Known for its intense sweetness and rich flavor, ice wine is a luxurious and highly-prized dessert wine. Originating in cold climate regions such as Canada, Germany, and Austria, this unique wine is made from grapes that are naturally frozen on the vine. The wine is concentrated and aromatic, with high acidity to balance out its sweetness.
Serving ice wine properly elevates the experience, allowing its complexity and elegance to shine through. From serving temperature to glassware, food pairings, and storage tips, there are many factors to consider when enjoying ice wine. In this article, we’ll explore the best ways to drink ice wine to maximize its flavor and aroma.
Before we dive into the best drinking habits, it’s important to understand what makes ice wine so special.
How is ice wine made?
Ice wine is made by leaving grapes on the vine until the temperature drops below freezing, usually around -8°C (17°F) or lower. The frozen grapes are then picked and pressed while frozen, which extracts only the highly concentrated juice while the water is retained in the form of ice. This process produces a wine that is very sweet but has a nice acidity that is both refreshing and complex.
Common Grape Varieties for Ice Wine
The most common grape varieties used to make ice wine include:
Vidal Blanc – A hardy white grape commonly used in Canadian ice wines known for its tropical fruit flavors.
Riesling – A classic German ice wine grape with bright acidity and flavors of citrus, honey, and apricot.
Cabernet Franc – A red grape used to make the rare red ice wine, with berry flavors and a smooth mouthfeel.
Gewürztraminer – A floral and aromatic grape that makes a rich, spicy ice wine.
Best Ways to Drink Ice Wine
Best Serving Temperature
The serving temperature of ice wine has a significant impact on its taste and texture. Ice wine should be served chilled, but not too cold, as overcooling can destroy its flavor and aroma.
Optimal temperature: 8–12°C (46–54°F)
White ice wine (Vidal, Riesling): 8–10°C (46–50°F)
Red ice wine (Cabernet Franc): 10–12°C (50–54°F)
To chill ice wine, place it in the refrigerator for about two hours before serving. If you need to cool it quickly, placing the bottle in an ice bucket filled with ice and water for 15-20 minutes is an effective method.
Choose the right glassware
Using the right wine glass can enhance the drinking experience by concentrating the aroma of the wine and allowing it to breathe properly.
Best wine glass: Small white wine glass or dessert wine glass
Why? Smaller wine glasses help concentrate the rich aromas of the wine while controlling the amount of wine that flows into your mouth.
Avoid large red wine glasses as they may dilute the rich aromas and flavors.
Pour and Swirl
Since ice wine is so sweet and rich, it should be drunk in small amounts, usually about 2 to 3 ounces (60-90 ml) per glass. This prevents a heavy mouthfeel and allows you to slowly enjoy its flavors.
Before sipping, swirl the glass gently to release the aromas. Ice wine has a high sugar content and a strong aroma, with notes of honey, apricots, peaches, citrus, and tropical fruits.
How to Enjoy Ice Wine
Tasting Ice Wine
Ice wine should be savored slowly to appreciate its complexity. Follow these steps for the best tasting experience:
Observe the color – hold the glass up to a light source and observe the rich golden or amber hues of white ice wine, or the deep red hues of red ice wine.
Smell the aromas – swirl the wine and take a deep breath to discern notes of honey, apricots, citrus, caramel, or berries.
Take a sip – let the aromas coat your tongue and explore its rich layers of sweetness and tartness.
Balance – Although ice wine is sweet, a good ice wine should have a refreshing acidity to prevent it from being too strong.
Foods to pair with ice wine
Ice wine pairs well with a variety of foods, especially desserts and savory dishes with contrasting flavors.
Best desserts to pair with ice wine
Since ice wine is naturally sweet, it’s best paired with desserts that are slightly less sweet to avoid being too strong.
Cheesecake – The creamy texture complements the bright acidity of ice wine.
Fruit desserts – Dishes like apple tart, pear crumble, and berry tart enhance the fruity flavors of the wine.
Dark chocolate – The bitterness of dark chocolate contrasts nicely with the sweetness of ice wine.
Creme brulee – The caramel topping and custard pair perfectly with the honey flavor of ice wine.
Savory foods to pair with ice wine
Blue cheese – The rich, salty flavor of blue cheese contrasts perfectly with the sweetness of ice wine.
Foie gras – The rich, buttery taste of foie gras balances the acidity and fruitiness of ice wine.
Spicy dishes – The sweetness of ice wine helps balance the spiciness of spicy dishes such as Thai or Indian cuisine.
Toasted nuts – Almonds, pecans, and walnuts provide a nutty contrast to the rich taste of ice wine.
Storing ice wine
Storing unopened bottles
Temperature: Store in a cool, dark place at 10–15°C (50–59°F).
Position: Store bottles horizontally to keep the cork moist and prevent oxidation.
Shelf life: Ice wine can be aged for 10–20 years, developing more complex flavors over time.
Storing opened bottles
Once opened, ice wine should be stored properly to preserve its freshness.
Chill: Store in the refrigerator with the cork tightly closed.
Shelf life: Ice wine will stay fresh for 5–7 days after opening.
Vacuum seal: Using a wine preservation system can help extend its freshness for up to two weeks.
Conclusion
Tasting ice wine is a unique and luxurious experience that requires attention to detail. From serving temperature and glassware to food pairing and storage, every aspect helps maximize the wine’s flavor and aroma.
By serving ice wine at the right temperature, using the right glassware, sipping slowly, and pairing with complementary foods, you can fully appreciate its sweetness, acidity, and complexity. Whether you’re enjoying a classic Vidal Blanc Icewine from Canada or a Riesling Icewine from Germany, following these best practices will ensure you have a memorable tasting experience.
Related topics:
