2016 Ice Wine
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Vineyard: Irish Vineyard
ABV: 8% Harvest Brix: 39° RS: 270g/L (27% or 27°) Harvest Date: 12.14.16 Harvest Temp: 10°F
Flavor Notes: 2016 was a landmark year for Mari Vineyards—we opened our new tasting room, quadrupled production, began working with 22 different varietals, and ambitiously attempted our first ice wine. A crowning achievement for the vintage, the 2016 Ice Wine features Riesling grapes from our coolest and northernmost vineyard, Irish. Winemaker Sean O’Keefe endeavored to preserve the pure Riesling essence featuring a full range of ripe fruit flavor; enjoy notes of apricot, peach, mango, and pineapple as you sip this winter treasure.
Pairings: Ice Wine is dessert in a glass, and perfect to enjoy on its own after a meal. If you would like to pair it, seek balance with Riesling’s complex acid structure. Avoid mild cheeses in lieu of bleu cheese like roquefort or gorgonzola. Sweeter dishes like tangy New York style cheesecake and crème brûlée will provide a richer dense quality.
Vinification: The Riesling grapes for this ice wine were harvested on December 14th, 2016 after two days of 8-10°F temperatures. Conditions were perfect for this vintage as the grapes were luckily not harmed by weather, animals, or rot, and displayed a perfect balance of acid and sugar. Healthy ripe grapes were transported to the winery and pressed inside on the production floor. Hard as marbles, the frozen grapes released a nectar-like juice concentrated with proportionally increased sugar, acid, and extracts. The low freezing point of water allows the grapes to press out this intensely pure juice without dilution. Pressing frozen grapes is a slow process that required around the clock attention, meaning production staff tended to the press throughout the night for several days. Due to the high sugar concentration, fermentation was much slower than normal and took place over the course of a year. The grapes then rested in stainless drums for an additional year and a half before bottling.
Cellaring: One could age this wine for 20 years if desired. Once opened, drink within the first two days for freshest flavor; keep for a week and watch for a darkening in color.
2016 Ice Wine
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Vineyard: Irish Vineyard
ABV: 8% Harvest Brix: 39° RS: 270g/L (27% or 27°) Harvest Date: 12.14.16 Harvest Temp: 10°F
Flavor Notes: 2016 was a landmark year for Mari Vineyards—we opened our new tasting room, quadrupled production, began working with 22 different varietals, and ambitiously attempted our first ice wine. A crowning achievement for the vintage, the 2016 Ice Wine features Riesling grapes from our coolest and northernmost vineyard, Irish. Winemaker Sean O’Keefe endeavored to preserve the pure Riesling essence featuring a full range of ripe fruit flavor; enjoy notes of apricot, peach, mango, and pineapple as you sip this winter treasure.
Pairings: Ice Wine is dessert in a glass, and perfect to enjoy on its own after a meal. If you would like to pair it, seek balance with Riesling’s complex acid structure. Avoid mild cheeses in lieu of bleu cheese like roquefort or gorgonzola. Sweeter dishes like tangy New York style cheesecake and crème brûlée will provide a richer dense quality.
Vinification: The Riesling grapes for this ice wine were harvested on December 14th, 2016 after two days of 8-10°F temperatures. Conditions were perfect for this vintage as the grapes were luckily not harmed by weather, animals, or rot, and displayed a perfect balance of acid and sugar. Healthy ripe grapes were transported to the winery and pressed inside on the production floor. Hard as marbles, the frozen grapes released a nectar-like juice concentrated with proportionally increased sugar, acid, and extracts. The low freezing point of water allows the grapes to press out this intensely pure juice without dilution. Pressing frozen grapes is a slow process that required around the clock attention, meaning production staff tended to the press throughout the night for several days. Due to the high sugar concentration, fermentation was much slower than normal and took place over the course of a year. The grapes then rested in stainless drums for an additional year and a half before bottling.
Cellaring: One could age this wine for 20 years if desired. Once opened, drink within the first two days for freshest flavor; keep for a week and watch for a darkening in color.