This may be controversial, but I love dessert wines. And before you make a snap judgment about me (that I must also love cassette tapes and wall-to-wall carpet), hear me out.
First, let’s chat about dessert wine itself. It’s a type of sweet wine, where fermentation is stopped before all the yeast converts the grape sugars into alcohol. That leaves you with a richer wine with an intense flavor profile, and sometimes a higher alcohol content.
Because of their intensity, they’re generally poured in smaller measures and are made to be enjoyed at the end of a meal, alongside dessert or as a finish all on its own.
To me, dessert wines are like a delicious nectar – little flavor explosions that always please. And since I’m such a fan, I wanted to highlight a few of the dessert wines we offer:
Ana Diogo-Draper Amador Doce+Forte – this fortified red is slightly higher in alcohol and absolutely delicious with a dark chocolate tart or brownie and a seat by the fire.
M.A.D. Dashe Late Harvest Zinfandel – I love this rich red with a cheese plate after dinner (or before, if you want to start your dinner with a bang!)
I know a whole bottle of a dessert wine can be daunting if you’re new to it, even in its smaller size. But there’s a benefit to these fortified beauties – white dessert wines will last for a week or longer in the fridge, while the reds will last for at least a month. That gives you plenty of time to enjoy (and a delicious treat to have on hand during the holiday season!).
My guests are always pleasantly surprised when I bring out a bottle after dinner, so I hope you’ll give them a try and let me know what you think. And if there’s a dessert style you love that we don’t have in stock, let me know – it’s a dream to source these wines for you!
Cheers to those of us with a sweet tooth,
Lucy
VP of Wine, Naked Wines USA
PS. I’m always interested in the desserts that pair best with these wines. Send me your favorite pairings for a sweet treat with your wine – dessert or otherwise!
