Gewürztraminer Ice ( Eiswein ) Wine ( Icewine ) Tasting Notes
Ice Wine or Icewine or Eiswein was first developed in Germany, is a wine created by allowing grapes to freeze on the vine. The grapes are picked while frozen, and the resulting wine is fruity, complex, sweet and delicious.Grapes were left on the vines until the first deep frost, and the freeze/thaw cycles that occurred concentrated both the sugars and flavors of the grapes. The process was refined, and now icewines are highly prized drinks.
Updated 04/06/2007
On these pages I'm beginning to build a listing of tasting notes gathered from the internet, other sources, and my own personal experiences. I hope as time goes on that I will be able to taste many of these vintages/labels, especially those already enjoyed by Ms. Sue Courtney (identified with a 22Aug2004 style date code in the notes) and compare taste buds. I also list other winery vintages I have yet to taste myself or have found other tasting notes for. Those identified with an * are in my cellar either awaiting uncorking, or have been and my taste impressions await inclusion in description.
Important: If you know of a Gewürztraminer wine not listed, and /or have tasting notes for the wine, or have tasting notes for a wine already listed (whether it has notes already doesn't matter), please contact me with your information. Whether you're a winery, winemaker, or just love to drink wine, please feel free to add to these listings.
Submitting Gewürztraminer Wines for Review: Wines should be submitted to
GWTRAMINER SAMPLER, W259 N9116 Hwy 164, Hartland, WI. 53029-9010, U.S.A.
There is no charge or reimbursement for wines submitted, and though all submitted wines will be tasted, I can't guarantee that this will occur, or that a review will appear on this website. For each wine submitted, please send (2) bottles, unless limited by production, then (1) bottle will be satisfactory.
Mike Reilly
Afton Mountain Sweet Afton a blend of Muscat and Gewürztraminer grapes flash frozen and then pressed to make this luscious dessert wine. Enjoy it well chilled as an aperitif or an after dinner drink. It has 12.5% residual sugar. (375ml bottle) $18.50
Andrew Rich Gewürztraminer 2001, Oregon 82%; Washington 18%. Made in the manner of German eiswein—except that the grapes are frozen after harvest. The rock-hard little gewurz marbles are pressed for a full day or more as the thick, sweet juice drips slowly into the pan. Yields are about half that of fresh grapes, but with nearly twice the normal sugar level. The juice will then ferment for more than two months—until the acid/sugar/alcohol balance is judged to be ideal—before bottling. The 2001 vintage is at once powerful and harmonious, showing the classic gewurz markers of litchi and roses, along with honey, tropical fruit, and spice notes. While very intense, it seems to me to be perfectly balanced, with a long, clean, elegant finish. 92 Points, Wine Spectator, May 2003
Andrew Rich Les Vigneaux Gewurztraminer 2002, 375ML, $19.95
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Sources: "Wine Reviews" - Gewürztraminer by Sue Courtney,Notice: No endorsement or sponsorship of this website by any wine grower, producer, or importer has been given, or is implied. All trademarks and trade names of wines and their wine producers are the property of their respective owners or licensors.
All wine tasting notes/comments are either those of the respective winery and/or of dealers of wine & spirits on the internet. Where possible, the origin/source of the tasting note/comment is given, if known
