Wine from frosted grapes? Yes, please.

TEXT: KATE JONES, THE WINEBARN

Eiswein, aka ice wine, is the rare winter wine made from frosted grapes and cold evenings are the perfect match for a glass of Eiswein.

Eiswein, otherwise known as ice wine, is the most exclusive of all wine styles, and is popular internationally as a rarity and a specialty. This cold-harvest wine is made from grapes picked at -7°C or below, and due to global warming, is becoming increasingly scarce.

The frosty conditions freeze the water content of the grape. This water remains in the wine press whilst the juice drips into vats, giving this wine its divine dense concentration of sweet grape extract. With such high sugar levels, it is difficult for the yeast to process the juice into wine. Eiswein, as a result, tends to have an intense sweetness and richness, yet naturally low alcohol and a bright acidity. It is smooth, concentrated, heaven in a glass.

The WineBarn, an award-winning, exclusively German wine merchant, recommends three of its favourite ice wines.

Aldinger 2021 Untertürkheim Mönchberg Riesling Eiswein (0.375l)

WINEMAKER: ALDINGER
VINTAGE: 2021 UNTERTÜRKHEIM MÖNCHBERG RIESLING EISWEIN

Region: Württemberg
Price per bottle (0.375l): £48.99

Golden, dense and rich, this Riesling Eiswein is well balanced in structure, with a beautiful sweetness and acidity. It has complex flavours of ripe exotic fruit, honey and concentrated passion fruit.

Wine from frosted grapes? Yes, please.

WINEMAKER: JAKOB SCHNEIDER
VINTAGE: 2020 NIEDERHÄUSER KLAMM RIESLING EISWEIN

Region: Nahe
Price per bottle (0.375l): £62.45

Tamlyn Currin, wine writer for Jancis Robinson, awarded this wine a highly impressive 18.5 out of 20 points. Tamlyn describes this wine as: “Bottled in May 2021. This is the first year Schneider have been able to make this wine since 2016. Strikingly long and elegant. So exquisite it’s hard to describe. Iris perfume. Guava nectar. Blueberries. Green figs when their sticky nectar is like wild honey. Sometimes words won’t do.”

Wine from frosted grapes? Yes, please.

Eiswein is a favourite for festive occasions, makes an exquisite aperitif, pairs perfectly with fruity desserts, and would make an excellent edition to any connoisseur’s wine collection.

Why not treat yourself? Visit: www.thewinebarn.co.uk/collections/eiswein-ice-wine

The Wine Barn