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

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  1. 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]
  2. White wine glasses are shorter and have a smaller bowl than red wine glasses. They also narrow toward the lip of the glass. [3] A white wine glass is the perfect stemware for showcasing the tantalizing aromas of ice wine. [4]
    • 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. 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. 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.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Consuming Ice Wine

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  1. Enjoy a small glass of ice wine as a dessert beverage after a nice meal. The sweetness makes for the perfect nightcap.
  2. 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. 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. 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. 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.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Pairing Ice Wine with Food

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  1. 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. 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]
  3. 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]
  4. 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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