What is ice wine? Discover wines made from frozen grapes

Let's start by defining ice wine. This concept refers to wines that are obtained from grapes that have been harvested and pressed while still frozen on the vine.  

Wine made from frozen grapes? That's right, it may seem hard to believe, but it exists, and more and more people are interested in it. One of its most important characteristics is its sweetness. This is due, precisely, to the action of the cold, which, by freezing the water in the fruit, causes the natural sugars present to concentrate. 

As you might guess, this eiswein is an oenological rarity that arises in certain countries and regions where winters are especially cold. This is the case of Germany, Austria, and Canada.  

Its invention, as could not be otherwise, was the result of chance. We love serendipity in the world of wine! It all goes back to the northern area of Bavaria. In 1794, frost caused the grapes to freeze while the winegrowers were still waiting for them to ripen. Despite this setback, they decided to go ahead with the winemaking process. Surprisingly, the result had very interesting characteristics, which encouraged them to continue trying in the following years. By 1846, fame and recognition of this new product began to spread throughout the rest of the world.  

It all begins at harvest time, which takes place late in the wine season, usually in October. Instead of harvesting all the grapes, the winemaker has to leave a portion unharvested, which is what will be used to make wine if conditions permit. To achieve this, the vines must be in optimal condition so that when the cold weather arrives, the fruit can withstand it without any problem. Afterward, it is a matter of waiting for the low temperatures to do their work. As for the varieties of grapes used, ice wine is made with Gewürztraminer and Riesling, the latter being the most used.  

The time for the second harvest will come when the temperature is between 7ºC or 8ºC below zero for several days. Normally, this happens in December. To make matters more complicated, this process can only be done with grapes from the first frost.   

Ice wine grapes are harvested early in the morning, when the grapes are completely frozen on the vine. Harvesting must be quick and manual to avoid any change in temperature that could precipitate defrosting.  

Due to the climatic requirements necessary to obtain this drink, its production is limited to specific areas and countries. Germany, the birthplace of this drink, is establishing itself as one of the main producers. The Rhine region is particularly notable.  

Following in its footsteps is Canadian ice wine, which is another of the largest producers. The Niagara area and provinces such as Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia stand out there.  

Apart from those already mentioned, we can also mention the Neusiedlersee region, located in Austria, and the entire northern area of the United States.  

Our country is known worldwide for its variety and richness in wines of our Designations of Origin, something made possible by our privileged geography. However, Spain does not meet the characteristics required for a process as complex as the one we have laid out to be done successfully. So, if you're wondering if ice wine is made in Spain, the answer is no.  

However, with the help of science and technological advances, it is possible to replicate the process in an artificial way. Instead of waiting for winter to affect the vines naturally, the grapes are frozen directly.  

The resulting product is known as cryoconcentrated wine. Its characteristics are not the same as those of a German ice wine, but they are quite close. This is because the European Union is responsible for protecting ice wine. Only those that have been produced traditionally and meet certain requirements can receive this designation.  

In Spain, cryoconcentrated wines are produced mainly in the Penedés area, a Catalan region known for its great wine tradition and dedication to cava. In fact, the Codorniu winery is located there. 

In recent years, ice wines have been desired by many consumers and lovers of the drink. We are therefore facing an upward trend within the sector. There are several reasons that have contributed to ice wine being so coveted.  

Ice wine’s exclusivity is derived from a limited and demanding production process. To be considered ice wine, the grapevine must be exposed to certain weather conditions that allow the grapes to freeze, which does not happen regularly. In addition, climate change poses another challenge when it comes to achieving the optimal environment that allows the production of this wine. Finally, the grapes must be frozen to be pressed, which makes the process even more difficult.  

Another factor to take into account is the growing interest in wine. Consumers are no longer content with drinking their favorite beverage, they are learning and researching the topic to better appreciate it. You, reader, are a good example of this. In this sense, more and more people are looking for new experiences and unique products, such as frozen grape wine. Of course, don't think that it only attracts attention because it is a rarity or something exotic; apart from the unusual nature of its production, it is a wine of great quality and with an incomparable sweetness.  

 Wine tourism experiences are increasingly popular as wineries try to stand out from the rest of the competition. And what better way to do it than by offering their unique ice wines? 

For all these reasons and more, ice wine is a fascinating product. Its production is almost a miracle, making it one of the most coveted wines. However, as its popularity grows, so do the challenges to its production, but alternatives such as cryoconcentrated wines take advantage of the technology applied to winemaking to offer a product very similar to ice wine. At 15 Bodegas, we do not yet have ice wine, but we do have an extensive catalogue in our online wine store that we invite you to explore.