What ice wine means
Ice wine is a rich, sweet dessert wine made from grapes that have been left on the vine into winter until they freeze naturally. The frozen grapes are picked by hand, often at night or early in the morning while it is coldest, and pressed while still frozen. Because much of the water in the grapes stays behind as ice, only a small amount of thick, very sweet, concentrated juice is pressed out. This juice is fermented slowly into a wine with intense sweetness, balanced by lively acidity, and flavours of honey, apricot, peach, lychee and tropical fruit.
Ice wine was originally made in Germany and Austria, where it is called Eiswein, and Canada is now a major producer, especially in Ontario and British Columbia. It is mainly made from Riesling, Vidal and Cabernet Franc grapes. Because the conditions are risky and the yield is small, ice wine is expensive and usually sold in small, slim bottles. In many countries, the name is protected and only applies to wine made from grapes frozen naturally on the vine.
Ice wine is served well chilled in small glasses with desserts, fruit tarts, cheesecake, blue cheese and foie gras, or on its own. It can also be used in cooking to flavour sorbets, jellies, syllabubs, poached fruit and sauces. You will see ice wine on dessert wine lists and in recipes.