ICE WINE OSTHOFENER SILVANER SWEET

Ice wine is a rare, lusciously sweet wine. It is made from grapes that freeze on the vine at a temperature of at least -7°C and are harvested and pressed in this state. The frozen water remains in the press, yielding only the highly concentrated juice, which is extremely rich in sugar and aroma.

The exclusive price results from several complex factors:

Risk and weather: The grapes must remain on the vine until winter (often December or January). During this time, they are exposed to hail, birds, rot, and wildlife damage. Winegrowers often have to protect the grapes with nets. If there is no frost, total crop loss is imminent.

Extreme conditions: Harvesting usually takes place on freezing cold nights. The workers often have to quickly pick the frozen berries by hand before they thaw.

Low yield: Because the frozen water is not pressed along with the grapes, the juice yield is negligible. Ten to fifteen times the amount of grapes are needed to produce the same quantity of wine as would be obtained with a normal harvest.

Elaborate pressing: Pressing the frozen berries requires extremely high pressure and a delicate touch to achieve a high must concentration.

The high sugar concentration leads to a slow fermentation, which gives the ice wine its characteristic, harmonious balance of considerable residual sweetness and fine acidity with a relatively low alcohol content (often around 7%).