No ice wine this winter, its just not cold enough

It is unlikely that Eiswein will be produced this year with temperatures in the Mosel rarely dropping below 8C - over 25 degrees warmer than this time last year. The minimum temperature required for Eiswein production is -7C.

There was a good Eiswein yield last year, which led many producers this year to hang on as long as they could. But this year the chances of harvesting grapes for Eiswein are very low as there is some advanced rot on the grapes meaning that temperatures would now have to reach at least -10C so that they are totally frozen at harvest.

Across the northern United States and Canada the story is the same, with Icewine production down by at least 40%. In Niagara the Icewine harvest is in danger not only due to abnormally high temperatures but also because of significant rainfall during autumn. Although most Niagara Icewine producers also make table wine, considerable rainfall forced growers to pick the thin-skinned Riesling grape early leaving nothing for Icewine.

Meanwhile at prestigious producer Peller Estates Winery they are optimistic, as for a single evening this month temperatures fell to the required -10C, enabling a large portion of their grapes to be picked.