Icewine is a rare gift from a magical Finger Lakes winter!
It is believed that icewine goes back to Roman times. But the popular legend is that a German winemaker was away from his vineyard during harvest and when he returned home, his grapes were frozen on the vine. He carried out an unorthodox harvest and pressed the frozen grapes for fermentation. The result was the first eiswein. He was amazed by the high sugar content.
Watkins Glen and the Finger Lakes Region is a natural for icewine production with its warm summers and cold winters. It’s one of the coldest wine regions in the world, with deep snows and bone-chilling temperatures. The grapes are left on the vine past normal harvests. The freezing and thawing of the grapes dehydrates the fruit and concentrates the sugars, acids and extracts in the fruit, intensifying the flavor and adding complexity to the wine. The harvest is done by hand, and the optimal time is mid-December to mid-January. Without the extreme cold, there would be no icewine. (One note: grapes that are artificially frozen are not icewines, but ice-style wines.)
The juice is typically fermented for several weeks followed by a few months of barrel aging, stopping naturally. Icewines are attractive while young, although some aging is practiced. The result is ultra-rich flavor with sweet honey-like nuances. The alcohol content is higher than regular wines, averaging 11.9%.
Icewine is intensely sweet! The balance is achieved by its acidity which gives a clean dry finish. The nose recalls lychee nuts. The seductive taste will transport the palate to warmer climates. The tastes of tropical fruits with hints of peach nectar and mango are (reportedly) best when chilled, but I prefer mine from the freezer.
Icewine can be an appetizer, or served with dessert. There are several ways to use icewine, blend with Brandy to make a liqueur or to make jelly. The jelly is fabulous, but I prefer the simple drink. Serve with fruit or fruit tarts, especially apple or pear tarts; with a plate of cheeses, particularly a nice blue cheese; blend two of the most delicate substances on the planet and serve with crème brulee (!); or serve by itself.
When you are visiting the Finger Lakes Wineries, make sure you taste the Icewines! Winters wonder juice. A rare gift from the magical Finger Lakes winter… handpicked at the coldest moment of a winter’s night, each frozen grape creates just one drop of icewine. One smooth, luxurious, exquisite drop.
When you are visiting the Finger Lakes Wineries, make sure you taste the Icewines! Winters wonder juice. A rare gift from the magical Finger Lakes winter… handpicked at the coldest moment of a winter’s night, each frozen grape creates just one drop of icewine. One smooth, luxurious, exquisite drop.
