Dessert wines provide a sweet compliment to dessert and cheese courses. They are characterized by higher sugar and alcohol content than standard table wines, offering wine lovers a rich and indulgent experience.

What is dessert wine?

Dessert wine is a category of sweet wines typically served with or after dessert. In the United States, dessert wines are legally defined as having an alcohol content above 14%, higher than many standard table wines.

What is a good dessert wine?

A good dessert wine strikes a balance between sweetness and acidity, offering a rich and complex flavor profile. Some of the most admired dessert wines include:

• Sauternes: Often called the "King of Dessert Wine," this sweet Bordeaux offers honey, peach, apricot, and nutty flavors.
• Tokaji Aszú: A sweet golden white wine from Hungary offering rich flavors of saffron and ginger.
• Vintage Port: A fortified wine from Portugal with big, bold fruit flavors and aromatic sweetness.
• Ice Wine: Made from grapes that freeze before harvesting, Eisweins balance concentrated sweetness and high acidity.
• Moscato d'Asti: A sweet, slightly sparkling Italian dessert wine with light, fresh fruit flavors.

How are dessert wines made?

Winemakers use several methods to produce wines with high residual sugar and alcohol content, each resulting in unique flavors and characteristics:

• Late Harvest: Grapes are left on the vine longer, allowing them to develop higher sugar levels.
• Noble Rot: Grapes are affected by a fungus called Botrytis cinerea, which concentrates sugars and flavors.
• Fortification: Brandy or neutral grape spirits are added to the wine during fermentation, halting the process and leaving residual sugar.
• Drying Grapes: Grapes are dried to concentrate sugars before fermentation.
• Freezing Grapes: Ice wines use grapes left on the vine to freeze, then pressed while still frozen to extract concentrated sugars.

Which grapes are used in dessert wines?

Various grapes are used to produce dessert wines, each offering unique flavors and aromas. Some of the most common grapes used include:

• Muscat: Used in Moscato d'Asti and other sweet Muscat wines, offering floral and fruit notes.
• Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, and Semillon: The blend used in Sauternes, resulting in honey, peach, and apricot flavors.
• Riesling: Used in late harvest and ice wines, providing a balance of sweetness and acidity.
• Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Barroca: The primary grapes used in Port production.
• Furmint: The main grape in Tokaji Aszú, offering flavors of honey, apricot, and spice.

Is Moscato a dessert wine?

Yes, Moscato is a type of dessert wine. Moscato, or Muscat, refers to a family of grapes used to produce sweet, aromatic wines (among other types). The most well-known Moscato dessert wine is Moscato d'Asti, a sweet, slightly sparkling wine from the Piedmont region of Italy. This wine is characterized by its low alcohol content, light body, and fresh, fruity flavors of peach, apricot, and orange blossom.

Dessert wine food pairings

Pairing dessert wines with suitable dishes can elevate the final courses of a meal, creating a harmonious balance of flavors and textures. Here are some excellent food pairing suggestions for various types of dessert wines:

• Chocolate desserts: Pair with Port or Muscat. The rich, bold flavors of these fortified wines complement chocolate's deep, bittersweet notes.
• Fruit-based desserts: Late harvest wines, Sauternes, and Moscato d'Asti are excellent choices, as they complement the fruit flavors and balance the sweetness.
• Crème brûlée and vanilla-flavored desserts: Sauternes, Moscato, or sweet Gewürztraminer pair well, as their subtle sweetness and complex flavors enhance the creamy texture and delicate notes of these desserts.
• Nutty desserts: Tawny Port, Madeira, and Cream Sherry have nutty, caramel-like flavors that pair beautifully with nut-based desserts.
• Cheese-based desserts: Sauternes, late harvest wines, or ice wines make delightful pairings, creating a harmonious balance of sweetness and creaminess.

Remember, the key is to balance sweetness levels, match flavor intensity, and consider the texture of the dessert when selecting a dessert wine. Don't be afraid to experiment and discover new, delightful combinations that suit your palate.

Dessert wine serving suggestions

When serving dessert wines, consider the following tips:

• Serve chilled: Most dessert wines are best served between 45-55°F (7-13°C).
• Use smaller glasses: Dessert wines are typically served in smaller portions, around 2-3 ounces.
• Pair with complementary desserts: Match the wine's sweetness, flavor intensity, and texture with the dessert.