Ice harvest at 450 m altitude for the most expensive wines

Almost a decade has passed since the last ice grape harvest in continental vineyards. But these January days, thanks to the deep minuses that dropped to 15 degrees below zero, winegrowers finally got lucky.

In Kutjevo vineyards, at the highest wine-growing elevation in Croatia, at almost 470 meters above sea level, ice grapes intended for the production of expensive wines were harvested.

January, covered in snow and ice, did not harm the resistant grapes, which were healthy on the vines and welcomed the flagship of all harvests – that of ice grapes. They are harvested in the early morning hours, in the harshest winter, when both breath and fingers freeze.

Every berry is precious

Picker Božana Mutić from Vetovo says that special caution is needed in such conditions.

“We have to be careful when harvesting so that the berries don't fall off too much. We put on rubber gloves first, and then regular gloves, so that we don't get so cold,” she said.

The reason for such care is clear – each berry full of frozen juice is extremely valuable.

Ten times lower yield, but top quality

Production technologist Kristina Sušilo explains that the yields of frozen harvest are many times lower compared to regular harvest.

“In a standard harvest, we get somewhere around eight to nine tons per hectare, and here ten times less because the grapes are dehydrated,” she pointed out.

But that is precisely why all the key attributes for the production of rare and extremely valued wines are preserved in the berries.

Sugar concentrate and high sugars

The chief oenologist of Kutjevo d.d. Ivan Marinclín states that the quality of the raw material is exceptional.

“We can see that the grapes still contain a lot of liquid. Organoleptically, it is very concentrated, it has a lot of sugar, I expect more than 180 on the Oechsle scale,” he said.

It is a pure concentrate of sugars, rich acids and fine botrytis - the ideal basis for the delicate and demanding process of producing ice wine.

A wine that matures in the bottle for decades

Due to its unique characteristics, ice wines can age in the bottle for decades, while maintaining a recognizable honey aroma and top quality.

Member of the Management Board of Kutjevo d.d. Dino Galić points out that such wines are particularly sought after in foreign markets.

“The markets that appreciate it the most are Great Britain, Scandinavia, Canada, and especially the American market, where they are positioned in renowned hotels, restaurants and wine shops,” he said.

Mini-bottles up to 500 euros

Rarity and demanding production are accompanied by a high price - a mini-bottle of ice wine, depending on the vintage, can reach up to 500 euros. And, as the producers point out, everything is sold - down to the last drop.

Source: HRT