WineLovers Discussion Group

Today I purchased a 2004 Kracher Eiswein Cuvee (Welschriesling and Chardonnay, I think). It was on sale for $5 off, but even the discounted price of $30 for a half-bottle is a significant splurge for me.

My only other icewine was a little 2004 Jackson-Triggs Vidal split for $16.15 (also a discounted price). I opened it soon after purchase, and my girlfriend called my reaction a wine-gasm.

Any advice about when to open the Kracher? Since I don't get to experience this luxury often, I want to savor it when it's at its best.

Thanks.

My advice is drink it whenever you feel like it. Eiswein is always open for business, and while it changes with age I can't say that I think it gets better, just different.

I agree with David. I haven't had any that was more than six or seven years old, and don't intend to. They are so wonderful in their youth. I hope to see a few at MoCOOL this year. Hell, maybe I'll bring a couple of those, too.

$16 for a half bottle of JT Vidal Icewine is a hell of a bargain - they usually sell for about $40-$50 in the US. The Kracher sounds like a good price too.

I'd drink the Vidal fairly soon (1-2 years): it is a relatively low acid grape/wine, and can lose what little freshness it has with too much time.

Wow, if she called your reaction to the Jackson Triggs a winegasm, she better suit up for the Kracher. Or maybe watch from another room.

Jenise wrote:Wow, if she called your reaction to the Jackson Triggs a winegasm, she better suit up for the Kracher. Or maybe watch from another room.

Or share it.

David M. Bueker wrote:Or share it.

Oh, that's a given. Once he calms down, that is.

since the german version will have about half the RS of the ontario version and more acid, it should last a bit longer; but, again, it will be so delicious now that.......

John S wrote:

$16 for a half bottle of JT Vidal Icewine is a hell of a bargain - they usually sell for about $40-$50 in the US. The Kracher sounds like a good price too.

I've a feeling the reference to a "split" meant 187 ml. I've seen those selling for anywhere between US$15 - 20 where I live. We enjoyed our little bottle while watching Canada win Olympic gold in hockey this year. (Too bad about the men's team though!)

cheers,
al

Ah, not a 375? It might also be a 200 ml bottle, as that is fairly common with Canadian icewines.