Vineyards with favorable macro and micro conditions that enable the production of ice wine are rare. After the regular harvest, the grapes left on the vine go through all time cycles, susceptible to various diseases, birds, and wild animals that crave sweet grapes. Taking into account the above, the yield of up to ten times less than the regular harvest greatly influences the decisions of winemakers who are not prone to risks. However, the resulting wines are rightly called the true “nectar of the gods”, they are usually real sensations that win numerous medals, and they are regularly recognized by top wine producers.
At a temperature of -7˙C, dehydrated and frozen Traminer grapes at the Hrnjevac vineyard were harvested by diligent pickers from the Kutjevo winery, while the harvest itself was supervised by the chief oenologist, Ivan Marinclin, B.Sc. “Taking into account the quality, health of grapes, and the potential of the wine-growing position Hrnjevac, we decided on the risk of waiting for the ice harvest, which ultimately paid off. We do not expect a significant amount, but for this category, the quantity is completely irrelevant, the essence is its quality. Namely, the grapes intended for ice wine are of the highest quality, and we hope that, like our other wines, they will win a number of awards around the world. Harvesting is not at all easy due to the low temperatures and conditions in which it is carried out, and the production itself is still going on in the traditional way. It is important that the berries in the frozen state come for processing, which also takes place at low temperatures, and the must contain at least 127 ° OECHSLA (amount of sugar in the must). The must is quite thick, like honey, and passes only highly concentrated juice containing large amounts of sugar, the thickest concentrate of must, after which begins the great art of fermentation of this concentrate in a completely natural way, and is a long process lasting up to six months. at least a year of fermentation of that wine in order for it to achieve its best characteristics. The production process itself is time-consuming and risky, which makes ice vintages truly special, aromatic amber wines that surprise wine lovers with the intensity of color and aroma. We are satisfied that the production and quality of ice wines rank among the world’s most relevant wine regions. It is enough to mention that the Germans and Canadians have made a brand out of the production of predicate and ice wines, and it is up to us to show all the splendor of the Kutjevo vineyards with our own wines “, explains the chief oenologist
Due to the intense aroma and long-lasting taste that ice wine leaves in the mouth, it is recommended on its own or as an accompaniment to fine desserts. Kutjevo Winery is the most awarded and largest producer of ice harvest, and in the regular or archive offer, you can find different ages of Traminer and Graševina varieties. More detailed information and a rich offer of predicate wines inappropriate gift packages can be found within the online wine shop at www.kutjevo.com/webshop