Eiswein

Eiswein, or ice wine, is a dessert wine produced from grapes left to freeze on the vine. Grapes are left on the vine until outdoor temperatures fall to around -7°C (19°F) or lower, then are harvested and pressed while still frozen. Pressing frozen grapes yields a juice with very high sugar content and high acidity, because much of the water in the grape is frozen and remains in the ice. The juice ferments slowly, often resulting in a wine with low to moderate alcohol and a substantial residual sugar level.

Typical varieties include Riesling, but other aromatic white varieties such as Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Vidal, and Scheurebe are also used. Regions with a tradition of Eiswein include Germany and Austria, where it is a well-established style, as well as Canada (notably Ontario and British Columbia), Switzerland, the Finger Lakes in the United States, and Alsace in France.

Regulations vary by country, but most definitions require that the grapes be naturally frozen on the vine. The production is weather-dependent and yields are very low, making Eiswein relatively expensive. Flavor profiles typically feature intense sweetness balanced by high acidity, with notes of stone fruit, citrus, honey, and expressive fruit aromatics. Eiswein can be enjoyed relatively young, but many examples age well under proper storage, developing additional complexities over time.