How to Drink Ice Wine

Co-authored by Murphy Perng and Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: May 25, 2022 References Approved

Ice wine is made from grapes that have naturally frozen on the vine, which makes the grapes sweeter.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Murphy Perng
Wine Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 March 2019.} All varieties of ice wine are sweet, dessert wines, though they can be made with different kinds of grapes. Sparkling ice wine is also available, and makes great cocktails. Serve chilled ice wine alone, with semi-sweet desserts, or with spicy or strongly-flavored foods.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Drinking Ice Wine

1
Chill ice wine to 50 to 54° F (10 to 12° C). Ice wine is best when chilled before serving. Store a bottle in your refrigerator for an hour or two before serving it. You could also put it in a bucket with ice to cool it down quickly, but avoid over-chilling it as that will prevent the flavors and aromas from coming through.^{[2]
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2
Serve ice wine in a white wine glass. White wine glasses are shorter and have a smaller bowl than red wine glasses. They also narrow toward the lip of the glass.^{[3]
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Research source} A white wine glass is the perfect stemware for showcasing the tantalizing aromas of ice wine.^{[4]
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- If you don't have white wine glasses, serve ice wine in red wine glasses, champagne flutes, or small cordial glasses.
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3
Pour 1.5 to 2 oz (50 to 60 mL) per person. Because ice wine is intensely sweet, a little goes a long way. Only fill the white wine glasses about a quarter full. Put the ice wine bottle in the fridge after pouring it to keep it cold for the next round.
4
Drink ice wine within two weeks of opening the bottle. After opening a bottle of ice wine, re-cork it and put it in the refrigerator. Ice wine has a high sugar content, so it stays fresher longer than many other wines as long as it's sealed and refrigerated.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Consuming Ice Wine

1
Drink ice wine for dessert. Enjoy a small glass of ice wine as a dessert beverage after a nice meal. The sweetness makes for the perfect nightcap.
2
Make ice wine slushies. Put 6 oz (200 mL) of ice wine in a blender and add 8-10 ice cubes. Blend the drink until it has the consistency of a slushie. Pour it into a chilled glass and serve.
- This drink is perfect for hot summer days!
3
Create an ice wine cocktail. Combine 1 ½ oz (50 mL) of sparkling ice wine, 1 ½ oz (50 mL) of vodka, and 1 ½ oz (50 mL) of lime juice in a cocktail shaker.
- Shake it with crushed ice then serve it in a martini glass with a lime garnish.
4
Make an ice wine Manhattan. Put 1 ½ oz (50 mL) of rye whiskey, 1 oz (30 mL) of ice wine, and several ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Shake it, then pour the drink into a rock glass. Garnish the glass with a slice of orange and some frozen cranberries.
5
Add a splash of ice wine to sparkling drinks. Pour a dash of ice wine in your favorite sparkling drink or cocktail, such as a bellini or a mimosa, to add sweetness and complexity.
- You could also use ice wine in a wine spritzer.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Pairing Ice Wine with Food

1
Pair ice wine with strongly flavored foods. Ice wine perfectly complements strongly flavored foods. The sweetness and acidity of the ice wine will pair nicely with strong tastes.Examples of strongly-flavored foods include:
- Aged blue cheese
- Wasabi peas
- Black olive tapenade
- Foie gras
2
Serve ice wine with rich seafood. Crab cakes, lobster, or scallops sauteed in butter would be a perfect pairing for ice wine. This sugary wine will complement the flavor of the seafood while it's sour undertones balance out the richness.^{[5]
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Choose spicy foods to pair with ice wine. Spicy dishes, including curries, cajun dishes, and spicy Asian cuisine, pair well with ice wine. The cool and sweet fruitiness of ice wine is a perfect balance to the spice and heat.^{[6]
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4
Enjoy a glass of ice wine with a sweet dessert. Ice wine pairs well with dessert items like dark chocolate. Choose a dessert that is at least as sweet as the wine, like pecan pie.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Murphy Perng
Wine Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 March 2019.}