Eiswein is a risky game for winemakers because it depends on whims of the weather.
As it can only be produced in exceptionally cold winters, it is rare, exclusive, and usually very expensive. The stakes are high.
Harvest take place between November and January on nights when temperatures are below freezing – around -8 degrees or ideally between -10 and -12 degrees. Only then do the grapes freeze on the vine, and just a fraction of those picked will be used in the elaboration of Eiswein, a complicate and labor-intensive process.
The harvest of Eiswein, which usually takes place early in the morning in the extreme cold, is exhausting. Fingers become stiff, and harvesting the frozen grapes is very laborious, so it must be done quickly. Why? The grapes must be hand-harvested in this extreme cold, before the morning sun thaws them.
For this reason, the freshly harvested frozen grapes must be taken directly to the press. The reason for keeping the grapes at such low temperatures is simple: most of the frozen water remains in the press as ice. As a result, a highly concentrated grape juice is obtained.
The yield of grapes for Eiswein is very low, and only around 10% of the initial amount of grapes actually becomes Eiswein. In Germany, Eiswein was first documented in 1830, when winemakers accidentally discovered that frozen grapes could yield a deliciously sweet juice.
Eiswein winemakers pay great attention to ensuring the grapes are healthy, without the attack of Botrytis, which causes noble rot. The flavor of Eiswein differs from other sweet wines such as Trockenbeerenauslese. That do have the characteristic taste of noble rot.
Ice Wine in Spain – Cryoconcentrated Wines
In Spain, we obviously do not have the climatic conditions needed for the natural freezing of grapes on the vine. However, there is an artificial way to produce this type of wine, through the artificial freezing of the grapes and subsequent removal of water and must. This system is called Cryoconcentration. In this way, wines with characteristics similar to ice wine can be obtained for an affordable price. These are wines.
In our German white wine tasting, you will have the chance to enjoy an Eiswein.
If you would like to buy Eiswein at very reasonable prices, please get in touch with me.
