Best Dessert Wine Types and Differences

A dessert wine is a type of sweet wine that is typically served with dessert. The alcohol content of dessert wines can range from 12% to 16% or higher. Furthermore, they often have a higher sugar content than other types of wine. Dessert wines can be white, red, or rosé, and they are typically served chilled.

Popular Types of Dessert Wines

There are many different types of dessert wines, but some of the most popular include Sauternes, Tokaji, Icewine, and Port. Sauternes is a French dessert wine that is made from Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Tokaji is a Hungarian dessert wine that is made from Furmint grapes. The Furmint grapes are affected by botrytis cinerea, a type of fungus. Icewine is a Canadian dessert wine that is made from grapes that are frozen while still on the vine. Port is a Portuguese dessert wine made from red grapes that is sweeter, richer, and higher in alcohol content. Other popular dessert wines are Moscato d’Asti, Sherry, Madeira, Gewürztraminer, and Reisling (late harvest).

How Dessert Wines are Made

Many dessert wines are made from grapes that have been affected by noble rot. This gray mold concentrates the sugars in the grape. Other dessert wines result from terminating the fermentation process early to keep the yeast from eating up all the sugar. Another option is using late harvest grapes. These types of grapes are allowed to raisinate, increasing the sugar content. Alternative methods also include chaptalization and fortification.

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The Difference Between Dessert and Other Wines

Dessert wines are typically sweeter and have a higher sugar content than other types of wine. They also often have a higher alcohol content. They usually range from 12% to 16% but Port wines can be up to around 20%. Dessert wines can be white, red, or rosé, and they are typically served chilled.

Interesting Facts about Dessert Wines

Dessert wines have been made for centuries! Some of the earliest records date back to China in the 7th century. Dessert wines were also popular in ancient Greece and Rome. In the Middle Ages, dessert wines were often used as medicine. Today, dessert wines are enjoyed all over the world.

Dessert Wine Regions

There are many different regions that produce dessert wines. Some of the most famous include Bordeaux and Loire Valley in France, Hungary, Mosel region of Germany, Spain’s Andalusia, and Portugal.

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Varietals of Dessert Wines

While all dessert wines are characterized by their sweetness, there are different varietals. These include:

  • Sparkling Wines
  • Lightly Sweet Wines: Riesling
  • Richly Sweet Wines
  • Sweet Red Wines
  • Fortified Wines

Dessert wines are enjoyed all over the world and can be a great way to enjoy a special dessert.

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