- Photos and information about nine different types of fruity red wine
- Introduction to Wine, as well as Serving Suggestions
- Gallery of Wine Instruction for Beginners
Late Harvest Wines
Late harvest dessert wine is the most popular type of dessert wine. This simply means that the winery will allow the fruit on the vine to overripen (a process known as raisining), causing the sugar level (known as brix) to rise significantly while the juice content decreases significantly. Sometimes, while the grapes are still on the vine, a rot known as Botrytis (also known as the noble rot) can develop, giving the grapes a distinct flavor and character. What’s left are grapes that have been condensed and sweetened.
As a result, high-sugar, low-alcohol wines are produced that have a delectably sweet flavor.
These half-bottles of wine can cost the same as or more than a standard 750 mL bottle of table wine, due to the fact that there is less juice to ferment.
Ports
Port is another dessert wine that people tend to mistake with late harvest, and it is also made in small quantities. Port wine is quite popular and has been around for a very long period of time. Port is a fortified wine, which means it has been infused with a spirit of some type (typically brandy). In spite of the high brix, this results in an alcohol level of around 18 percent. Any type of grape may be used to make port. Historically, real Port wines have been produced in Spain and Portugal from grape varietals indigenous to those countries.
These individuals can live for a very long period and cost a lot of money.
Because it has been reinforced, it will survive far longer after being opened.
Types of Port
Tawny and Ruby Port are the two most common varieties of port. In order to make Tawny Port, the wine is fermented in a barrel and allowed to evaporate before being oxidized in the bottle. This procedure imparts a golden/brown color to the wine as well as a “nutty” flavor to the finished product. Ruby Port is the cheapest and most widely manufactured form of port available on the market. In order to prevent excessive oxidation, the wine is matured for three years in enormous oak vats, which helps to preserve the deep red color and lively, fruity tastes.
Ice Wines
Ice wines are a refreshing pleasure, but they are also expensive. Ice wines are prepared from grapes that have been plucked while still on the vine, usually during the first frosts of fall. The grapes are kept on the vine to ripen and raisin, similar to how late harvest wines are made. After that, the winemaker must wait for a frost to arrive and cover the grapes before harvesting the crop. Germany and Canada are the two countries that manufacture the most Ice Wines. The grapes are then transported back to the winery and crushed as soon as possible.
Because it requires a large number of grapes to produce juice, this wine is quite pricey.
These wines are typically highly sweet and have a syrupy consistency when they are poured. They are referred to as “liquid gold” due to the hue and high cost of these precious metals. Vidal and Riesling are the most commonly utilized grapes in the production of this wine.
Madeira
Madeira, produced in the Portuguese island of Madeira, off the coast of Portugal, has the ability to age as long as fine Port. The wine is subjected to high temperatures for several months in specially constructed structures known as estufas by the winemakers. When the barrels are aged in this manner, the effect is intended to be similar to that of a long sea trip through tropical climes. Madeira was initially unfortified, but the addition of spirits improved the island’s capacity to withstand lengthy sea trips.
Wines that have been matured for 50 to 100 years often taste the finest, and they age well.
Alone or With Dessert?
One common misperception regarding dessert wines is that they must be paired with a sweet dish. While there are some incredible dessert combinations to go with these wines, the wine itself is a terrific dessert in its own right. Wines have subtle nuances and delicate tastes, and eating a sugary, rich dessert may obscure these characteristics. Rather of complicating things, simple pairings work best, such as a cheesecake with a late harvest Sauvignon Blanc, a superb Port with a warm chocolate torte, or Ice Wine with handmade vanilla bean ice cream.
Venture Out!
Dessert wines are a good choice. Many individuals are dismissive of anything sweet and will not even taste them, let alone consume them after supper. When you’re out wine tasting in wine country, inquire as to if they make a sweet wine and give it a try. When you go out to eat at a fancy restaurant, don’t be scared to choose a sweet wine to accompany your meal afterward. Inquire with your server about suggestions. Although the majority of dessert wines are included in this list, there are a variety of other options to explore.
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5 Types of Dessert Wine
Switch up the hefty dessert with something that will make your tastebuds glitter instead. Learn about the five primary varieties of dessert wines, ranging from the delightfully effervescent Moscato d’Asti to the dark and gloomy vintage Port of the world. Dessert wines are supposed to be sipped from tiny glasses and cherished in the same way that a fine Scotch is. Sparkling, light sweet, rich sweet, sweet red and fortified are the five varieties of dessert wines that may be found on the market.
Types of Dessert Wines
- Sweet Red Wine
- Fortified Wine
- Sparkling Dessert Wine
- Lightly Sweet Dessert Wine
- Richly Sweet Dessert Wine
A Guide to Dessert Wines
Sweet wine is made from grapes that are exceptionally sweet! In order to produce sweet wine, the fermentation process must be stopped before the yeast has converted all of the grape sugars to alcohol. To stop fermentations, numerous techniques are available, including super-cooling the wine or adding brandy to the mixture. The end product is a full-bodied wine that has been naturally sweetened with grape sugars. Despite the fact that there are hundreds of different varieties of dessert wines available on the market, the majority of them fall into five broad categories.
There are five different styles described in this tutorial, with examples for each of the styles. Take a look at all five kinds for a comprehensive look at dessert wines.
Sparkling Dessert Wine
Because of the carbonation and strong acidity in sparkling wine, it appears to be less sweet than it actually is! Certain grape types have a more pleasant aroma than others. This deceives our brain into believing that they taste sweeter as well! Consider the difference in sweetness between a Demi-Sec Moscato (or “Semi Secco”) and a Demi-Sec Champagne, despite the fact that they may contain the same quantity of sugar. Pay attention to the following terms on the label of sweet dessert wines, sparkling wines, and other sparkling beverages: Purchase the book and receive the course!
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- Demi-Sec* (which translates as “off-dry” in French)
- Amabile (which translates as “slightly sweet” in Italian)
- Semi Secco* (which translates as “off-dry” in Italian)
- French for “sweet,” Dolce / Dulce (Italian for “sweet,” Spanish for “sweet,” and Moelleux (French for “sweet,” for some French wines)
- Doux (French for “sweet,” Dolce / Dulce (Italian for “sweet,” Spanish for “sweet”)
*Not to be confused with the terms “sec” or “secco,” which are used to describe dryness in both French and Italian.
Lightly-Sweet Dessert Wine
Lightly sweet wines have a delightful sweetness to them, making them ideal for a hot afternoon. Many of these sweet wines go well with spicy dishes such as Indian or Southeast Asian cuisine, which is why they are so popular. Lightly sweet wines are best consumed as soon as possible after the vintage date, with the exception of a few exceptional examples, such as German Riesling, which may be savored for several years after the vintage date. Expect these wines to be bursting with fruit tastes and well-suited for desserts that are fruit-based or vanilla-driven.
Fruit tarts and a Gewürztraminer go together like peanut butter and jelly.
- Gewürztraminer Alsace, Alto-Adige (Italy), California, and New Zealand are all places where you may get this extremely flowery wine with modest alcohol content: Riesling Available in both dry styles (which are popular in Australia, Alsace, and the United States) and sweeter styles (which are more usually found in Germany). A wine with a high level of natural acidity, which helps to cut through the sweetness of the flavor
- Müller-Thurgau A less common type, also from Germany, that may be found in some regions of Oregon and has flowery scents and a little softer acidity than the other varieties. Porch wine is a classic and is especially good with sausages. Chenin Blanc is a white wine produced in France. When it comes to Chenin Blanc, a sweeter flavor is more frequent in the United States, although it is also produced in significant quantities in South Africa and France’s Loire Valley region. When purchasing Chenin Blanc, pay close attention to the label because many South African and French producers produce dry versions that taste more like a dry Sauvignon Blanc
- When purchasing Viognier, pay close attention to the label because many South African and French producers create dry versions that taste more like a dry Sauvignon Blanc
- The majority of the time, viognier is not sweet. However, because it is an aromatic grape type, you might occasionally encounter it in a fruit-driven style that smells like peaches and perfume. It has a thick, oily texture on the palate. This kind of Viognier may be found exclusively in Condrieu AOP (Rhône Valley) in France
- It is also known as “Condrieu Blanc.”
Richly Sweet Dessert Wine
With the best quality fruits and in an unfortified manner, these richly sweet wines are produced. Sugar and acidity allow many of these wines to retain their fresh flavor even after 50 years or more in the bottle. For example, the HungarianTokaji (pronounced “toe-kye”) was a favorite of the Tzars of Russia, while South African Constantia was a favorite of both the Dutch and the English. The FrenchSauternes was a favorite of Americans in the early 1800’s and is still popular today. There are numerous methods for producing highly sweet dessert wines, and you may gain a better understanding of them by looking at how they are prepared.
Late Harvest
Late harvest refers to precisely what it says on the tin. With each additional day that grapes are allowed to hang on the vine, they get progressively sweeter and more raisinated, culminating in grapes with concentrated sweetness. “Vendage Tardive” is the term used in Alsace to describe late harvest, whereas “Spätlese” is used in Germany to describe late harvest. Late harvest wines can be made from any grape that has been left on the vine. Having said that, late-harvest wines made from Chenin Blanc, Sémillon, and Riesling grapes are becoming increasingly popular.
Noble Rot
Noble rot is caused by a kind of spore known as Botrytis cinerea, which feeds on fruits and vegetables.
Noble rot, despite the fact that it sounds (and seems) awful, imparts distinct notes of ginger, saffron, and honey to sweet wines. There are several different varieties of dessert wines derived from noble rot grapes that are widely available.
- Sauternais Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc are blended together in Sauternes, Barsac, Cadillac, and Monbazillac to produce a rich, golden-hued sweet wine. A collection of French Appellations in and around Bordeaux, including Sauternes, Barsac, Cadillac, and Monbazillac
- Tokaji Tokaji Asz is a Hungarian wine created from Furmint grapes
- Auslese, BA, and TBA Riesling (BA = Beerenauslese, TBA = Trockenbeerenauslese)
- And Auslese, BA, and TBA Riesling (BA = Beerenauslese, TBA = Trockenbeerenauslese). Auslese is the first level of the German Pradikat system (a sweetness labeling system), and it has a larger proportion of botrytis-affected grapes than any other level. In addition to being sweeter than German Rieslings from the “QbA” and “Kabinett” varieties, they often have a greater alcohol content.
Straw Mat
The grapes are put out on straw mats to raisinate prior to being used in the winemaking process (also known as “Passito”).
- Italian Vin Santo is prepared from the grapes Trebbiano and Malvasia and has a rich, nutty taste that is similar to that of dates. It is possible to find various different types of Vin Santo produced throughout Italy. ‘Passito’ in Italian means ‘passion’. Another straw wine created from a variety of grapes, both white and red, this time with a fruity flavor. For example, Passito di Pantelleriais a Muscat-based wine, whereas Caluso Passitois a Piedmont-based wine created with the uncommon grapeErbaluce. Greek Straw Wines are made from grapes harvested in Greece. Vinsanto, created from high-acid white Assyrtiko grapes, is another type of wine produced in Greece. It is believed that Samos was the first sweet wine manufactured from Muscat grapes, while Commandaria was the first sweet wine made from grapes in Cyprus, dating back to 800 BCE. Strohwein (German: Strohwein/Austrian: Schilfwein) is a kind of wine produced in Germany and Austria. Schilfweins are sweet wines made from Muscat and Zweigelt grapes in Austria and Germany that are becoming increasingly rare. Vin de Paille is a French term for wine made from grapes. These Vin de Paille are produced mostly in the Jura area of France, which is next to the Alps, and are made from Chardonnay and old Savagnin grapes
- They are particularly well-known in the United States.
Ice Wine (Eiswein)
True ice wine is incredibly difficult to come by and extremely costly for two reasons. For starters, it only happens in outlandish years when a vineyard freezes. And two, ice wine must be collected and pressed while the grapes are still frozen to ensure proper fermentation. The country of Canada is the world’s largest producer of ice wine. Ice wines are most commonly found in colder climates such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The majority of ice wines are created from Riesling or Vidal grapes, however any kind of grape, including Cabernet Franc, can be used to make an ice wine.
Sweet Red Wine
Sweet reds are in decline, with the exception of commercially produced sweet reds. It’s still possible to get some excellent sweet reds that are historically fascinating and worth tasting. The bulk of these incredible sweet red wines come from Italy, where they are made from obscure grape varieties.
- Lambrusco A area known for producing a delightful sparkling wine that can be enjoyed both dry and sweet. Because it is a sparkling wine, it will have a yeasty undertone, as well as notes of raspberry and blueberry in the background. “Amabile” and “Dulce” are the names given to the sweet variants. Brachetto d’Acqui (Acquisition Brachetto) A red or rosé wine made from Brachetto grapes grown in the Piedmont area that is both still and bubbling. Famous for its flowery and strawberry scents, as well as its love for matching with cured meats, this wine is a favorite of foodies everywhere. Schiava A uncommon cultivar from the Alto-Adige region that is on the verge of extinction. A delicious scent of raspberry and cotton candy, with a refreshing, somewhat sweet taste that isn’t overpowering
- Freisa Frieda, once considered one of the great red varietals of Piedmont, is a relative of Nebbiolo, but with softer tannins and flowery cherry aromas rather than the latter. Recioto della Valpolicella (Valpolicella Recioto) Recioto della Valpolicella is a luscious, robust, and rich wine that is produced using the same meticulous procedure as Amarone wine. Late-Harvest Red Wines are a specialty of the region. There are several red dessert wines available in the United States, created from grapes such as Zinfandel, Mourvedre, Malbec, and Petite Sirah, among others. With their intense sweetness and high alcohol concentration, these wines are a feast for the senses.
Fortified Wine
Fortified wines are produced by adding grape brandy to a wine, and they can be either dry or sweet in flavor. Most fortified wines have a higher alcohol level (often 17-20 percent ABV) and have a longer shelf life once they have been opened than other types of wines.
Port
Port wine is produced in the northern region of Portugal, along the banks of the Douro. These extremely uncommon sweet red wines are prepared from a variety of classic Portuguese grapes, including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz, among others. After being harvested and placed in open tanks, the grapes are stomped daily as the wine begins to mature, which results in a more concentrated flavor. When the wine is filtered and combined with pure grape spirit (with an ABV of approximately 70%), the fermentation is stopped and the wine is fortified, this is done at a certain stage throughout the fermentation.
- Roughed-up RubyCrusted Port (sweet) Introducing Tawny Port, a kind of Port wine that has the aroma and flavor of newly minted port and is far less sweet than its counterpart. VintageLBV Port (VintageLBV Port) (sweet) Despite the fact that LBV and Vintage Port are produced in the same manner, LBV are intended to be consumed in their youth (owing to the sort of cork enclosure used) and vintage Ports are intended to be consumed after 20-50 years of ageing. Tawny Port is a port wine produced by the Tawny Port Company (very sweet) Tawny Port is aged in big oak casks and smaller wooden barrels at the winery, where the wine is produced. The longer the Tawny Port is let to age, the more nutty and figgy it becomes in flavor. The finest tawny is between 30 and 40 years old. wine made in the style of port sa.k.a. Vin Doux Naturel (Natural Wine) (sweet) Although port can only be produced in Portugal, numerous producers across the world produce port-style wines, such as Zinfandel ‘Port’ or Pinot Noir ‘Port’, which are similar to port. These wines are referred to as vin doux naturel (natural sweet wine) (see below).
Sherry
Sherry is produced in the Spanish region of Andalusia. Palomino, Pedro Ximénez (a grape, not a person), and Moscatel grapes are used in the production of the wines. Wines are made from varied proportions of the three grapes and are intentionally oxidized in order to generate nutty aromatics in the final product.
- Fino(dry) The lightest and driest of all the Sherries, with acidic and nutty notes
- The most popular of all the Sherries. Manzanilla(dry) In a more specialized location, Fino Sherry is produced in a distinct style that is even lighter in color than Fino. Palo Cortado (Corked Palo Cortado) (dry) A significantly richer kind of sherry that has been matured for a longer period of time, resulting in a deeper color and a fuller taste. This type of wine is normally dry, although it will include fruit and nut aromas due to the saline in the air. Amontillado is a kind of tequila (mostly dry) An old sherry that develops nutty notes reminiscent of peanut butter and butterscotch
- Oloroso(dry) Because of the evaporation of water as the wine matures, this sherry has a greater alcohol concentration than other sherries of the same age. In comparison to Sherry, this is more like scotch. Cream Sherry is a kind of sherry that is made using cream and sherry (sweet) When Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry are blended, the result is a sweet kind of Sherry. Moscatel(sweet) The tastes of fig and date are prominent in this sweet sherry. Pedro Ximénez (PX) is a Venezuelan politician (very sweet) It’s a really sweet sherry with notes of brown sugar and figs in it.
Madeira
Madeira is a type of wine produced on the island of Madeira, which is located in the center of the Atlantic Ocean, utilizing up to four distinct grape varieties. Madeira is distinct from other wines in that it is produced through a process that includes heating and oxidation – processes that would normally “ruin” a wine in the traditional sense. The end product is a full-bodied fortified wine with notes reminiscent of walnuts, saltiness, and an oiliness on the tongue.
Because of the four distinct grapes that are utilized, Madeira wines range from dry to sweet, making them a great choice to serve with a meal or even as a pre-dinner drink before supper. More information on Madeira may be found here.
- RainwaterMadeira When a label just states “Madeira” or “Rainwater,” presume that it is a combination of all four grapes and that it is somewhere in the center of the sweetness spectrum. Sercial(dry) Sercial is the driest and lightest of all the grapes grown in Madeira, and it is also the most expensive. Typically, these wines will have greater acidity and be more dry, with hints of peaches and apricot in the bouquet. It is fairly rare to find Sercial Madeira that has been aged for more than 100 years. Verdelho(dry) When let to age, Verdelho will acquire nutty flavors of almond and walnut that will complement the citrus notes. Bual(sweet) It has a sweet flavor profile, with flavors of burned caramel, brown sugar, fig, rootbeer, and black walnut in the background. Although there are numerous well-aged 50-70-year-old Bual Madeira available, it is typical to find 10-year-old’medium’ (meaning: medium sweet) Bual Madeira. Malmsey(sweet) Malmsey Madeiras include orange citrus overtones and caramel to their taste, in addition to the oily oxidized nutty flavor that is characteristic of the region.
Vin Doux Naturel (VDN)
Vin Doux Naturel is produced in a similar manner as Port, with a base wine being produced and a neutral grape brandy being added at the end. The word vin doux naturel is derived from France, however this designation may be used to any wine from any country.
- VDN is made from Grenache grapes. For example, Maury, Rasteau, and Banyuls from the Languedoc-Roussillon region are typical of the southern region of France. Muscat-based VDN Muscat de Rivesaltes, Muscat de Frotignan, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise, Ruthernglen Muscat (Australia), Orange Muscat, and Vin Santo Liquoroso (Italy)
- Muscat-based VDN Muscat de Rivesaltes, Muscat de Frotignan, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise, Ruthernglen Muscat (Australia), Orange Muscat, and Vin Santo Liquoros VDN is based in Malvasia. Malvasia delle Lipari Liquoroso, for example, is mostly from Italy and Sicily. Mavrodaphni (Greek for “sweet red wine”) is a sweet red wine produced in Greece that has many characteristics to Port.
How Sweet It Is: A Guide to Dessert Wine
VDN is made from Grenache. For example, Maury, Rasteau, and Banyuls from the Languedoc-Roussillon region are typical of the southern region of France; Vin Santo Liquoroso (Italy), Muscat de Rivesaltes (VDN), Muscat de Frotignan (VDN), Muscat de Beaumes de Venise (VDN), Ruthernglen Muscat (Australia), Orange Muscat (Australia), Muscat de Rivesaltes (VDN), Muscat de Beaumes de Venise (VDN), Muscat de Beaumes de Venise (VDN), Muscat de Beaumes de Venise (VDN VDN is headquartered in Malvasia.
Mainly Italian and Sicilian varietals, including Malvasia delle Lipari Liquoroso.
Dessert Wine Basics
It should come as no surprise that all dessert wines begin with grapes that have a high concentration of natural sugar. When that natural sugar is transformed into alcohol during the fermentation process, the wine is referred to be “dry.” Wines that have had all of the natural sugar fermented out of them are referred to as “sweet.” In the case of dessert wines, winemakers halt the fermentation process early in order to preserve the natural sweetness. Depending on the grape variety, dessert wines can range from a little hint of sweetness to a full-on sugar-bomb in terms of sweetness.
Sparkling Dessert Wine
If you’re looking for something light, sweet, and delicate, sparkling dessert wines are the way to go. The bubbles in these wines, which are light, effervescent, and often low in alcohol, make them joyful and enjoyable to drink at any time of day. Look for sweet sparkling wines derived from grapes such as muscat, brachetto, riesling, or torrontes. When served with fresh fruit desserts such as an Orange and Yogurt Tart or a simple Fruit Platter with Whipped Ricotta, these wines are perfect for brunch.
Concentrated, Rich Dessert Wine
There are a few of different techniques for creating these exceptionally rich wines. Prior to crushing the grapes, procedures are performed to concentrate the sugar content of the grapes using any of the several ways. One method is to create a late-harvest wine, which involves keeping the grapes on the vine for as long as possible into the growing season in order to get maximum sugar levels, sometimes even until the first frost has arrived (known as ice wine). It is also possible to make wine using the passito process, in which grapes are dried on straw mats, resulting in delicious raisins that are then fermented into wine.
Toutes of these exquisite dessert wines have an opulent, thick texture with complex aromas of honey, marmalade, and spices to complement them.
Dried Dates and Blue Cheese or Blue Cheese Gougeres with Caramel and Salt are two traditional pairings that you should try out.
Fortified wines are typically between 18 and 20 percent alcohol by volume, making them ideal for keeping warm throughout the harsh winter months.
Port
Ruby port, which has more dark, rich fruit to it and is a popular combination with chocolate truffles, whereas tawny port, which has more butterscotch, caramel, and nutty overtones, is a more recent addition to the family of port varieties. Try pairing a tawny port with a cheese plate for an after-dinner feast that will be remembered!
Sherry
Sherry is a fortified wine produced in the Spanish region of Andaluca, on the country’s southern coast. The first crucial thing to know about sherry is that it ranges from bone-dry and delicate to crazily rich and syrupy, depending on the variety. For dessert, search for sherries in the following three types: cream, moscatel, and Pedro Ximenez. While dry varieties like as fino and Amontillado are popular as aperitifs and are making a reappearance on bar menus as the foundation for cocktails, dessert sherries should be sweet (PX).
PX sherry may be served over ice cream, and cream style sherries pair well with custard-based sweets such as flan or crème caramel, which are both popular in Spain.
Madeira
Madeira is a fortified wine that was called for the island where it was produced, which is approximately four hundred kilometers off the coast of North Africa. From the fifteenth through the seventeenth century, the island of Madeira served as a port of call for ships sailing to the New World and the East Indian Ocean. The early Madeiras were produced as a wine that could withstand travel: brandy was frequently added to the barrels to keep the wine from deteriorating during the journey. The tremendous heat from travelling around the equator, along with the continual movement of the ships, resulted in the wine becoming organically concentrated and oxidized.
The fact that Madeira has previously been effectively “cooked” means that it is famed for never spoiling: there is Madeira from the late 18th century that is still wonderfully palatable today.
How Do Dessert Wines Get So Sweet?
Have you ever been curious about how dessert wines get sweet? One may easily envisage a group of winemakers just opening up large vats and pouring in powdered sugar to get this result. The fact that bran flakes are acceptable during the prepubescent years is testament to this.) In addition, while certain liquors have been shown to contain signs of sugar being added, dessert wines are made sweet by a number of procedures. They also get more costly as a result of a number of processes. Due to the basic notion of dehydration—which means that you receive less juice per grape and it takes a lot more to fill a bottle—most dessert wines are sold in half-liter or 375-milliliter bottles.
And don’t allow the “sweetness” element frighten you away from trying it.
Dessert wines are often made from grapes that are highly fragrant and strong in acidity in order to achieve a balance with the sweetness, as well as concentrated complexity. And then there’s Noble Rot, which just adds a pleasantly weird tang to everything it touches.
Fortification
As far as sweet wines go, this is a rather straightforward one to learn how to make. Takeport. Port is fermented in the same way that other wines are, by enabling yeasts to feed on sugar and convert it to alcohol. However, in cases when grapes like as Cabernet Sauvignon do this to the point of producing a much drier wine, the fermentation of port is actually stopped—as in, brought to a screaming halt—by the addition of a neutral spirit to the mix. This is referred to as fortification. (As a result, fortified wines are produced.) It has two key impacts on wine: it increases the alcohol concentration of the wine (which is why port is served in those cute little cups) and it prevents fermentation, which means there will be residual sugar.
Don’t let a drop pass you by!
Noble Rot
If you’ve never had the pleasure of sipping a wine that has been infected by Noble Rot (a fancy name for Botrytis cinerea), chances are you’ve heard of the disease. It’s essentially simply a mold that raisinates the grapes, drying them up and concentrating their sugars as a result of the process. In addition to increasing sweetness, Noble Rot also increases flavor concentration. As a result, wines such as Sauternes, Tokaji Azu (from Hungary), and Spätlese Riesling, which are intensely fragrant and powerful due to dehydration, are produced in small quantities by Noble Rot.
Ice Wine
By this time, you’ve probably seen the pattern: it all boils down to lowering the quantity of water in the grapes that are picked. And the ice wineprocess is a pretty interesting method of accomplishing this. Yes, there is also a freezing one. The concept is to leave the grapes (which are generally strong in aromatic compounds and moderately acidic) on the vine throughout the winter. By plucking them at at the right time—and this is a critically essential choice on the side of the vintners—enough of the water is still frozen, resulting in concentrated sweetness and aromatics when they are pressed.
Late Harvest
Similar to the ice wine technique, but less severe, this is merely the procedure of delaying harvest (again, of a specific and frequently strongly flavored fruit) in order to enable the grape to shrivel and concentrate sugars and aromatics. As a result, every ice wine is officially (and extremely) “late harvest,” albeit not all late harvest wine is ice wine, and vice versa. Riesling (again, Spätlese, which literally translates as “late harvest”), as well as Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, are popular late harvest varietals.
Sweet Wine and Dessert Wine
Sweet wines are wines that have been sweetened with sugar to give them a sweet flavor. These wines can range from being only slightly sweet with a hint of sweetness to being quite sweet with a lot of residual sugar. Dessert wines are often believed to be the sweetest wines available since they are typically consumed after dinner or with a dessert course, as the case may be. Various table wines, such as some German and Austrian wines (especially the Kabinett, Spätlese, and Auslese wines) and Vouvray from the Loire Valley, are just mildly sweet, while others are quite sweet (particularly the Demi-Secs).
Many different types and styles of sweet wine are produced from a variety of grape varieties and growing areas, as well as through a variety of production processes.
Dessert wines, in general, may be kept for a lengthy period of time. If kept in a cold cellar for a long period of time, wines such as Port, Madeira, and Sauternes may readily age for 50 years or more!
How Are They Made?
A typical wine grape ferments to the point where all of the sugar is turned to alcohol, which is the normal outcome. This results in a dry wine that contains no residual sugar in the end product. Although there are other techniques for producing a finished wine that maintains a considerable quantity of sugar and is hence sweet, the following are the most common: Wines from the Late Harvest: Some sweet wines are created from grapes that are merely picked at a later date than the others. This causes the grapes to get more mature on the vine, resulting in a higher concentration of sugar in the grapes.
- They ferment to a certain degree and then become inactive due to the high concentration of alcohol.
- It is a fungus known as Botrytis cinerea that develops on the skin of several grape varieties.
- Noble Rot has been given this name because it is so essential and because it can contribute to the production of some of the most magnificent dessert wines on the planet.
- Sugars and tastes are concentrated as a consequence, and the resultant grapes are extremely concentrated and potent as a result.
There are many regions that use this technique to produce excellent dessert wines, the most famous of which are Sauternes, Vouvray Moelleux, German Rieslings (particularly in Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese), Hungarian Tokaji Aszu, and Alsation Sélection de Grains Nobles (which means “Selection of Noble Grains”).
- Fortified Wine: Some wines, such as Port, Madeira, Sherry, and Banyuls, are referred to as fortified wines because they have been fortified with a grape spirit (brandy) in order to stop the fermentation process before it is completed.
- It goes without saying that depending on when the spirit is introduced, the wine might be either drier or sweeter.
- In addition to halting the fermentation process, this fortification with alcohol aids in the preservation of these wines, with many of them being able to age for decades or more in a properly-maintained cellar.
- These, on the other hand, do not employ alcohol to prevent the yeast from fermenting.
- They can then be matured and bottled with residual sugar to create a more complex product.
- Wines produced by this method often have lower alcohol levels than wines produced by traditional methods, with typical German Rieslings typically ranging from 7 to 9 percent alcohol by volume.
- It is a special style of sweet wine that is produced in some northern wine-producing regions where it gets very cold during the fall and winter.
- The grapes are then plucked and pressed in a short period of time.
The ice crystals are removed using filtration. A concentrated juice with a high concentration of sugar and taste is left behind as a byproduct. The juice is subsequently fermented, although the wines are often highly sweet because of the high sugar content.
What Do They Taste Like and What Foods Do You Eat with Them?
It is normal for all of the sugar present in a typical wine grape to be converted to alcohol when allowed to ferment fully. There will be no residual sugar in the final wine as a result of this procedure. It is possible, however, to produce an end product with a considerable quantity of sugar retained and hence sweet by using a variety of techniques: Vintage Wines from the End of the Harvest: The grapes for certain sweet wines are simply picked later in the season. Because of this, the grapes are allowed to get more mature on the vine, increasing their sugar content.
- As a result of the high alcohol content, they ferment until they become inert.
- It is a fungus known as Botrytis cinerea that develops on the skin of various grape fruits, such as the grapefruit.
- Noble Rot has been given this name because it is so essential and because it may contribute to the production of some of the most gorgeous dessert wines in the world.
- Sugars and tastes are concentrated as a consequence, and the resultant grapes are extremely concentrated and potent.
- It is used by several areas to produce great dessert wines, the most notable of which being Sauternes, Vouvray Moelleux, German Rieslings (especially in Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese), Hungarian Tokaji Aszu, and Alsation Sélection de Grains Nobles (Sélection de Grains Nobles).
- A fortified wine is a wine that has been fortified with a grape spirit (brandy) to stop the fermentation process before it is completed.
- It has the effect of preventing the yeast from fermenting, and whatever sugar is left in the wine at that time remains in the resultant wine as a result of the high alcohol content added.
These wines are also frequently higher in alcohol than a standard wine, with an alcohol content ranging from 17 to 20 percent.
In some cases, such as fortified wine, it is necessary to halt fermentation in order to make a particular wine.
A typical method for stopping them is by lowering temperatures, which puts the yeast to sleep (either naturally in winter or artificially in the summer).
There are several German and Austrian wines that exhibit this characteristic.
A special style of sweet wine known as Ice Wine (originallyEisweinin Germany) is produced in some northern wine-producing regions where the weather is extremely cold in the fall and winter.
The grapes are allowed to actually freeze on the vine in order to produce this sort of red wine.
The ice crystals are removed by a filtering process. A concentrated juice with a high concentration of sugar and taste is left behind as a result of this process. After that, the juice is fermented, however the wines are often highly sweet due to the high sugar content in the juice.
What is a Dessert Wine?
A normal wine grape ferments to the point when all of the sugar is turned to alcohol. This results in a dry wine that has no residual sugar in the end product. Although there are other techniques for producing a finished wine that maintains a considerable quantity of sugar and is consequently sweet, the most common are as follows: Spätere Ernte (Late Harvest): The grapes for some sweet wines are simply picked at a later date. This causes the grapes to get more mature on the vine, resulting in a higher level of sugar in the grapes.
- They ferment to a certain degree and then become inactive due to the high alcohol content.
- In the case of Botrytis cinerea, this is a fungus that develops on the skins of some grapes.
- Noble Rot has been given this name because it is so essential and may contribute to the production of some of the most magnificent dessert wines on the planet.
- As a result, the sugars and tastes are concentrated, resulting in grapes that are extremely concentrated and potent.
- There are several areas that apply this procedure to produce superb dessert wines, the most notable of which being Sauternes, Vouvray Moelleux, German Rieslings (especially in Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese), Hungarian Tokaji Aszu, and Alsation Sélection de Grains Nobles.
- A fortified wine is a wine that has been fortified with a grape spirit (brandy) to stop the fermentation process before it is completed.
- It has the effect of preventing the yeast from fermenting, and whatever sugar is left in the wine at that stage is retained in the finished wine.
It also indicates that these wines often contain more alcohol than a standard wine, with alcohol levels typically ranging from 17 to 20 percent.
Stopping Fermentation: Some wines, such as fortified wine, are made by interrupting the fermentation process.
A typical method for stopping them is by lowering temperatures, which puts the yeast to sleep (either naturally in winter or artificially in other seasons).
The same may be said for many German and Austrian wines.
A special style of sweet wine known as Ice Wine (originallyEisweinin Germany) is produced in some northern wine-producing regions where the weather is extremely cold in the fall and winter.
The grapes used in this variety of wine are allowed to virtually freeze on the vine!
The grapes are then plucked and pressed as rapidly as possible. The ice crystals are removed by the filtering process. This results in a concentrated juice that is extremely sweet and flavorful. The juice is subsequently fermented, however the wines produced are often exceedingly sweet.
What Is The Difference Between Dessert Wine and Table Wine?
Is it just us, or does the word “table wine” sound very uninteresting when contrasted to the name “dessert wine”? It’s like your younger sister gets a very interesting name, and you’re named after your great-grandmother, who had the most popular name in her generation at the time. Table wines are also referred to as ‘dry wines’ since they do not include a significant amount of residual sugar in the final product. They are almost the polar opposite of dessert wines in that they are not sweet since they do not include the huge amounts of sugar found in dessert wines.
Is It Sweet?
Sammi, please step aside. Dessert wine, my darling, is the nicest b*tch you’ll ever meet! Dessert wines are intended to be sweet, which is why they are called dessert wines. The purpose of dessert wines is to be even sweeter than the dessert they accompany because if they weren’t, the wine would taste harsh after you had a mouthful of the dessert you’re accompanying. There are a variety of ways for ensuring the sweetness of dessert wines as they are being made. Keep in mind that the fermentation of sugar results in the production of alcohol in all winemaking processes.
It is referred to as chaptalization when sugar is introduced before fermentation, and it is referred to as Sussreserve when sugar is added after fermentation.
What Does It Taste Like?
Dessert wines, to put it simply, taste like dessert. Dessert wines may have a wide range of flavors, especially when it comes to the many sorts available to consumers. However, the following is a broad description of the flavors associated with each dessert wine. Dessert Wine with a Splash of Sparkling: This type of wine is zippy and light, with delicious notes of fresh apple, lime, and lemon zest, and it has a greater acidity than some of the others. Fruity dessert wine with a light sweetness: As we previously mentioned, this wine has a light sweetness to it and is bursting with fruit notes.
- These are excellent with sweets such as Crème Brûlée.
- Late harvest dessert wines with rich scents of dried pear, vanilla, and orange are made with a lot of sugar and are quite sweet.
- Known for being very sweet, Noble Rot wines, another means of producing lavishly sweet dessert wine, are another method of producing richly sweet dessert wine.
- Some of these reds should even be served cold for optimal pleasure, and they are renowned to have a fruity flavor that is recognizable to wine drinkers.
It is via the fortification process that we have received such treasures as port wine from Portugal, which frequently includes tastes of dried fruits like apricot. In general, all of these varieties of wine have a particular sweetness to them, and they are frequently used to flavor other drinks.
A Personal Guide to the Amazing World of Dessert Wines
Dessert wines, also known as pudding wines in some parts of the world, are sweet wines that are served with dessert. Determining what they are can be difficult since they are difficult to describe. In order to be classified as a dessert wine in the United States, a wine’s alcohol content must be greater than 14 percent by volume. However, many fortified wines include even higher amounts of alcohol than 14 percent – and then there are German dessert wines, which contain alcohol levels that are almost half of these levels.
How are Dessert Wines produced?
Dessert wines, also known as pudding wines in some parts of the world, are sweet wines that are served with desserts. Determining what they are may be difficult because they are so diverse in style. In order to be classified as a dessert wine in the United States, a wine must have more than 14 percent alcohol by volume. While many fortified wines have more alcohol than 14 percent by volume, there are other German dessert wines that feature alcohol levels that are almost half of these figures.
Styles of Dessert Wines
Dessert wines are classified into five categories:
Sparkling Dessert Wine
Demi-Sec, Amabile, Semi Secco, Doux, Dolce / Dulce, and Moelleux are some of the most popular sparkling dessert wines, with Demi-Sec being the most popular.
Lightly Sweet Dessert Wine
Gewürztraminer, Müller-Thurgau, Viognier, Chenin Blanc, and, of course, the well-known Riesling are among the varieties that make up the superb gently sweet dessert wines list.
Richly Sweet Dessert Wine
They are prepared solely from the highest-quality grapes and have a shelf life of 50 years or more. For example, the Hungarian Tokaji, the French Sauternes, the South African Constantia, and others are among the greatest wines available.
Sweet Red Wine
The majority of sweet red wines are produced in Italy and are typically derived from obscure grape varietals. Lambrusco, Brachetto d’Acqui, Schiava, Recioto Della Valpolicella, and Freisa are some of the top wines produced in the region.
Fortified Wine
Their alcohol content is often more than 17 percent, and they have a lengthy shelf life. Port (including RubyCrusted Port, Tawny Port, VintageLBV Port, and Vin Doux Naturel), Madeira (including Verdelho, Malmsey, Bual, and Sercial), and Sherry (including Pedro Ximénez, Moscatel, Cream Sherry, Oloroso, and Amontillado) are some of the most notable fortified wines that also happen to fall into the dessert wine category.
Serving Dessert Wines
The basic guideline is that the wine should not be sweeter than the dessert that it is served with, unless otherwise specified. Consider, for example, that a perfectly ripe peach is the optimum food pairing for most dessert wines, according to several sommeliers. Desserts with toffee or chocolate bases are best served without alcohol unless otherwise specified. However, if your visitors insist on drinking wine, you should choose a fortified wine or even a red dessert wine such as Recioto Della Valpolicella to satisfy their desires.
- Dessert wine and a piece of cake ” In both cases, the data-medium-file attribute is set to 1 and the data-large-file attribute is set to 1.
- In the case of the chocolate toffee cake seen above, fortified wine, such as the Port presented, would be appropriate.
- Baked goods and sweet dessert wines are frequently a delicious pairing.
- To really appreciate why they go together, dunk the bitter biscuit into the wine.
The majority of dessert wines are even suitable for serving chilled. Red dessert wines, on the other hand, are an exception to this rule, since they must be served at room temperature or somewhat cooler than the normal ambient temperature.
Dessert Wine
Dessert Wine with a Sweet Taste
A Brief Explanation
Dessert Wine with a Sweet Flavour.
Sparkling Dessert Wine
These sorts of wines tend to have a less sweeter flavor when compared to other dessert wines, which can be attributed to the carbonation and strong acidity in sparkling wine. To add insult to injury, certain grape kinds smell sweeter than others, leading us to believe that some grape varieties taste sweeter than others. Consider the difference in sweetness between a Demi-Sec Moscato (or “Semi Secco”) and a Demi-Sec Champagne, despite the fact that they may contain the same quantity of sugar. Pay attention to the following terms on the label of sweet dessert wines, sparkling wines, and other sparkling beverages:
- Demi-Sec* (which translates as “off-dry” in French)
- Amabile (which translates as “slightly sweet” in Italian)
- Semi Secco* (which translates as “off-dry” in Italian)
- French for “sweet,” Dolce / Dulce (Italian for “sweet,” Spanish for “sweet,” and Moelleux (French for “sweet,” for some French wines)
- Doux (French for “sweet,” Dolce / Dulce (Italian for “sweet,” Spanish for “sweet”)
*Not to be confused with the terms “sec” or “secco,” which are used to describe dryness in both French and Italian.
Lightly-Sweet Dessert Wine
Light sweet wines, as the name indicates, are light and deliciously sweet, making them ideal for drinking on hot summer days. The only other thing to mention is that these sorts of dessert wines go nicely with spicy cuisines such as Indian or Southeast Asian cuisine. We recommend that you drink mildly sweet wines as near as possible to the vintage date to get the most out of them. With the exception of select varieties, such as German Riesling, which matures very well. When it comes to flavor, these wines have powerful fruit notes and are well-suited for desserts that are fruit-based or vanilla-based in nature.
Fruit tarts and a Gewürztraminer go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Richly Sweet Dessert Wine
Dessert wines of this sort are created from the highest-quality grapes in an unfortified manner, and they are served chilled. Additionally, because of the richness and acidity of these wines, many of them may be aged for more than 50 years while still maintaining their fresh flavor. Some of these wines have played significant roles in the course of history, such as the HungarianTokaji (pronounced “toe-kye”), which was a favorite of the Tzars of Russia; the South AfricanConstantia, which became the obsession of the Dutch and English; and the FrenchSauternes, which was popular among Americans during the early 1800s.
Sweet Red Wine
Sweet reds, with the exception of those produced in large quantities for commercial purposes, are becoming less popular. Fortunately, there are still some well-made, historically intriguing sweet red wines available that are definitely worth drinking today. The bulk of these sweet red wines that are worth tasting come from Italy and are made from obscure grape varieties.
Fortified Wine
Finally, fortified wine is a sort of wine that can be served as a dessert wine under certain circumstances. This sort of wine is prepared by adding grape brandy to the wine before bottling.
It can have a dry or a sweet flavor depending on the kind. The majority of fortified wines have a greater alcohol concentration (often 17-20 percent ABV) and, as a result, have a longer shelf life once they have been opened.
Dessert Wine: Why It’s Different From Other Wines and How to Pair It
In the minds of many, the word “dessert wine” conjures up images of syrupy concoctions that leave a bitter taste in the mouth. For after all, in today’s health-conscious age of low-sugar wines, keto diets, and carb-free living, who wants to drink a cloyinglysweet wine that may send your insulin levels skyrocketing and leave a sticky feeling on your tongue for hours after you’ve finished your glass? (It’s possible that there are a handful of you out there.) While the increasing popularity of dry wines (that is, wines that are not sweet) might appear to spell the end of sweet wines, this is not necessarily the case.
To that end, please allow us to provide you with some background information about dessert wine and how it differs from other types of wines.
What IsDessert Wine?
Dessert wine may be defined as any wine that is consumed during or after dessert in its broadest meaning. Dessert wine, to be more exact, is often sweet, has a distinct taste, and has a higher alcohol concentration. For example, Port, Madeira, Sherry, and late-harvest wines are all examples of late-harvest wines. Traditionnal dessert wines having an alcohol content of more than 15 percent by volume (ABV). Nonetheless, low-alcoholdessert wines with less than 10% alcohol by volume (ABV) are available, such Muscadet, Moscato d’Asti, and Brachetto d’Acqui.
- In other words, the amount of sugar that is left over after the fermentation process has taken place.
- A variety of methods were used by winemakers to create essert wines.
- It might be created from late-harvest grapes that have been allowed to raisinate and increase in sugar content as a result of being kept on the vine for a longer period of time.
- Alternatively, it may be sweetened by fortification, resulting in the production of fortified wines.
- While most dessert wines are on the sweeter side, there is a wide range of styles available under the category of dessert wines.
To be clear, dessert wines are not merely sweet, one-trick ponies, as you may have previously believed. They are deserving of a lot more recognition than that.
What to Look for inDessert Wine
Dessert wines, as previously said, are available in a variety of sweetness levels and are available in both red and white wines. Enjoying these mouthwatering sippers with dessert or as dessert in and of itself is recommended. Furthermore, it’s important to note that dessert wines are designed to be served in little wine glasses, similar to the way you’d sip on a snifter of whiskey or bourbon. (Although we must admit that we are great supporters of single-serve wine bottles that eliminate the need for a glass entirely.) If you desire a sweet dessert wine, you will get a sweet dessert wine.
Keep an eye out for the following descriptors:
Different Types ofDessert Winesand Food Pairings
On the other hand, if you don’t want a full-on sugar explosion on your tongue, look for wines that have only a hint of sweetness to them instead. Consider the following adjectives when composing your essay:
Port
Despite the fact that it is best known as a sweet red wine, this fortified wine from Portugal is available in a variety of flavors ranging from deep reds to dry white and dry rosé varieties. Chocolate cake, chocolate truffles, and salted caramel desserts are all wonderful pairings for the sweetly complex redtawny port and ruby port. Serve the white or roséport wines with stone fruit, strawberry angel food cake, or lemon meringue pie to complement the flavors of the wine.
Madeira
This fortified wine from Portugal, although best known for its sweet red varieties, comes in a variety of styles, from rich reds to dry white and dry rosé variants. Redtawny port and ruby port, both with a sweet, rich flavor, are good with chocolate cake, chocolate truffles, or salted caramelized almonds. Serve the white or roséport wines with stone fruit, strawberry angel food cake, or lemon meringue pie to complement the flavors of the wines.
Sauternes
Known for its honeyed aromas of apricot, peach, butterscotch, and caramel, this cherished (and frequently expensive)sweet wine from France’s Sauternais area inBordeaux is much sought after. Sauternesis one of the “noble rot wines,” which include TokajiAszu wine from Hungary and SpätleseRieslings from Germany. It is prepared from grapes that have been damaged by the botrytis cinereafungus. (This fungus, which sounds disgusting, increases the sweetness of grapes while also imparting a honeyed flavor and aromatic quality.) Served with fresh and dried fruit, as well as heavier sweets such as crème brulee, cheesecake, and custards, Sauternes is a fantastic dessert option.
Sherry
This fortified wine comes from the country of Spain. Sherry is often served as an aperitif before a meal; however, why not try it after a hearty dinner when you’re looking to wind down?
Fruit sweets like Pedro Ximénez are great accompaniments to crème brulee, vanilla ice cream, dark chocolate anything, or just enjoyed on their own as an after dinner treat.
Riesling
This delicious sparkling wine from Germany is available in a variety of sweetness levels. Its inherent acidity helps to cut through the sweetness of the dish, making it a wonderful companion to a cheese course or cheesecake after dinner. Serve a sweeter Spätlese with citrus-based sweets such as lemon pound cake or lemon cream pie if you have a sweeter Spätlese on hand. Pear tarts and sorbet are also delicious desserts that go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Gewürztraminer
Known as “tongue-twisting Gewürztraminer,” this wonderfully scented wine from the Alsace area of France is another another noble rot wine to be discovered! With its lovely floral and lychee overtones, this exquisite white wine pairs perfectly with any dessert that has lychee, pear, or peach as one of the major components, such as ice cream.
Moscato
In addition to being known as Muscat Blanc in its native country of Italy, Moscato is an extremely popular white wine that has built a name for itself owing to the three F’s that best characterize its character: fizzy, fruity, and flowery. This dessert wine is perfect for enjoying on a spring day or a late summer evening. It is also incredibly flexible. You might serve it with poached pears, grilled peaches, fruit tarts, nutty treats such as biscotti, or whatever else you choose.
Ice Wine
Ice wine, also known as Eiswein in German, is a particular sort of wine that is made from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine. Due to the frigid environment required for the production of this dessert wine, it can only be produced in Germany and Canada. (It’s also one of the reasons why it’s a somewhat expensive wine.) Consider matching the red grape type with chocolate desserts and the white grape variety with blue cheeses and cheesecake if you have the choice between the two.
It’s Time for Dessert in a Glass
Following your education on dessert wines, it’s time to put your newfound knowledge to use in a variety of real-world scenarios. Dessert wines, like any other type of wine, are characterized by a wide range of tastes and characteristics. Despite the fact that there are several “rules” associated with wine consumption, the basic line is that you are free to set your own guidelines. Don’t be afraid to experiment with a bottle of dry sparkling Brut or wonderfully crisp rosé to accompany those funfetti cupcakes you just brought out of the oven.
Who knows what will happen?
That’s the beauty of wine: no matter how you enjoy it, it is one of life’s joys that makes everything else a little bit easier to swallow.