Ice wine from Topoľčianky in demand on Asian markets

The frosty period between Christmas and New Year's Day was greeted by wine makers from Topoľčianky and Jelenec (Nitra region), as they were finally able to pick frozen Blaufrankisch and Welschriesling grapes that will be used for production of ice wine. Ice wine is a type of dessert wine produced from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine. Apart from Slovakia, ice wine from Topoľčianky has also found markets in Japan, China, Singapore and Taiwan. "Demand on these markets is really huge. The locals like the sweet ice wine, but they don't have proper conditions for making it themselves. Meanwhile, it's far more difficult to establish yourself on the European markets, as ice wine is also being produced in Austria, Germany and the Czech region of Moravia", says Miloš Ševčík, production director of the Vinárske závody Topoľčianky winemaking company, adding that a significant role is also played by the relatively high price of this wine.