Ice Wine Solarè debuts at Holiday Open House Dec. 8
Fresno State

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(December 5, 2006); Fresno State's newest student-produced vintage, Solarè dessert wine, will make its debut from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at the Holiday Open House hosted by the Fresno State Winery, 2360 E. Barstow between Cedar and Maple avenues.

The event, which is free and open to the public, also will spotlight the release and tasting of 2004 Fresno County Syrah from the Saviez Vineyard near Fresno, 2004 California Tempranillo and Eclipse” (“Eclipse squared"). Guests must be 21 or older to attend or taste the wine.

“Our Holiday Open House is growing in popularity every year, and this year we are excited to unveil our latest venture “ an ice wine," said Ken Fugelsang, winemaster at Fresno State, the nation?s first university campus with a commercial winery.

Solarè is the Fresno State Winery's interpretation of the ice wine style first produced accidentally in Germany in 1794.

“An unexpected hard freeze forced Franconia [modern Rheingau] winemakers to process frozen grapes," said Fugelsang. “It was not until the mid-1800s that ice wine was intentionally made."

In addition to tasting the newest wines, guests at the Holiday Open House will sample other student-produced food from the Fresno State Vineyards, Orchards and Farm Market. Representatives will be on hand to chat about the new pistachio crop, award-winning Estate Reserve Olive Oil and the new Fresno State Honey, as well as talk to guests about their products.

The Farm Market will have holiday gift baskets available for purchase.

“Our holiday gift baskets truly are something special," said Jennifer Sobieralski, the Farm Market manager. “We take the best Fresno State farm-fresh products and package them together to make a holiday gift unique to Fresno State."

Vintage “Celebration of Wine" commemorative tasting glasses will be offered as a gift from the Fresno State Winery to the first 100 guests arriving at the Holiday Open House, said Jessup Wiley, marketing manager for the Fresno State Farm and Winery. (The Celebration of Wine is held in June to raise funds for the viticulture and enology library at Fresno State).

In North America, ice wines are produced in Canada?s Ontario province and the northern-most tier of states in the United States.

Contemporary ice wine is produced in much the same fashion as it was 200 years ago, Fugelsang explained. Harvest begins once the temperature drops below 0-12oF and the grapes have naturally frozen on the vines. Frozen grapes are rushed to the winery where they are pressed immediately. As the fruit is pressed, the water component remains behind in the form of ice crystals while highly concentrated juice (37-45%+) is expressed. Juice and wine yields are very low; less than 20% of the yield from freshly harvested grapes.

“A vine that would normally produce enough fruit for a bottle of wine produces only one glass of ice wine," he said. “After pressing and clarification, the highly concentrated juice is then fermented very slowly for several months, stopping naturally."

For Fresno State's Solarè, produced from fully-ripened Viognoier grapes grown in Madera County and harvested in fall 2003, the fruit was immediately frozen and held until January of the following year when it was pressed, Fugelsang said. Sixty gallons of juice at 39% sugar, was clarified and fermented in neutral French barrels for 10 months at 55oF, as fermentation naturally subsided. One year later, the alcohol content was increased using Muscat brandy produced from grapes grown on the campus vineyard. The blend was aged another year before bottling.

“Ice wine flavor should be intense but balanced." Fugelsang said. “Fresno State's Solarè is a profusion of honeysuckle aroma followed by rich fully-ripened pear, peach and mango flavors. The experience culminates with rich tropical orange-vanilla flavors and incredibly long finish. Solarè is an ideal dessert pairing with fruit and cheese."

The Solarè ice wine also will be featured at the Fresno State Winemaster's Weekend at the Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite March 2-3, 2007.

The Solare will sell for $16.95 per bottle. The Saviez Syrah goes for $14.95, the Tempranillo for $12.95 and the Eclipse” will be $9.95. Proceeds benefit Fresno State?s agricultural programs.

For more information on the Fresno State Winery's Holiday Open House, contact Jessup Wiley, winery marketing manager, at 559.278.4867 or e-mail jwiley@csufresno.edu.
For more information on the Fresno State Farm Market, call 559.278.4511
Fresno State Winery is the first university winery in the United States with a license to produce and sell wine commercially (1997). Under the direction of the university's winemaster and winemaker, students produce numerous varieties, many of which have received prestigious awards at international and national wine competitions. Fresno State wines can be purchased at the Fresno State Farm Market, at several retail outlets, and online at
www.FresnoStateWinery.com

. Proceeds from sales benefit College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology programs.

California State University, Fresno is the largest institution of higher education in Central California and has a growing reputation as one of the West Coast's premier universities. Founded in 1911, Fresno State has earned national acclaim for programs in teacher-preparation, health care, water technology, winemaking, entrepreneurship and the Classics. Guided by a distinguished faculty, our 22,000 students receive the academic, practical and leadership skills to meet the dynamic challenges of today and the future in the global community.

FRESNO STATE NEWS
News contact: Tom Uribes
Office of University Communications
559.278.5366 office
559.246.1717 cell
tomu@csufresno.edu
www.FresnoStateNews.com