The Appeal of Dessert Wines & The Winemaking Process

 

The Sweet Delight of Dessert Wines

When it comes to dinner, many people eagerly anticipate the sweet finale: dessert. In the world of wines, there exists a special category that shares the same allure - dessert wines. These delightful, sweet wines can be enjoyed alongside or instead of a dessert, and they come in a wide variety of styles, including red and white, still and sparkling, and ranging from light to intensely rich.

 

Defining Dessert Wine

The definition of dessert wine can be somewhat fluid, with different wine enthusiasts using various criteria to classify them. Some include all sweet wines, while others focus on those with an alcohol content of at least 14%. For the sake of this article, we'll cover all sweet wines of high quality, regardless of their alcohol content.

 

Exploring the Types of Dessert Wine

Dessert wines encompass a diverse range of variations, generally falling into five main categories:

1. Noble Rot Wines

2. Ice Wines

3. Late Harvest Wines

4. Sweet Fortified Wines

5. Sweet Sparkling Wines

 

The Fortification Factor

While some dessert wines, like Port, Madeira, or Commandaria, undergo fortification (the addition of a strong spirit during fermentation), not all dessert wines are fortified. Noble rot grapes and frozen grapes can also produce non-fortified dessert wines with relatively low alcohol content. Sauternes, Tokaji, and ice wine are excellent examples of non-fortified sweet wines.

 

DESSERT WINE TYPES

Different winemaking methods are used to craft dessert wines, but they share similarities with table winemaking. Let's briefly explore some of these methods:

1. Noble Rot Wines: These wines get their sweetness from a beneficial fungus that infects the grapes, resulting in a small, incredibly sweet juice. Prestigious noble rot wines include Sauternes, Barsac, Tokaji, and “Trockenbeerenauslese”.

2. Ice Wines: Instead of fungus, vintners rely on freezing temperatures to concentrate the grape's sugar. Germany, Austria, Canada, Washington State, and New Zealand produce excellent ice wines.

3. Late Harvest Wines: Grapes are left on the vine for an extended period to increase sugar content. Great late-harvest wines come from Germany, Austria, Alsace, and the USA (Washington State and New York).

4. Sweet Fortified Wines: Fortified wines, like Port, Madeira, Sherry, Marsala, and Commandaria, have alcohol added during fermentation to retain sweetness and increase alcohol content.

5. Sweet Sparkling Wines: Examples include Moscato d'Asti, Asti Spumante, Brachetto, and Lambrusco. They follow traditional sparkling wine production methods, and the sweetness level varies.

 
Tasting and Storing Dessert Wine

As the name suggests, dessert wines are sweet, but their sweetness levels can vary significantly. Some, like Sauternes and Moscato wines, are subtly sweet, while others, like Port and sweet Sherry, can be intensely sweet, requiring small servings.

Storage guidelines for dessert wines are similar t

o those of dry wines. They should be kept cool, protected from sunlight, and away from strong odors. Once opened, dessert wines can last longer than table wines, with fortified wines having the longest lifespan.

 

Serving Dessert Wine

Dessert wines are best served as the final course of a meal, either alongside or in place of dessert. Proper serving temperatures are crucial to enhance the drinking experience. Dessert wines are typically served in smaller portions, and specific glassware, like Sherry or Port glasses, can enhance their flavors.

To decant or not to decant depends on the type of dessert wine. Most benefit from decanting to release their full aromas, while some, like Ices and Tokaji wines, do not require decanting.

 

Explaining the Cost of Dessert Wine

Dessert wines can be more expensive than table wines due to various factors. Unpredictable weather conditions can affect grape quality and yield. Additionally, some dessert wines require more labor-intensive winemaking processes or lengthy aging periods in oak barrels.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, dessert wines offer a delightful and unique experience, and even if you are not usually a fan of sweet dishes, they are worth exploring. Their complexity and range of flavors make them a perfect choice to conclude a dinner party on a sweet note. So, why not treat yourself to a bottle of exquisite dessert wine at your next gathering?