December 3, 2007
I just want to thank the readers of my new wine blog. It’s been a lot of fun so far, and I enjoy reading the questions that have been posted on the various subjects that have been discussed thus far. From time to time, I’d like to answer some of these questions. Last month one of the readers asked for a discussion on ice wine, so here we go.
Jane Claire wrote:
I agree with Elisheba. I think you are incredible, Stephen! Anyway, I've just been introduced to ice wine, which is a very sweet wine that has been made from grapes that have been frozen on the vine. It's usually sold in half bottles and is a bit pricey. The wine I tasted was Austrian, and I think it was Hopler. It's also made in Germany and Canada. I am not a fan of sweet wines, but this was indeed quite delicious. Stephen, will you please discuss ice wine (or Eiswein) sometime in the future? That would be so great.
*Jane
posted on October 13, 2007 at 9:52 PM
Ice wine is defined as sweet wine made from frozen grapes (on the vine, not in a freezer). The water in the grape freezes, though the sugar and other dissolved solids do not. When the grapes are pressed, a highly concentrated liquid with a low water content and high sugar content is produced. This “liquid gold” is then fermented into ice wine.
In an unexpected frost during the winter 1794, several German farmers made the first attempt at ice wine, desperately trying to salvage their lost harvest. What resulted was the birth of a whole new method for sweet wine production, and consequently years after, some of the finest ice wines in the world.
Comments
john witherspoon wrote:
Hey Stephen -
Nice post and nice blog, glad to see you will be sharing your wine and food knowledge with us. I live in Virginia where quite a few wineries make "ice wine" using the cryoextraction process. Most refrain though from labeling them Ice Wine, and just call them dessert wines, and explain they were made in the ice wine style.
I got a chance to go wine tasting last year on the Niagara Penninsula and tasted some fabulous Ice Wines. I have to say Inniskillin was probably my favorite, and luckily now they are getting a pretty wide distribution, as over the past year or so I have started seeing them in our local wine shops. I did enjoy Pilliteri as well and if I remember correctly Jackson Triggs made a really nice one as well.
Take Care
John
posted on December 5, 2007 at 8:53 AM
Corey wrote:
Hey Stephen,
Got a quick question for you. I love reds (esp, a good Chianti) but my wife refuses to drink them because she likes sweeter wines (e.g., Reislings). What would you recommend for her in the red department?
Thanks,
Corey
posted on December 6, 2007 at 11:29 AM
Virginia wrote:
Stephen,
I love your blog, it's very informative for us who are new to the wine world. My mother has problems drinking red wines, she says they give her a headache. I didn't believe her until I had a bit of a head cold but still went for my favorite red at a dinner party and came out with a killer headache as well. Why is this? I have heard some say that it's a sensitivity to the tannins. Is this all in our heads?
Virginia
posted on December 6, 2007 at 4:17 PM
MJ wrote:
I love your blog, Stephen. You're the embodiment of sophistication. Thank you for sharing your insight. I hope you keep us updated about your new restaurant. I salivate at the prospect of experiencing your unique cuisine.
Much love
posted on December 6, 2007 at 10:21 PM
BernieB wrote:
Stephen,
I really like this blog where you're doing what you do best [wine info]. Maybe you could blog for the next season and maybe talk about wine pairings for the winning dish of the evening? Plus answering other Q&A.
Greets from Michigan, where some of our wines aren't half bad =)
posted on December 7, 2007 at 2:56 AM
Kat K. wrote:
Stephen,
I adore Amarone, but the prices are too steep for everyday drinking. Is there something semi-analagous, but lower-cost?
KK
posted on December 7, 2007 at 4:17 PM
Jane Claire wrote:
Thank you Stephen!! Thank you for focusing on my post about eismein. That is so awesome! I live in Oxfordshire, England, but after this term I will be on holiday with some friends in British Columbia, and I plan on doing a lot of taste-testing with Canadian ice wine while I'm there.
Happy Holidays, Everyone!!!
Jane
posted on December 8, 2007 at 12:33 PM
Xavier wrote:
Pilliterri has some great ice wines and they keep trying new things. They did a Cab Franc ice wine a couple years ago and in my view was a big hit.
But while the do ice and late harvest wines really well, the rest of their products are a little lacking.
posted on December 12, 2007 at 10:58 AM
melanie wrote:
Dear Stephen -(my brother's middle name was Stephen - spelled the same way) - Thank-you for your wine recommendations in the previous blog. As someone who doesn't particularly like wine but wants to - I will be trying them. Merry Christimas & Happy New Year to you!
posted on December 15, 2007 at 11:44 PM