Intriguing Icewines

Icewine – or alternately Icewein, Icewine, or Eiswein – is fast becoming a North American favorite.  Ideally suited to the cool autumns and harsh winters of the Great Lakes region, this sweet wine with hints of apricots and melon is well suited to sipping by the pool on a hot summer's day or as an after-dinner treat.

Icewine History

Icewine originated in Germany in the late 18^th century, where it was first produced by accident after an unusually early frost. After that, Icewine was only made in those years when there was an early winter, as a kind of specialty wine. Never a big seller in Europe, New World producers, especially Canadian and American winegrowers discovered in the 20^th century how well suited it is to the Great Lakes' cool autumns and snowy winters.

Crafting Icewine

Icewine is made by allowing the grapes to remain on the vine until after the first frost, usually in late November or early December around the Great Lakes. The grapes are pressed while still frozen, leaving a highly concentrated juice, high in acids and sugars. Icewine is made primarily from Riesling grapes and the new world hybrid grape, Vidal. By law, wines called Icewine made in Canada and Germany must be naturally frozen. In the warmer regions of the United States, however, you will find Icewines that have been produced synthetically, using a freezer.

Pairing Food with Icewine

Icewine makes a delicious aperitif and is an ideal accompaniment to cheese or a chocolate dessert. Icewine's overtones of honey, melon, apricot and pear ripen in the glass. Icewine is traditionally sold in a slender 375ml bottle, which is usually enough to serve four people.

Serving Icewine

Icewine is best consumed within 5 to 7 years of bottling. Serve Icewine chilled, but not cold, in port or cordial glasses. American Icewines, particularly those from the Great Lakes region are increasingly available in wine stores and restaurants throughout the country. Look for excellent Icewines produced by Niagara's Inniskillin Winery, Geneva Ohio's Chalet Debonne, and Michigan's Chateau Grand Traverse. A bottle of Icewine will run approximately $30 to $100 in a retail store. The relatively high cost reflects the low yield that results from freezing the grapes.

Celebrating Icewine

The Niagara winegrower's celebrate the Icewine harvest each January.  Events at the nine-day festival include samplings, a silent auction, live entertainment, and winery tours.  Most events are held in and around Niagara Falls, Ontario.