News on German Ice Wine

Filed in archive German Wines on January 30, 2007

Last month was the last possible time to collect those frozen grapes for some yummy ice wine. Looks like some growers were still able to get some good grapes before the end of the year according to Wein-Plus Magazine:

Although most German wine producers had already given up hope, the end of the 2006 vintage season has seen a few ice wines made in minuscule quantities.

At least for a handful of producers, the anxiety and effort appear to have been worth it. For instance, the Landmann estate in Freiburg-Waltershofen was able to produce approx. 170 litres of a Cabernet Cubin ice wine. According to the producer, the variety has a thick skin, making it suitable for a long hanging period. The must weight was around 175 degrees Oechsle.

The frosty temperatures experienced on several days last week saw temperatures in some areas plummeting to minus 17 degrees Celsius, giving a number of producers the opportunity to bring in ice wine. The Nordheim co-operative in Franken as well as several areas in the Pfalz were able to harvest frozen grapes. The Schales estate in Rheinhessen has made around 200 litres of a Pinot Noir ice wine picked at 218 degrees Oechsle: the 50th ice wine harvest for this estate, and at the same time the latest date this style has ever been picked on.