A wide variety of wines are available, especially high-quality bottles suitable for long-term storage and investment. There are varieties of wine for any occasion, whether you're in the mood for a first-growth Bordeaux, craving some Burgundy with dinner, or want to splurge on an American classic.
Those who are interested in wine will be familiar with the most common varietals and producing locations. Discerning wine drinkers likely understand the distinction between Napa and Sonoma. They should know this already, but if they still need to, there is a lot of information available to assist them in figuring it out.
However, even the most ardent wine enthusiasts are painfully ignorant of one wine. The German beauty ice wine deserves to be shared with the world. You may be familiar with the concept but unsure what it is or how it is produced. Don't fret if that's the case. Continue reading; now is the ideal opportunity to learn about Ice Wine, a wine with a small but growing fan base.
What is Ice Wine?
Ice wine, also known as Eiswein in its native Germany, is a dessert wine made from grapes that were allowed to freeze while still on the vine. Although the wine was first produced in Germany and Austria, some Canadian and even Chinese wineries are now making their versions.
It's a great example of how a sweet wine should taste. Flavours of citrus and tropical fruit, as well as honey and marmalade, are prominent in the wines. Ice wine's appeal lies in the fact that it's made to have a strong fruit flavour so that you can anticipate robust smells with many nuances.
It has a syrupy texture, and its flavour and body are pleasant. As far as hue goes, it's a stunning canary gold. Imagine the warmth of the Tuscan sun in the late afternoon. Ice Wine, like its French relative Sauternes, is often considered a special-occasion indulgence due to its alluring hue and cloyingly sweet flavour. Ice Wine's alcohol concentration, however, is significantly lower than that of Sauternes, coming in at just 10% as opposed to 13% for the French wine.
Ice wine is made from what kind of grapes?
Because of its instability, Ice Wine is made exclusively from grapes that thrive in colder locations. Although Riesling and Vidal Blanc are the most common, additional varietals like Merlot, Gewürztraminer, Grüner Veltliner, and Chenin Blanc are sometimes included by winemakers. Although Cabernet Franc is commonly used as an ingredient by Canadian winemakers, you'd be hard-pressed to find it in European Ice Wine.
How should I keep my Icewine?
Under ideal conditions (a little incline to keep the cork wet, isolation from vibrations, and a constant temperature of 12–15 °C), icewines can be preserved for years. Whether or whether an Icewine improves with age is a matter of the grape variety used, just as it is with any other type of table wine. Icewines like Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot are best-drunk fresh, while wines like Riesling improve with age. Wine is best consumed within three to five days of opening.
Any suggestions for serving Icewine?
It's recommended that icewines be served at a temperature of 10–12 degrees Celsius, so if you're bringing one out of storage, you might want to chill it for a while first. Yet, it is very picky about temperature. It won't be as crisp if it's too warm, and if it's too cold, the aroma will be diminished. Icewine is so sweet and decadent that just two ounces per glass are plenty.
Can't I mix it with something?
Doubtlessly not. Ice wine can be used as a cocktail ingredient or to give sparkling wine an extra kick. Imagine a martini made with Icewine.
How do I best complement it?
The first guideline for pairing Icewine with dessert is that the dessert must not be sweeter than the Icewine. White Icewine is best served with fruit-based sweets, while red Icewine pairs beautifully with dark chocolate. Cheeses like blue veined, triple cream, goat cheese, washed rind cheeses, aged cheeses, and salted parmesan work particularly well with them. To complement a hearty main dish, try something fiery and exotic like Thai, Indian, Mexican, or Creole. It provides welcome relief from the wine's sugariness and may even soothe a hot tongue.
Conclusion
Wines created from grapes harvested in the middle of winter have a lot to offer, although more typical table wines are more likely to be found in Canadian wine refrigerators. Canadian Icewines are known for their robust flavours and versatile pairing potential.