Where Can I Buy Dessert Wine On Oahu

Drink Local Guide: Where to Get Locally Made Wine and Mead in Hawai‘i

When you think about Maui, pictures of Haleakala National Park, cream puffs from Komoda Bakery, and strawberry guri guri may come to mind. Wine? That’s not the case. That has been the issue for Maui Wine, a 40-year-old winery that was once known as Tedeschi Winery and is located on the historic ‘Ulupalakua Ranch property. It had to overcome its image as a producer of pineapple wine, which is still its best-selling product, in order to be recognized as a genuine winery with serious wines. MauiWine, the state’s oldest winery, is owned by Joe Hegele, director of sales and marketing for the state’s oldest winery, whose family owns MauiWine.

As one critic put it, “It’s like Anheuser-Busch trying to pass themselves off as artisan.” As part of an extensive rebranding effort that included a name change to MauiWine, the company has focused on expanding its estate-wine portfolio, which currently includes a woodsy grenache as well as a fruit-forward sirah, both grown in the winery’s 23-acre vineyard on the leeward slopes of Mount Haleakala.

Mark Beaman, the winemaker of MauiWine.

A pineapple press, known as the Pine-O-Matic, was purchased by the firm to extract juice for its wines, with any excess juice being sold to Maui Brewing Co.

For the year 2016, MauiWine crushed little less than 1 million pounds of pineapples, the most of which would have gone to waste otherwise.

Hegele describes the product as “zero-waste.” The vineyard at MauiWine grows six varieties of grapes and produces an unexpectedly diverse range of wines, from velvety malbec with undertones of Belgian chocolate and dark cherry to juicy rosé bursting with pink strawberries, nectarines, and Meyer lemon.

The Lokelani, a sparkling wine with flavors of fresh raspberries and orange flower, is a refreshing treat.

“That particular wine has seen the biggest improvement,” says expert sommelier Roberto Viernes.

in Northwestern California, an area that he describes as “under the shadow of the wine-centric Napa Valley.” Beaman previously made award-winning wines for Mendocino Wine Co.

People are looking for something different, intriguing, and exotic, and our product provides them with that possibility.” mauiwine.com

Volcano Winery

With its origins in 1986, this eccentric winery is located on the borders of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park at an elevation of 4,000 feet. It offers a variety of wines produced from estate-grown grapes as well as local fruit and honey, as well as a line of tea. Del Bothof and his wife, Marie, bought the property in 2011 and have lived there ever since. He claims that the guava wine, which is prepared from fruit cultivated on the island, is particularly popular. “They’re different,” he adds of the appeal of fruit-based wines, which include a white wine combined with jaboticaba berries and a red wine blended with apricots.

A small range of more known kinds of wine, such as a pinot noir and a cayuga white, round out the collection of more unusual wines.

While on the way to the park, a tented area is the perfect pitstop for a do-it-yourself picnic.

Mead

M ead seems like something you’d find on the HBO seriesGame of Thrones, and that isn’t too far off the mark. This fermented concoction of honey and water, which is one of the world’s oldest alcoholic beverages (there is evidence of usage dating back to 7,000 BC in what is now central China), was the drink of choice for both the Ancient Greeks and the Norse Vikings throughout history. Mead has a flavor that is between between wine and beer, and its alcohol content ranges between 8 and 20 percent.

1. There was mead anywhere there were bees and honey in the world, and it was especially prevalent throughout Europe.
2. Stephanie Krieger, a former marine researcher and lecturer for the National Tropical Botanical Garden, started brewing mead in her garage in 2000 and has since expanded her operation.
3. As of now, the brand offers six different types of mead, with tastes such as ginger, chocolate and vanilla; chili pepper; mountain apple; starfruit; and creamy pineapple, among others.
4. Paisley Meadery in Honolulu adopts a same technique, utilizing solely local honey from Big Island Bees in Captain Cook on the island of Hawai’i.
5. The Koolau Range is so beautiful that I even trek there and produce my own yeast.” “As a result, every component of production is completely local,” Paisley explains.

In the words of Paisley, “You could drink Krug for a few hundred dollars a bottle, or you could drink mead for a few dollars a bottle, which is inexpensive, made locally, and tastes even better.” nanimoonmead.com,paisleymeadery.com

A Wine Guide to Hawaii, Island by Island

Mead seems like something you’d find on the set of Game of Thrones, and that’s not too far off the mark when it comes to the reality. This fermented blend of honey and water, which is one of the world’s oldest alcoholic beverages (there is evidence of usage dating back to 7,000 BC in what is now central China), was the drink of choice for both the Ancient Greeks and the Norse Vikings, and is still popular today. Wine and beer in terms of taste, mead has an ABV ranging from 8 to 20 percent and tastes somewhere in between.

1. Mead could be found almost anywhere there were bees and honey in the world.
2. It was in her garage that Stephanie Krieger began brewing mead in 2000, after working as a marine researcher and lecturer at the National Tropical Botanical Garden.
3. There are now six types of mead available, with flavors such as ginger, chocolate and vanilla; chili pepper; mountain apple; starfruit; and creamy pineapple.
4. Similarly, Paisley Meadery in Honolulu uses exclusively local honey sourced from Big Island Bees in Captain Cook on Hawai’i Island for its meads.
5. The Koolau Range is my backyard, and I hike there to cultivate my own yeast.
6. For a few hundred dollars a bottle, Paisley recommends Krug, but he also recommends mead, which is more reasonably priced, made locally, and tastes even better, according to Paisley.

Oahu

Hawaii may be remote, but the state’s rich sommelier culture is well reflected on the island of Oahu. Locals come to Pai Honolulu, a hidden gem in downtown’s Harbor Court building, for chef Kevin Lee’s legendary happy hour, which is served Tuesday through Saturday from 5–6 p.m. Expect items like as beef bao buns, buttermilk fried oyster mushrooms, and charcuterie platters that may be customized to your liking. Matt Nelson, a sommelier, will assist you in finding the ideal combination. What is Nelson’s current favorite song?

According to him, “many individuals will have had the opportunity to taste that style of wine or that place, but seldom both at the same time.” ‘It has black fruit and oak on the nose, as well as everything else a Napa Valley Cab drinker seeks for.’ “However, those characteristics do not eclipse the other amazing characteristics of the grape.” Pai’s wine program, on the other hand, has a wide appeal, according to him.

1. “Even if you’re not a wine connoisseur, you’ll still have a terrific day,” adds Nelson.
2. The wine list contains several well-known names, such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux, and so on.
3. “For the other half, we hope to offer wines from the Mediterranean basin, which will highlight indigenous grapevines and family-owned vineyards,” Furuya explains.
4. Furuya frequently walks from table to table, where he imparts wine expertise and tells jokes that are, frankly, awful.
5. In addition to large, well-known brands, “his selection is wide” and “he gets a lot of the tiny one-offs that make it to Hawaii,” adds Lyle Railsback, a wine merchant forKermit Lynch andWine Enthusiast40 Under 40 recipient who supplies some of the restaurant’s products.
6. In addition to manufacturers such as Domaine de Reuilly, Drew Family Winery, and Au Bon Climat Winery, the list also includes a number of other notable names.
7. Fujioka’s Wine Times, located at Market City Shopping Center, is a well-kept secret amongst the residents.
8. Wine tastings and seminars are held on Saturdays on a regular basis.
9. Visitors may learn about the winemaking process, including how it is blended, aged, and fermented.

Guests can also participate in the process by collaborating with Oeno’s employees to design their own wines. Then they may return to their own creation and bottle, cork, and label it after the fermentation process is complete. Steve Czerniak captured this image of Merriman’s lobster meal.

Hawaii (Big Island)

Merriman’s Waimea, the flagship restaurant of Peter Merriman, and one of Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Restaurants of 2019, continues to be a landmark for Hawaiian food and an extensive, award-winning wine list. If you can afford it, try the “wine flight du fortnight,” which is a rotating flight of four themed wines that is well worth the price of admission. Turley Wine Cellars White Coat and Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis DOCG are just a few of examples of the varied choices. The list also includes a broad array of white wine alternatives that are ideal for a hot Hawaiian day in the sun.

• Visitors looking for a bottle to combine with a sunset will be pleasantly surprised by the shop’s competitively priced offerings.
• Inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for adventure and wine.
• Guests will be able to sample eight different wines produced on the 4,000-foot slopes of Mauna Loa.
• Make a pit stop at Holuakoa Gardens, which is located in the artsy town of Holualoa, on your way back to Kona.
• Don’t get too attached to your favorites, though, because the proprietors are always adding new wines to their collection.

Maui

MauiWine is situated on 60 acres of undulating hills in the heart of the Hawaiian countryside. It all started with a collaboration between C. Pardee Erdman, owner of Ulupalakua Ranch, and Emil Tedeschi, who hailed from a family of winemakers in Calistoga, California, to create Ulupalakua Vineyards in 1974. Pineapple wine began as a fluke in the mid-1970s, but it swiftly grew into an instant success story. The pineapple wines available here include Maui Blanc, Maui Splash, and Hula O Maui, a floral, fruity, and zesty sparkling wine with floral, fruity, and zesty notes.

Make a reservation for a private tasting in the ancient prison that used to house Capt.

Test out unusual library releases, previously unseen wines, and limited-edition bottlings that aren’t accessible in the main tasting room.

According to Amanda Hall, the restaurant’s director of communications, marketing, and education, “many visitors are accustomed to sipping their red wine at warmer temperatures back on the mainland, at least warmer than a sommelier may recommend.” In order to prepare the way, we are presenting chilled wines by the glass, such as chilling Schiava and chilled Etna Rosso, to introduce guests to colder reds.

A chilled Bandol rosé or a crisp Alsatian white wine are both excellent choices for an island pour, according to Hall, because a too sweet, syrupy drink in the heat would leave you feeling groggy the next day.

Matteo Mistura, who was born and bred in Liguria, Italy, runs this lovely, off-the-beaten-path café where he serves 60 wines by the glass.

Interesting Italian wines are available at a 20 percent discount every day, and a delectable $8 menu of stuzzichini (snacks) is available every day of the week. Jenn Rice captured this image of La Spezia.

Kauai

Driving up to the North Shore, through Hanalei, leads to a little landing where you may find a variety of delightful eateries. Bar Acuda is a wonderful choice for a romantic evening out. Small wineries from Italy, France, Spain, Oregon, and California are represented on the wine list, with half of the selection available by the glass. Rhône grape types are also highlighted in order to combine with the restaurant’s Provence-inspired meals, according to the restaurant. The menu is intended to highlight wineries who engage in sustainable, organic, or biodynamic farming practices.

Even while the restaurant is well-known for its drinks, the wine list by the glass is the main attraction.

There’s a rolling selection of more than 20 different wines by the glass, as well as a bottle list with more than 100 different brands.

Where to Find the Best Desserts on Oahu

The cooks on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu have mastered the art of creating a variety of delectable sweets. In addition, there’s the traditional Japanese delicacy of mochi, which is a sticky rice doughball that’s sometimes filled with ice cream tastes like green tea, Kona coffee, or plum wine, among others. Make sure to seek for lilikoi (passionfruit), which has a fleshy purple exterior and a soft and sweet inside, as well as guava, which is another typical tropical fruit to come across. Additionally, there’s haupia, which is a coconut milk mixture with a gelatin-like consistency.

• Traditional Hawaiian pudding prepared from taro, coconut milk, and brown sugar that is customarily cooked/steamed for hours in an imu, or subterranean oven, is known as kulolo (taro pudding).
• Banana photo courtesy of @banan These bananas have been transformed into dairy-free frozen yogurt, which is a fantastic concept.
• The popularity of this establishment has resulted in the establishment of many sites, each with somewhat varying hours.
• Open from 9 a.m.
• banan.coPhoto courtesy of @lilihabakery Locals and visitors alike flock to this historic bakery when nothing but freshly baked goods would do.
• Liliha Bakery, on the other hand, is a different story.
• Open from 7 a.m.
• Sunday through Thursday, and from 7 a.m.
• Friday and Saturday.

There are several sites in O’ahu, so choose the one that is nearest to you and have fun. We are open from 11:30am to 9:00pm every day. matchacafe-maiko.com Photo courtesy of @pipelinebakeshop

Pipeline BakeshopCreamery

Everything at Pipeline, including the ice cream, is prepared from scratch on site. Their malasadas are always cooked to order and served hot, and they have a great selection. They also pasteurize their own ice cream base in-house, thus they never offer pre-made ice cream mixes at their establishment. You’ll want to sample a variety of sweets while on the island since they are some of the greatest. During Covid hours, the office is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Orders can be placed in person or online; phone orders are not accepted at this time.

• to 6 p.m.
• to 7 p.m.
• Monday and Tuesday are closed.
• In addition to the “Sunburnt Haole,” which is a lemon glaze donut covered with li hing mui, there’s also a “You’re Killing Me, Smalls,” which is a s’mores doughnut made with chocolate, marshmallow, and graham crackers.
• to 2 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, 6 a.m.
• purvehawaii.com Photo courtesy of @SugarlinaBakeshop Sugarlina is a little off the main route, but if you find yourself in Aiea and are in the mood for cupcakes and macarons, you should definitely stop by.
• to 8 p.m.

Monday and Tuesday are closed.

If you’re not in the mood for cheesecake, try something else.

There’s also an ube roll.

to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m.

ubaehawaii.com Photo courtesy of @WingIceCream It is said that this Chinatown business serves the greatest handmade ice cream on the island, according to some.

Wing Ice Cream Parlor is open from 12pm to 8:30pm on Tuesdays through Thursdays, 12pm to 9:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12pm to 6pm on Sundays within Covid hours.

Amuse Wine Bar – Bar Seating

• Everything at Pipeline, even the ice cream, is created from scratch. There are no pre-made malasadas here
• Everything is cooked to order and served hot. Their ice cream foundation is even pasteurized in-house, which means that they never offer pre-made ice cream mixtures. Some of the greatest sweets on the island can be found here, and you’ll want to sample them all. Closed on Monday and Tuesday during Covid hours. Orders can be placed in person or online
• Phone orders are not available at this time. Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Monday and Tuesday are off days. pipelinebakeshop.com @purvedonutstop contributed this photograph. Purvé has been providing freshly made donuts with a sense of humour since it opened its doors in November 2018. In addition to the “Sunburnt Haole,” which is a lemon glaze donut covered with li hing mui, there’s also a “You’re Killing Me, Smalls,” which is a s’mores doughnut topped with chocolate, marshmallow, and graham crackers. Ink Monday through Thursday 6am to 2pm, Friday through Sunday 6am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday 7am to 2pm, ink Monday through Thursday 6am to 2pm, ink Friday through Sunday 7am to 5pm purvehawaii.com Sugarlina Bakeshop provided the photograph. Sugarlina is a little off the main route, but if you find yourself in Aiea and are in the mood for cupcakes and macarons, you should definitely stop in. It’s open from 3pm to 8pm on Wednesdays through Sundays. Monday and Tuesday are off days. sugarlina.com @ubaehawaii provided the photograph. For the second year in a row, this family-owned establishment won the prize for Honolulu’s Best Ube Dessert – their unique cheesecake incorporates this Filipino delicacy, known as purple yam. Having a cheesecake craving but not feeling it? Along with the flan, there’s also crinkle cookies, cake, and soft serve made from the fruit. There’s also an ube roll. Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. ubaehawaii.com @WingIceCream took this photo. This Chinatown business, according to some, has the greatest handcrafted ice cream on the island. Check it out and let us know what you think! Tuesday through Thursday, 12pm to 8:30pm, Friday and Saturday, 12pm to 9:30 PM, and Sunday, 12pm to 6 PM are the hours of operation for Wing Ice Cream Parlor during Covid. Closed Monday.wingicecream.com

Menus

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 result is a rich wine that has been naturally sweetened with grape sugars. Although there are hundreds of various varieties of dessert wines available on the market, the majority of them fit 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!

With the purchase of Wine Folly: Magnum Edition, you will receive this bonus.

• Because of the carbonation and strong acidity in sparkling wine, it appears to be less sweet than it really is! It is true that certain grape types have a sweeter aroma than others do. The fact that they taste sweeter is a deception on our brain as well. Consider the difference in flavor between a Demi-Sec Moscato (called “Semi Secco”) and a Demi-Sec Champagne, despite the fact that they may have the same amount of sugar in both cases. Maintain a close eye out for these terms on the label while hunting for sweet dessert wine Champagnes and other sparklers: You can get the course if you buy the book! Consider purchasing the Wine 101 Course ($29 value) instead. When you buy Wine Folly: Magnum Edition, you will receive a complimentary copy. Obtaining Additional Information

Because of the carbonation and strong acidity in sparkling wine, it appears to be less sweet than it actually is! Some grape types have a sweeter 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, even though both may have the same amount of sugar. Keep an eye out for the following terms on the label of sweet dessert wines, Champagnes, and other sparkling wines: Purchase the book and you will receive the course!

With the purchase of Wine Folly: Magnum Edition, you will receive a free gift.

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

In an unfortified style, these lusciously sweet wines are crafted from the finest fruits. Sugar and acidity allow many of these wines to retain their fresh taste even after 50 years or more. There are other historical significance wines, such the HungarianTokaji (pronounced “toe-kye”), which was favored by the Tzars of Russia; the South African Constantia, which was a favorite of the Dutch and English; and the French Sauternes, which was favored by Americans in the early 1800s.

Producing deeply sweet dessert wines may be accomplished in a variety of ways, and understanding how they’re prepared can help you appreciate them more fully.

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.