About Sweet Wine

About Sweet Wine
A dessert wine is just that, a wine made strictly to pair with desserts at the end of a meal. Dessert wines are sweet wines; while many are naturally sweet, some are sweetned through the addition of grape must.

Famous dessert wines include Sauternes from France’s Bordeaux region, Rutherglen Muscat from Australia and vendages tardives (“late picked”) from France’s Alsace region. Germany also produces many famous dessert wines, ranging from Spatlese to Eiswein (made from frozen grapes).

Dessert wines from Italy include Vin Santo, Recioto di Soave and Recioto di Valpolicella. While some dessert wines have alcohol in the 12-14% range, others such as Moscato d’Asti from Piedmont in northern Italy are very low in alcohol (5.5%).

Dessert wines can accompany certain specific foods, especially cakes, almond tortes and fruit tarts; however, Sauternes and foie gras is a classic pairing.

While some lighter dessert wines such as Moscato d’Asti or Brachetto d’Acqui are meant for consumption upon release, others such as Sauternes or Auslese from Germany can age for decades, thanks to their high natural sugar concentration.

Top Picks for Sweet Wine

Stone Hill Winery NV  Concord
91 points
$10
Best Buy
This sweet red is spiked grape juice; you just can't hate a tasty juice box.
91 points $10 Best Buy
Quartz Rock Vineyard 2021 Black Currant Wine With Grape Brandy Hudson River Region
89 points
$34
With dark and concentrated fruit, it's very reminiscent of examples of cassis liqueurs from France; like a warm hug on the palate.
Parallel 44 2022 White Frosting Sweet White Wisconsin
88 points
$19
Sweet, bordering on tropical fruit with good citrus acidity and everything you expect from the grape; pair with a lemon chiffon pie or pineapple cake.
Boundless Optimism NV Sweet Dessert Wine California
88 points
$40
A pleasing dessert wine with pronounced red fruits and excellent acid structure to balance the sweetness.
Hillside Winery NV Outblushed Muscadine
87 points
$23
A boldly herbal sweet wine to pair with strong cheeses or try in cocktails.
Parallel 44 2023 Red Frosting Sweet Red Wisconsin
87 points
$19
Like sweet red Jell-O in your wine glass.
Stone Hill Winery NV  Moscato
87 points
$16
A fun, fruity wine that would make a good white Sangria.
Mountain Valley Winery NV Collier Reserve Muscadine
86 points
$22
An interesting flavor ride of a wine to pair with desserts and cheeses.
Hillside Winery NV Cantina Bianca Muscadine
86 points
$23
Sweet, but balanced with intriguing flavors that range from poached pear to lavender to toasted nuts.
Parallel 44 2023 Pink Frosting Sweet Rosé Wisconsin
86 points
$19
A fun, sweet wine loaded with red berry juice notes.