Wine Column
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Wine & Dine
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Discover Germany, Switzerland & Austria
Wine from frosted grapes? Yes, please. Eiswein, aka ice wine, is the rare winter wine made from frosted grapes and cold evenings are the perfect match for a glass of Eiswein. TEXT: KATE JONES, THE WINEBARN
Eiswein, otherwise known as ice wine, is the most exclusive of all wine styles, and is popular internationally as a rarity and a specialty. This cold-harvest wine is made from grapes picked at -7°C or below, and due to global warming, is becoming increasingly scarce. The frosty conditions freeze the water content of the grape. This water remains in the wine press whilst the juice drips into vats, giving this wine its divine dense concentration of sweet grape extract. With such high sugar levels, it is difficult for the yeast to process the juice into wine. Eiswein, as a result, tends to have an intense sweetness and richness, yet naturally low alcohol and a bright acidity. It is smooth, concentrated, heaven in a glass.
WINEMAKER: JAKOB SCHNEIDER VINTAGE: 2020 NIEDERHÄUSER KLAMM RIESLING EISWEIN Region: Nahe Price per bottle (0.375l): £62.45
Region: Württemberg Price per bottle (0.375l): £48.99
Tamlyn Currin, wine writer for Jancis Robinson, awarded this wine a highly impressive 18.5 out of 20 points. Tamlyn describes this wine as: “Bottled in May 2021. This is the first year Schneider have been able to make this wine since 2016. Strikingly long and elegant. So exquisite it's hard to describe. Iris perfume. Guava nectar. Blueberries. Green figs when their sticky nectar is like wild honey. Sometimes words won't do.”
Golden, dense and rich, this Riesling Eiswein is well balanced in structure, with a beautiful sweetness and acidity. It has complex flavours of ripe exotic fruit, honey and concentrated passion fruit.
Eiswein is a favourite for festive occasions, makes an exquisite aperitif, pairs perfectly with fruity desserts, and would make an excellent edition to any connoisseur's wine collection.
Aldinger 2021 Untertürkheim Mönchberg Riesling Eiswein (0.375l)
Schneider 2020 Niederhäuser Klamm Riesling Eiswein (0.375l)
The WineBarn, an award-winning, exclusively German wine merchant, recommends three of its favourite ice wines. WINEMAKER: ALDINGER VINTAGE: 2021 UNTERTÜRKHEIM MÖNCHBERG RIESLING EISWEIN
Why not treat yourself? Visit: www.thewinebarn.co.uk/collections/ eiswein-ice-wine
Iris Ellmann, Managing Director of The WineBarn.
The WineBarn is a multi-award-winning wine merchant that specialises in exclusively German wine and has been bringing pure drinking pleasure to the UK for over 23 years. Its elegant wines have been selected to cover a range of styles – from the affordable to the luxury, from dry to sweet and from fresh to full-bodied, ensuring there is something to suit all tastes and pair with any cuisine.
To find your new favourite German wine, contact The WineBarn for a personal recommendation. Visit: www.thewinebarn.co.uk Call: +44 1962 761 215 Email: wine@thewinebarn.co.uk
March 2026
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Issue 13 9
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47