ICE WINE

Workers harvest cab franc grapes to make ice wine from a vineyard at Chateau Chantal on Wednesday morning on Old Mission Peninsula as temperatures hovered around ten degrees with winds gusting near 30 miles per hour. Ice wine requires temperatures below 17 degrees to freeze the water inside the grapes while they are still on the vine, concentrating the flavors. Winemaker Brian Hosmer said it was the first time the winery was making ice wine from cab franc grapes, but that they also plan to harvest a different vineyard when conditions are right to make ice wine with a white blend primarily made with Riesling.

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