With fall approaching, there are more gatherings and entertaining opportunities in which wine will more than likely be an important component. The traditional assortment includes, but is certainly not limited to, aperitifs, reds, whites, and dessert wines such as ports or sherries. Heavier ports and dessert are the perfect pairing for many cheese plates and desserts. Yet with September’s warm temperatures, a chilled ice wine may be a better wine choice.

2009 Pacific Rim Snow Angels Ice Wine - $21.99 - Monsieur Marcel’s

Ice wine, or Eiswein in German, is produced from grapes, mostly Riesling, that have been allowed to freeze on the vine. Upon pressing, the water in the grapes is frozen but the sugars are not, resulting in a more concentrated grape juice to be turned into wine. Ice wines have a refreshing sweetness and a balanced acidity. Many countries around the world produce this unique type of wine, mainly Germany and Austria in Europe, and Canada, New York and Washington in North America.

Pacific Rim is a biodynamic and sustainable winery in Washington that specializes in Rieslings and offers a beautiful ice wine. Hand harvested, the Riesling grapes for their 2009 Snow Angels ice wine are from a vineyard in the Columbia Valley. This elegant wine has notes of apricot and wet stones on the nose, with flavors of honey, ripe figs, pear and nectarine, with a tangy acidic finish, making it great with blue cheese and creamy fruit tart desserts. Scoring 92 points from Wine Spectator, Snow Angels is perfect for drinking now through 2017.

Kyle Rachal, is the wine and spirits buyer at Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market at the Original Farmers Market, focusing on limited production boutique wines and spirits. She enjoys introducing customers to new and unique bottles. Stop by and say hello.