Individual wineries in the southwest are hoping to use the frigid night temperatures to harvest recent ice grapes. Managing Director of the Baden Grape Growers Association, Holger Klein, said in Freiburg that the temperature in Freiburg should be quite cold. A minimum cold temperature of minus seven degrees is a basic production requirement. The frozen grapes are taken back and then immediately pressed.
“Ice wine is a game of oddities.” Winemakers read less and less about ice wine. The reason is clear: as a result of climate change, the weather rarely gets cold and at the same time the grapes in question still have to hang on the vine, continues Klein. According to information from the association, no winemakers in the Württemberg wine region wish to harvest ice wine.
Ice wine is considered a rare item among wine connoisseurs. This is a high quality and noble sweet wine. Ice wine usually has high levels of residual sugar, namely more than 100 grams per liter. Harvesting must be done no later than February 28th. As the German Wine Institute reports, ice wine especially requires healthy grapes. This ensures a fresh and intense fruit taste.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251123-930-328192/1
