Wine from frozen grapes at home: cooking technology

Wine from fresh frozen grapes (ice) is considered to be a dessert drink. The principle of its preparation is based on the heat treatment of berries and obtaining a more concentrated and sweet drink. The grapes are frozen on the vine, before the fermentation process begins. Ripe and he althy berries are used for preparation, this helps to make the drink tasty and fragrant.

The story of the origin of ice wine

Making wine from frozen grapes began in the 18th century in Germany. You can read about it in German documents. In those days, the product was not considered popular, only amateur winemakers produced it.But already at the beginning of the 20th century, when the pneumatic press was invented, ice wine became a common drink that was prepared in many manufacturing plants. Toward the middle of the 20th century, the product spread in America, and after that the popularity reached Russia.

Technological subtleties

The ice drink is considered weak, it contains only 6% alcohol. In some cases, the figures rise to 8%, but no more. In the process of preparing the product, grapes that have been frozen naturally are used. Usually the crop is harvested when the air temperature reaches 5 degrees below zero. Sometimes frosts do not come for a long time, so winemakers wait for the first opportune moment, at the same time protecting the berries from mold, insects and birds. It is very important at this moment to take care of the integrity of the grapes so as not to affect the taste of the finished drink.

It is worth noting that for freezing, the optimum temperature is from -5 to -10 degrees below zero.At -15 the grapes may become unsuitable for winemaking due to lack of juice. When the crop is harvested, it is crushed and sent under the press. Some countries use a more simplified preparation technique. For example, in Japan, berries are frozen artificially. However, this brewing method does not produce true ice wine.

Important! The fermentation process in this case takes longer than usual. This is due to the high sugar content in frozen berries. It usually takes about 4-5 months to prepare the product.

Suitable grape varieties

In creating wine, the main emphasis is on the method of processing berries, and not on their variety. Therefore, there are no clear requirements here. Experienced winemakers recommend using the following varieties:

Riesling.
Cabernet Franc
Chardonnay.
Kerner.

It is acceptable to use other types of berries.

Quality of the resulting product

Wine from frozen grapes should be light and sweet. It contains a lower percentage of alcohol, so the drink is considered to be dessert. Today, the drink is made and sold in many countries, but manufacturers often deceive customers and supply fake products to stores. In order not to make a mistake in choosing, you should carefully study the information on the labels. A quality product is marked iced wine, which translates as “frozen wine”. If there is no such inscription, it is better not to purchase the product.

How to make wine from frozen grapes at home

For home cooking, fresh, freshly harvested grapes are used. The process will require about 5 kg of frozen berries, 2 kg of granulated sugar and 6 tablespoons of wine yeast. When all the ingredients are prepared, you can start preparing a dessert drink:

Remove frozen fruits from the branches. It is important to have time to do this before the ice melts.
Put the workpiece in a deep container and grind it thoroughly. It is best if the procedure is carried out in a cool and well-ventilated area.
Pour the juice obtained after pressing into a clean container, pour yeast into it and cover the container with gauze. Leave the blank for 2 days. The liquid mixture should ferment and begin to sizzle.
After that, add sugar to the mass, mix the wine base thoroughly. You must wait until the granulated sugar is completely dissolved.
Put a medical glove on the neck of the container, having previously made a small hole in it.
In this form, the wine is sent to a warm room and left for 1 month. During this period, it should begin to ferment.
Strain the product with a rubber tube. It is necessary to try not to allow sediment to get into the wine itself, otherwise it will begin to ferment again, which will ultimately affect the taste of the ice product.
Pour the filtered mass into glass bottles and take it to the cellar for 2-3 months. During this time, the wine will finally infuse and acquire a sweet taste.
When the time has passed, the drink is passed through the filter again and the finished product is lowered into the cellar for storage.

Important! Store alcoholic products at a temperature of 0 to 6 degrees Celsius. Large numbers can harm the quality of the drink.

The shelf life of ice wine is around 4-5 years. It may decrease if important points were not taken into account during the cooking process.

Some winemakers recommend drinking the finished product in the first year, as later its taste characteristics may change.

How to drink ice wine

Ice wine is considered to be a dessert drink, so it is served with light and delicate sweet snacks.It is permissible to combine it with cheeses of various varieties, fruits and nuts. This combination helps to truly appreciate the taste of a berry product. Icewein is served young; this type of wine is not usually aged for a long time. Although some types of ice drink acquire a more tart and woody taste during aging, which is loved by many connoisseurs of wine products.

Icewine is consumed cold. The optimal indicators are kept at around 10-12 degrees. The drink is served in glasses used for white or red wine. It is not recommended to mix icewine with stronger alcohol.