A Guidance through Quality Alcohol: Ice Wine & Straw Wine

Ice and straw wine are considered to be a delicacy. In this article, you will find out why these wines are so rare and special. These wines can be categorized as sweet wines. The main difference between them, is the amount of residual sugars in grapes which is in each wine achieved differently. An ice wine gain its sweetness thanks to weather, meanwhile a straw wine needs to get a little different help.

It is up to nature, whether an ice wine will contrive

The production of an ice wine begins with harvesting of grapes. Those grapes can be collected only if the temperature falls under -7 °C. It is all about timing and completely up to nature. If a frost would come too late, grapes can be attacked by insects or other environmental forces. 

On the other hand, if the frost is spot on, frozen grapes go straight to wine-press machine. Wine makers stress the importance a temperature of atmosphere which can affect the quality of wine too. During the pressing, sweet and flavorous must is separated from water and is let to ferment. Gradually, the final product arises, specific in its flavour and high residual sugars.

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Straw wine is achieved by drying for several months

The oldest records about a straw wines come from ancient Greece. The key to gain this delicious sweet taste are late harvested mature grapes. The second step is to dry the grapes over a reed thatch for at least 3 months. Other methods used to dry grapes are cane mats or hanging grapes on strings.

During the drying process, similarly to ice wine, water gradually evaporates from the grapes. After drying, the wine can be fermented. The result is a quality sweet wine with a unique taste.

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What kind of food do these types of wine suit with?

Ice and straw wines must be cooled well, ideally below 10 ° C. They are recommended in combination with cheeses or sweet desserts. You also won't spoil anything if you offer it to guests as an aperitif.