need ice wine and Shiraz descriptions?

One Comment

1. Pontac says:

   September 27, 2009 at 11:56 pm

   1) ICE WINE

   Ice wine made from grapes that have been frozen on the vine, thus producing an intensely concentrated sweet wine. And expensive.

   The reason it is concentrated is that the water element in the grapes is frozen solid and discarded at crushing thus leaving only the sugary essence of the grape.

   Germany and Austria are the main producers of Eiswein in Europe, but Canada with its more reliable cold weather is the major producer of ice-wine, and its prices are more reasonable.

   Only thick skinned grapes can be used, since they hang on the vines past normal harvest and have to be tough enough to withstand extreme cold without cracking. Riesling makes probably the best eiswein/icewine but it can be exceedingly acidic when young. In Canada the Vidal variety makes a good icewine at lower cost, and Canada also makes a delightful pink icewine from Cabernet Franc

   Some wineries such as Boony Doon (with Vin de Glacier) in California, artificially freeze grapes, but the name eiswein/icewine cannot be used for these artificially frozen grape wines in Europe, Canada or New York State and probably elsewhere.

   Eiswein/icewine is always going to be very expensive, and is usually sold in half (37.5cl or third (25cl) of abottle sizez, however but you only drink a very small measure at a time.

   It is a sublime experience which you should try when you can.

   SHIRAZ

   Shiraz - also known as Syrah - is a red grape that originated in France’s Rhone Valley. While Rhone wines have always had their fans, it is the Australian Shiraz’s that made the variety famous in the past 20 years. The variety has been planted widely now throughout much of the wine world.

   It is deep red, fruity with a spicy pepperiness, easy to drink and so popular with newcomers to wine. The most famous new world Shiraz is Penfolds Grange which retails upwards of $180 a bottle. This is a serious wine for keeping, but there are plenty of inexpensive approachable Shirazs on the market. One such is the very popular Fat Bast-ard Shiraz which comes from the south of France.