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The Weingut Löffler from the Markgräflerland (Baden) has brought the first de-alcoholized ice wine to market. The Baden-based operation specializes in alcohol-free wines and already offers several varieties. In collaboration with French expert Frédéric Chouquet-Stringer, the family has now been able to add another specialty to their portfolio. For the ice wine, the Gutedel grapes harvested on January 12, 2024, at minus eight degrees were used. Half of the 700 liters were de-alcoholized.
"The fermentation stopped at 8% vol. and 157 g/l sugar at 350 liters of wine. Due to this very special balance, we did not add any additional sugar for the de-alcoholization, but we had to slightly acidify the wine, sulfur it, and use potassium sorbate during bottling," explains Frédéric Chouquet-Stringer.
For such small quantities, de-alcoholization is only possible with reverse osmosis, with 300 liters being the minimum volume. "I was concerned that a de-alcoholized ice wine would taste very much like fruit juice, but that is not the case at all. With the fermentation aromas and the 157 g/l sugar, the substance is significant," says Chouquet-Stringer.
The 840 bottles (0.375 l) are already available. For end consumers, it is available from 34.90 euros.
(ru /Vitisphere)