In The thrill of the chill, Michigan wine writer Michael Brenton says:

Grapes for ice wine are hand-harvested while rock-hard. Water components of the grape juice stay frozen during the pressing process. Sugars, acids and other flavor components remain concentrated in the grape nectar, which ultimately will become ice wine. The process of pressing precious drops of juice from these icy gems can take days, and the fermentation can take weeks or even months...

Ice wine can be made from any grape variety, but traditionally it shines with varieties such as Riesling, Vidal, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Gris (a.k.a. Pinot Grigio). Germany is the traditional home of fine ice wine, but climate conditions in the regions mentioned above are ideal as well, and world-class ice wines are now made in each region.

Michigan wineries producing ice wine include 45 North, Bel Lago, Black Star Farms (2002 State Champ), Bowers Harbor, Brys Estate (2008 State Champ), Chateau Chantal, Chateau Grand Traverse (2007 State Champ), Cherry Creek, Domaine Berrien Cellars, Fenn Valley (2009 State Champ), Free Run Cellars , Lawton Ridge, Left Foot Charley, Lemon Creek, Longview, Mackinaw Trail, Peninsula Cellars, Pentamere, Sandhill Crane, Tabor Hill and Warner.

Read on at the Lansing City Pulse for more about ice wine! Many of these wineries are listed at absolutemichigan.com/Wine, so check them out and try some smooth and sweet ice wine soon! We've featured this video from Black Star Farms about making ice wine, before, but if you haven't seen it, have a look!

Photo courtesy Longview Winery.