Dessert wines are a special category of wines that are enjoyed with sweet dishes, typically after a meal. These wines are usually higher in sugar and alcohol content than regular table wines, and are often served in smaller portions. Dessert wines come in a wide variety of styles and flavors, each with its own unique characteristics and food pairing possibilities. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of dessert wines and how to pair them with food to create a truly memorable culinary experience.
Port
The first type of dessert wine is Port. Port is a fortified wine from the Douro Valley region of Portugal. It is made from a blend of grape varieties, typically including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Barroca. Port wine is known for its rich, full-bodied flavor and high alcohol content, usually between 19% and 20%. It is typically enjoyed with chocolate desserts, such as chocolate truffles or chocolate cake, as well as with cheese, such as Roquefort or Stilton.
Sauternes
The second type of dessert wine is Sauternes. Sauternes is a sweet white wine from the Bordeaux region of France. It is made from the Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grape varieties, and is known for its rich, honeyed flavor. Sauternes is typically enjoyed with fruit-based desserts, such as apple tart or peach cobbler, as well as with cheese, such as Roquefort or Gorgonzola.
Ice Wine
The third type of dessert wine is Ice Wine. Ice wine is a sweet wine made from grapes that have been left on the vine until they freeze. It is typically made from Riesling, Vidal, or Cabernet Franc grapes and is known for its intense, concentrated flavor. Ice wine is typically enjoyed with fruit-based desserts, such as apple tart or strawberry sorbet, as well as with cheese, such as Roquefort or Gorgonzola.
Madeira
The fifth type of dessert wine is Madeira. Madeira is a fortified wine from the Madeira Islands of Portugal. It is made from a blend of grape varieties, including Sercial, Verdelho, Bual, and Malmsey. Madeira is known for its nutty, caramelized flavor and high alcohol content, usually between 19% and 20%. It is typically enjoyed with chocolate desserts, such as chocolate truffles or chocolate cake, as well as with cheese, such as Roquefort or Stilton.
Muscat Rosali
The fifth type of dessert now is a popular Armenian dessert wine called Muscat Rosali. This wine is made from the Muscat grape variety and it is known for its sweet and floral aromas and flavors. The color of this wine is a beautiful light pink and it has a refreshing, fruity taste. This wine is typically produced in small amounts and it is considered a specialty wine. It pairs well with fruit-based desserts, such as berry tarts or fruit sorbets, and also goes well with light cheeses like brie or camembert.
Muscat Rosali is often served as an aperitif and is also a great match for traditional Armenian pastries like “Gata” and “Pakhlava” which are sweet breads and a type of baklava respectively. The light and refreshing flavors of Muscat Rosali wine complements these traditional pastries’ sweet and nutty flavors perfectly. This wine is also a great choice for summertime desserts as its light and refreshing character is perfect for hot weather.
When pairing wine with food, it is important to keep in mind the basic rule of “what grows together, goes together.” This means that wines from a certain region are often best paired with the local cuisine. For example, a Port wine is best paired with a chocolate dessert, as chocolate is a traditional ingredient in many Portuguese desserts. Similarly, a Sauternes is best paired with a fruit-based dessert, as the Bordeaux region is known for its sweet, fruit-based desserts.
