What is a common feature of ice wines?

Ice wines are characterized by their high sugar content, which results from grapes being harvested while still frozen on the vine. This process concentrates the sugars as the water in the grapes freezes, allowing for a significant increase in sweetness when fermented. The freezing process also leads to the preservation of some acidity, which balances the wine’s sweetness, resulting in a rich and luscious dessert wine.

Other features commonly associated with ice wines may include bright acidity and often floral or fruity notes, but the defining characteristic is the high sugar content due to the unique harvesting method. The presence of heavy tannins is unusual for ice wines, as they are typically made from white grapes with lower tannin levels, making this option less relevant to the specific nature of ice wines.