We use vernacular equivalents in almost every language for the different ingredients of wine. Like red, white, sparkling, dessert wine. But some styles are mostly used as they are in English or French: rosé, blush, etc. Ice Wine is also in this second group, but it is less known. Let's take a closer look at this wine type, which is almost impossible to produce under Turkish climatic conditions.

As its name suggests, Ice Wine has an ongoing relationship with ice, which is the frozen state of water. The reason for this name is that the grapes to be used in production are not picked from the vine and left to freeze. In other words, frost, a vintner's nightmare, is a reason for existence for Ice Wine. Of course, the places where Ice Wine production can take place, allowing the grapes to freeze, lie down and freeze again depend on the climatic conditions. The fact that among the wine producing countries, like Germany, Austria and Canada, are also Ice Wine producers is a natural result of having these climatic conditions.

Among the grapes preferred for Ice Wine production, Central European grapes with their aromatic power such as Gewürztraminer and Riesling, and Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the international series stand out. We mentioned that the grapes selected for Ice Wine production are not picked during the harvest season but stored on the vine. As we all know that the harvest time in the Northern Hemisphere is September-October, so it is enough to understand that the harvest of grapes for Ice Wine is already an extraordinary process in the following February. The requirement that the temperature be at -280 C for the duration of the harvest makes picking the grapes even more difficult.⁰ C olması şartı üzümlerin toplanmasını daha da zorlaştırır.

The production of Ice Wine is a repetitive cycle of freezing the grapes on their branches, thawing, freezing again, thawing again. The water and sugar in the grapes are thoroughly separated during these physical changes. After harvest, the grapes are squeezed immediately and the must is fermented. The ice wine obtained from these grapes, whose sugar density increases with freezing and thawing, is a sweet wine.

Ice Wine is a laborious and sensitive product, making it an expensive wine. Delaying the harvest requires taking action to protect the vineyard, especially the grapes, from birds. Unless the climatic conditions are as expected, it may be difficult to achieve the desired quality. Harvesting by hand in very cold weather and at night greatly increases the cost of harvesting. In short, a difficult production process and cost must be taken into account for Ice Wine.

Ice Wine goes well with sweet and fatty foods. Ice Wine, which can be enjoyed with foie gras and high-fat cheeses and as a variety of desserts after the meal, is an expensive but pleasant alternative to complement your meal.

As you may remember, WAYANA Wine Menu is consisting of only locally produced wines. One of the two exception to this is Ice Wine (the other being sparkling wines). Black Knight, a German Eiswein, is the only example we have on our menu for Ice Wine enthusiasts.