Ice wine is one of the most labor intensive dessert wines to produce. Traditionally the grapes are left on the vine until a deep winter freeze when they are night harvested. By harvesting the grapes when frozen, it’s possible to extract the frozen water from the rest of the grape, leaving behind a highly concentrated juice from which the wine is made. The wines are sweet with heady aromas and enjoyed in modest portions. In 2018 the wine judges had the pleasure of rating 4 ice wines, all earning high scores.

1. Tzafona Cold Climate Vidal Ice Wine 2015 Niagara Peninsula, 94 Points, Excellent, Highly Recommended

2. Parallel 44 Ice Wine St. Pepin 2016 Wisconsin Ledge, 94 Points, Excellent, Highly Recommended

3. Wagner Vineyards Riesling Ice Wine 2016 Finger Lakes, 93 Points, Excellent, Highly Recommended