What is Ice Wine?

Ice Wine, or Eiswine (German), is wine made from frozen, late-harvest grapes. The grapes are generally left on the vine longer to ensure a higher sugar concentration. Brix levels are typically in the 30+ range for Ice Wine grapes. In certain cold-weather areas, the grapes must be frozen by a natural frost. In other areas, artifical freezing of the grapes is acceptable.
Pinot Gris grapes can make an outstanding Ice Wine, sometimes called Vin Glace. The wine is usually sold in 375 ml bottles, and should be available at many fine wine outlets.

Wine

Harvest Has Ended

For most Pinot Gris vineyards, the harvest has finished, and the leaves will turn gold on their way to dormancy. Contrary to popular belief, most wines do not improve with age. Pinot Gris is one such varietal, usually having a life of five to seven years before the wine quality deteriorates. Pinot Gris can be imbibed very soon after the grapes are harvested and the wine is made. Usually, a 30-day period is recommended for the wine to be in the bottle before it is consumed to avoid "bottle shock".

These Leaves Are Turning

Almost Ready

Whole Lotta Gris

Lots of Pinot Gris
After several years of rising sales, Pinot Gris has surpassed Sauvignon Blanc as the second most popular white wine in the country in 2002. Only Chardonnay is currently more popular, based on national sales. Pinot Gris acreage continues to grow as well.

Oregon Pinot Gris

Grapes Close Up
David Lett of Eyrie Vineyards is credited with bringing Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris to Oregon back in the 1960's. Oregon's gris production has grown from a minimal number of vines (less than an acre) to several thousand acres, and continues to grow.

What's So Great About Pinot Gris?

The popularity of Pinot Gris has been soaring in recent times, rivalled only perhaps by Viognier as the up-and-coming white wine. Why is Pinot gris so cherished?

First of all, there’s a variety of styles from very dry to fruity-sweet. It offers the palate feel of Chardonnay freshened by the aromatic traits found in Riesling and Gewürztraminer. Quality Pinot Gris has a velvety textural feel with an abundance of rich flavours such as pears, spice, apples, peach, apricot, and honey. The soft, supple acids carry the rich, dry fruit to a refreshing finish.

Grapes in the Sun

Pinot Gris on a Wire
These grapes have it all...good sun exposure, lots of space for air flow, and easy access for the harvesters. Of course, exposed grapes are susceptible to birds, bugs, deer, and any other hazards that might come along.

Pinot Gris Against a Blue Sky

Blue Grape Sky
The optimal grape-growing season is featured with frost-less spring, a long, warm, growing season, and good weather at harvest time. The long summer days provide the heat units that the grapes crave. Depending on the area, Pinot Gris grapes need anywhere from 1900 to 2500 Degree Days to mature. A Degree Day is the average temperature minus fifty degrees Fahrenheit. So a day with an average temperature of 71 degrees would have 21 Degree Days.

Pinot Gris on the Vine

Pinot Gris Clusters
Pinot Gris is usually a mid-harvest grape, while its counterpart, Pinot Noir, is an early-harvest grape. The picture above was taken about a week before harvest. Note how the grapes hang on the lower half of the vine, maximizing morning sun exposure, when the grapes are most vulnerable to excess moisture. This also makes picking the grapes very quick and easy.

Gris Means 'Grey'

Pinot Gris Closeup
Here's a closeup shot of some Pinot Gris clusters about a week before the harvest. Note the yellow color of some of the leaves, indicating the onset of autumn. There are no green grapes at this point. The grapes are all purple-brown, or purple-grey. Smaller grapes have better flavor concentration than large ones. Most vineyard managers strive for uniformity when it comes to grape size.

Pinot Gris on the Web

Thanks to Online Cooking for putting my Pinot Gris article on their website. They cut off part of the title, but I won't complain too much...

Test Your Wine Knowledge

Here's the best wine trivia game I've seen. It uses Flash.
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Wine Quotes

Some of my favorite wine quotes...

"Beer is made by men, wine by God!" - Martin Luther

"And Noah began to be a husbandman, and he planted a vineyard." - Genesis 9:20

"I have enjoyed great health at a great age because everyday since I can remember, I have consumed a bottle of wine except when I have not felt well. Then I have consumed two bottles." - Bishop of Seville

“Wine makes a man more pleased with himself; I do not say it makes him more pleasing to others.” - Samuel Johnson

Overlooking the Vineyard

Misty Morning
Vineyards are usually planted on gently sloping hills. This helps eliminate "frost pockets", which can prove deadly to buds in springtime. Some moisture is good for grapes, but too much humidity will leave the grapes mushy or moldy. Cool morning temperatures around harvest time can add crispness to the grapes' flavor.

Life In The Vineyard

Vineyard Rows
Row spacing will affect the vine size. Wider spaces between the rows will allow for machinery to access the plants. Closer row spacing tends to decrease plant size by reducing the area covered by the roots of each plant.

2005 Oregon State Fair Medal Results

Here are the Pinot Gris medals awarded at the 2005 Oregon State Fair Wine Competition...

Best of Classification – Specialty Wines
King Estate
2004 Vin Glacé Pinot Gris
Eugene, Oregon

Gold Medals:
Bridgeview Vineyards
2003 Pinot Gris, Blue Moon, Oregon

Firesteed Cellars
2003 Pinot Gris, Oregon

King Estate Winery
2003 Pinot Gris, Oregon
2004 Vin Glace, Pinot Gris, Oregon

Willamette Valley Vineyards
2004 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley

Silver Medals:
Ankeny Winery
2004 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley

Cooper Mountain Vineyards
2004 Pinot Gris, Cooper Hill, Willamette Valley

ElvenGlade Vineyard
2004 Pinot Gris, Yamhill

Iris Hill Winery
2004 Pinot Gris, Oregon

Montinore Estate
2004 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley

Paradis Vineyard
2003 Pinot Gris, Estate, Willamette Valley

Pheasant Valley Vineyard and Winery
2004 Pinot Gris, Columbia Gorge

Bronze Medals:

Airlie Winery
2003 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley

Eola Hills Wine Cellars
2004 Pinot Gris, Oregon

Hauer of the Dauen
2002 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley

Sahalie Wine Cellars
2004 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley

Stone Wolf Vineyards
2004 Pinot Gris, Oregon

Wine By Joe
2004 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley