Ernst Bretz Riesling Eiswein 375ML

Ernst Bretz Riesling Eiswein 375ML is a German ice wine made from 100% Riesling grapes, bottled at approximately 7% ABV in a 375ml half-bottle format. Produced by Weingut Ernst Bretz — a Rheinhessen estate with winemaking roots stretching back to 1721 — this Eiswein showcases the intense concentration that only naturally frozen grapes can deliver. The estate earned Winemaker of the Year honors (Winzer des Jahres) at the 2013 DLG Würzburg, along with a Bundesehrenpreis for Wine in Gold.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~7%  |  Origin: Rheinhessen, Germany  |  Eiswein (Ice Wine)  |  Producer: Weingut Ernst Bretz

Production & Heritage

The Bretz family has farmed vineyards in Rheinhessen since 1721, making them one of the region's most deeply rooted wine dynasties. Their inland vineyard sites, situated away from the moderating influence of the Rhine River, provide the reliable sub-zero temperatures essential for Eiswein production — a specialty the family has pursued since 1978. The grapes must be harvested and pressed while still naturally frozen on the vine, typically in the predawn hours of winter, which concentrates sugars, fruit acids, and aromatic extracts to extraordinary levels. Yields are drastically low, and some vintages are lost entirely to unpredictable weather, making each successful bottling a rare achievement.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe orange marmalade and candied tangerine peel, followed by layers of dried apricot and a subtle honeyed sweetness. A faint mineral undertone emerges as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: On the palate, lush apricot and pineapple flavors lead into a mid-palate rich with orange blossom honey and brown sugar. The high natural acidity characteristic of Riesling provides essential counterbalance, preventing the sweetness from becoming cloying and adding a bright, tangerine-like lift. Hints of green apple appear toward the back of the palate, adding freshness.

Finish: The finish is long and layered, with toffee and caramel notes lingering alongside a dry, minerally extract. That mineral quality provides unexpected structure and keeps the wine vibrant well after the last sip.

How to Drink Bretz Eiswein

Serve well chilled, between 6–10°C (43–50°F), in a small tulip-shaped glass that concentrates the aromatics. Sipping neat is the purest way to appreciate the intensity and acidity balance. As a cocktail ingredient, Eiswein adds rare depth: use it in a Riesling Spritz topped with dry sparkling wine and a twist of orange peel for a celebratory aperitif; in an Ice Wine Bellini, where the concentrated fruit replaces simple syrup and pairs beautifully with prosecco; or in a Frozen Riesling Margarita riff, where its natural sweetness and acidity stand in for triple sec alongside blanco tequila and lime.

Best For

• A distinctive dessert wine course at a dinner party
• Gifting a wine collector who appreciates rare German specialties
• Celebrating milestones — anniversaries, promotions, or holiday gatherings
• Pairing with a cheese and fruit board after a formal meal

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bretz Eiswein taste like? This Riesling Eiswein is dominated by concentrated orange marmalade, ripe apricot, and pineapple flavors, balanced by vibrant acidity and a long finish marked by toffee and mineral extract.

How does Bretz Eiswein compare to Dr. Loosen Eiswein? Both are respected German Riesling Eiswein producers, but Bretz benefits from inland Rheinhessen vineyards that provide reliable freezing conditions, while Dr. Loosen sources from steep Mosel slopes known for higher slate-driven minerality. Bretz tends toward a lusher, more marmalade-driven profile, whereas Dr. Loosen Eiswein typically emphasizes bright citrus and stony acidity.

Is Bretz Eiswein good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its concentrated sweetness is held in check by Riesling's naturally high acidity, making it an engaging wine to sip slowly on its own, ideally well chilled.

Where is Bretz Eiswein made? It is produced by Weingut Ernst Bretz in the Rheinhessen wine region of Germany, where the family has made wine since 1721 and has specialized in Eiswein production since 1978.

What foods pair well with Bretz Eiswein? Blue cheese such as Roquefort, whose salt contrasts the wine's sweetness; fruit tarts with apricot or peach glaze that echo the stone-fruit character; foie gras, a classic pairing where richness meets acidity; fresh tropical fruit salads that complement the pineapple notes; and crème brûlée, where the caramelized sugar mirrors the wine's toffee finish.

What sizes does Bretz Eiswein come in? The standard format is a 375ml half-bottle, which is the traditional size for Eiswein due to the extremely limited yields of ice wine production.

Is Bretz Eiswein worth the price? Eiswein sits in a premium-to-ultra-premium tier because of its labor-intensive, weather-dependent production and minuscule yields — entire vintages can be lost to insufficient frost. Within that category, Bretz represents strong value backed by over four decades of Eiswein-making expertise and national-level recognition.

Why Bretz Eiswein?

What distinguishes Weingut Ernst Bretz in the Eiswein category is consistency. Since 1978, the family has successfully produced ice wine in most vintages — a remarkable track record given that many German estates attempt Eiswein only sporadically. Their inland Rheinhessen vineyards achieve the deep freezes that coastal or river-adjacent sites cannot reliably deliver. The estate's Bundesehrenpreis Gold and Winemaker of the Year recognition at the 2013 DLG Würzburg confirm a level of quality that extends across their entire portfolio, not just their ice wines. For anyone seeking a genuine, tradition-rooted German Eiswein from a producer with nearly 300 years of family winemaking history, this bottling stands on its own merits.