subtle nuances, supported by lovely acidity in a long, creamy, sweet finish. Cellar for two years after release. It will develop for 15 years or more, depending on the vintage.

Food and wine pairings Enjoy this ice wine chilled as an aperitif or with fruity desserts. Optimum temperature: 8-10°CDISCOVER THE SELECTION

 

Domaine Zahel "Wine from Vienna

Domaine Zahel has carried on the winemaking tradition for 4 generations. A family estate with a strong reputation in Austria. After a brief career as a race car driver, Richard Zahel joined the business in 1989. At the time, the winery consisted of just half a hectare of vineyards and a four-table restaurant. That same year, Richard began to write "Wiener Gemischter Satz" on Zahel's wine labels, and officially linked this blend of traditional and rich Viennese fields with his hometown tradition. In 1994, the winery began exporting its first bottle to Germany. Today, they manage vineyards in Austria's finest regions.

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