Killahora Orchards Ice Apple Wine 375ml

Details

A luxurious and intensely concentrated dessert wine with a distinct Irish character. It pours a deep, dark honey colour and offers a complex bouquet of baked apples, orange peel, and butterscotch. On the palate, it is unctuous and silky, featuring decadent flavours of honey and apricot that are perfectly countered by a “burnished” acidity and a long, crisp finish.

Region: Glounthaune, Co. Cork, Ireland.

Vintage: 2024/2025 releases (based on the 2021 or 2022 pressings, given the long fermentation and maturation time).

Style: Sweet Dessert Wine (Ice Cider/Apple Ice Wine).

Grapes: None. It is crafted from a blend of over 100 varieties of rare bittersweet apples, specifically chosen for their high tannin and sugar content.

Fermentation: The juice is extracted from the apples and then concentrated using freezing temperatures to create a rich, dense must. This must undergoes an exceptionally slow fermentation—often lasting over a year—using wild yeasts. The process is stopped naturally to leave a high level of residual fruit sugar.

Filtration: The wine is matured for at least 12 months in stainless steel before being gently filtered to ensure clarity while retaining its viscous, mouth-coating texture.

Alcohol: 10.5% – 11.5% (varies slightly by batch).

Farming: Sustainable and artisanal. The orchards are managed with minimal intervention, and the estate is a member of Origin Green, focusing on biodiversity and heritage fruit conservation.

Allergens: Contains sulphites (minimal additions); Vegan-friendly.

Pairing Suggestion: A legendary match for Irish blue cheeses (like Cashel Blue) or Ardsallagh goat’s cheese. It is equally stunning with a classic Tarte Tatin, apple crumble with custard, or simply enjoyed on its own as a liquid dessert.