| Of the many types of wine available, one of the | | | | the water is frozen, the juice and the sugars that |
| most sought after is ice wine. Ice wine is rare, | | | | remain are incredibly concentrated, producing a |
| and can only be produced in certain regions, under | | | | very flavorful juice. This juice is then fermented |
| certain weather conditions. Ice wine is produced in | | | | to produce ice wine. The resulting product is a |
| colder temperatures, such as British Columbia, | | | | very concentrated, sweet wine. The high sugar |
| where the weather conditions are right for the | | | | level also results in a slower fermentation process. |
| production of this type of wine. Ice wines can also | | | | So ice wine takes longer to produce than a |
| be found in the Pacific Northwest, and some | | | | normal table wine. |
| other regions where the temperatures are right. | | | | There are also wines produced that are called ice |
| Ice wine is produced in small quantities, making it | | | | wine, but they are produced differently. The |
| rare and hard to find. Because of this, ice wine is | | | | grapes are picked earlier, and then frozen before |
| generally much more expensive than other wines. | | | | pressing them for their juice. As a result, the |
| There are some wines that are called ice wines | | | | flavors of the grapes are not as fully developed |
| that are affordable, but true ice wine does come | | | | as in ice wine. As stated above, these wines are |
| with a hefty price tag. The cheaper ones are also | | | | also known as icebox wines. |
| called icebox wines, and are produced differently | | | | All of these factors, the particular weather |
| than a true ice wine. | | | | conditions, and the sparse amount of juice from |
| The weather conditions are critical for making a | | | | each grape, are what makes ice wine so rare and |
| true ice wine. Ice wine is pressed from frozen | | | | expensive. Ice wine is usually sold in half bottles, |
| grapes. The grapes are left on the vine to fully | | | | as opposed to regular wine, which typically is sold |
| ripen, then when the weather reaches low enough | | | | in 750ml bottles. Most stores do not sell ice wine, |
| temperatures, around -8 degrees C., the grapes | | | | and it is hard to find online. Even if you can find it, |
| freeze. Once frozen, the grapes are picked at | | | | it may be a bit expensive. But if you can, it is well |
| night, when the temperatures are coldest, and | | | | worth it. Ice wine, because of the sugar content |
| taken to be pressed. | | | | is very sweet, but not cloyingly so. The acid helps |
| The pressing also takes place in cold | | | | to balance out the sweetness. |
| temperatures, so that the water in the grapes | | | | Once produced, ice wine will sell very quickly. If |
| remains frozen. The frozen grapes produce only a | | | | you find a wine maker with some ice wine, you |
| small amount of juice, since the water in the | | | | should do your best to pick up a bottle or two. It |
| grape is frozen. Because the grapes have | | | | will be expensive, but well worth it. |
| remained on the vine to fully ripen, and because | | | | |