Popular Dessert Wine Types to Have on Your Wine List

There are so many different varieties of wine in the world that is hard to point out the best ones and the must-haves for every restaurant wine list. You can source traditional wines, as well as plenty of exotic wines. Some restaurants go as far are supplying palm wine and canned wine, too. Low-carb wine and low-alcohol wines are also talked about quite a bit in the last few years due to the significant change in the top beverage trends.

One category of wine, however, is not talked enough about, although it’s is certainly important and can bring many wine enthusiasts to an establishment. We are talking about dessert wine and the many incrediblyd delicious types of it you can add to your wine list. These wines are perfect for the end of a fine dining experience but also can be enjoyed with a meal, as part of the best wine pairings you can imagine.

Do you want to know more about dessert wine and what you are potentially missing out on? If you do, we invite you to dive deep with us into the world of dessert wines to learn about the different types, how to pair them and more!

10 Different Dessert Wine Types to Add to Your List

Dessert wines are a unique category thay can be enjoyed with a large number of desserts or on their own. Some people go as far are to combine them with saltier foods for a unique contrast of flavors. There are many different types of dessert wine and they all deserve attention because of their unique characteristics and incredible taste Here are the main dessert wine types:

Late Harvest Wines - These wines are made from grapes that are left on the vine longer than usual, allowing them to become overripe and high in sugar. Examples include late harvest Riesling and late harvest Chenin Blanc.
Ice Wine (Eiswein) - Produced from grapes that are naturally frozen on the vine, ice wine is highly concentrated and very sweet. It is commonly made in countries with cold climates, such as Canada and Germany.
Noble Rot Wines (Botrytized Wines) - These wines are made from grapes affected by Botrytis cinerea, a beneficial fungus that concentrates the sugars and flavors in the grapes. Examples include Sauternes from France and Tokaji Aszú from Hungary.
Fortified Wines - These wines have a higher alcohol content (ABV) due to the addition of a spirit, usually brandy, during fermentation. This process halts fermentation and leaves residual sugar in the wine.
Vin Santo - An Italian dessert wine made from dried grapes, typically Trebbiano and Malvasia, which are dried on mats or hung to concentrate the sugars before fermentation.
Muscat Wines - These wines are made from the Muscat grape and are known for their floral and fruity aromas. They can range from lightly sweet to very sweet. Examples include Moscato d'Asti from Italy and Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise from France.
Tokaji Aszú - A Hungarian wine made from grapes affected by noble rot, producing a rich and complex wine with flavors of apricot, honey, and spice.
Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, and Trockenbeerenauslese - German Riesling wines categorized by increasing levels of ripeness and sugar content, with Trockenbeerenauslese being the sweetest.
Sparkling Dessert Wines - These include sweet versions of sparkling wines such as Asti Spumante from Italy and Demi-Sec Champagne from France.
Commandaria - A sweet wine from Cyprus made from sun-dried Xynisteri and Mavro grapes, known for its rich caramel and dried fruit flavors.

There are also many smaller regions that produce their own dessert wines. If your restaurant is located near any wineries, be sure to contact them and talk about the types of wine they produce. If they have special dessert wine they make, you should consider getting that for your beverage inventory. Unique local wines will surely impress your customers.

Key Takeaway: Dessert wines are a great addition to any wine list. They pair perfectly with a wide range of desserts or can replace the sweet treat entirely. They are flavorful and delicious, and will surely be loved by customers.

How to Pair Dessert Wine with Food

Pairing dessert wines with food involves balancing sweetness, acidity, and flavor profiles to complement and enhance both the wine and the dish. Here are some guidelines for pairing different types of dessert wines with various foods:

Late Harvest Wines - These wines include late harvest Riesling, late harvest Chenin Blanc. These types of dessert wine complement perfectly fruit tarts and pies because of the fruity flavors. They can also be paired with cheesecake, as the wine complements well the cream texture of this dessert.
Ice Wine (Eiswein) - Great examples of ice wine are Canadian Ice Wine and German Eiswein. They pair nicely with blue cheese, as the intense sweetness of the wine contrasts with the salty, pungent flavors of the cheese. They also go well with fruit tarts and simple bowls of fresh fruit, as these desserts can highlight the wine’s natural falvors.
Noble Rot Wines (Botrytized Wines) - Pair your Sauternes and Tokaji Aszú wines with foie gras and crème brûlée. These two desserts balance the sweetness of the wine.
Fortified Wines - The fortified wines like port wine, sherry, and Madeira can be paired with different foods. Port wine pairs well with chocolate desserts like chocolate cake or truffles. Sherry pairs excellently with dark chocolate or vanilla ice cream, as well as pastries and flan. Madeira pairs wth rich desserts like fruitcake or dark chocolate.
Vin Santo - Vin Santo pairs perfectly with cantucci and caramel desserts. The wine’s nutty and caramel notes complement well both dessert types.
Muscat Wines - These wines are the perfect ones to pair with light, fruity cakes like lemon and orange cake. They also go perfectly with fresh fruits.
Tokaji Aszú - Walnut cake or baklava complements this wine's nutty, honeyed flavors. Spiced desserts like pumpkin pie and gingerbread enhance the complex profile of the wine, which makes them a great pairing, too.
German Sweet Wines - Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, and Trockenbeerenauslese for example are the perfect wines to pair with apple strudel or pear tart. They also pair nicely with soft cheeses like brie and camembert.
Sparkling Dessert Wines - Asti Spumante and Demi-Sec Champagne are both wines that you can pair with éclairs and macarons to balance the fizzy sweetness. Fresh strawberries and raspberries are a great thing to pair with these wines, too.
Commandaria - Rich chocolate mousse or brownies match the Commandaria’s caramel and dried fruit flavors. You can also pair it with spiced carrot cake or ginger cake to complement the wine’s complexity.

When pairing dessert wines with food, the key is to match the intensity of the wine with the dessert's flavors, ensuring neither overpowers the other. Consider the sweetness, acidity, and texture of both the wine and the food to create harmonious pairings.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dessert Wine

If you want to know the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about dessert wine, read the following paragraphs.

How Long Can Dessert Wine Be Stored?

Dessert wines can often be stored for longer periods than dry wines due to their high sugar content, which acts as a preservative. Fortified wines like Port and Madeira can last for many years, even decades, if stored properly in a cool, dark place. Once opened, most dessert wines should be consumed within a week or two, but fortified wines can last longer, typically several weeks to months, if properly recorked and stored.

What Is Dessert Wine?

Dessert wine is a category of sweet wines typically served with dessert or as dessert itself. These wines are known for their higher sugar content, which can be achieved through various winemaking techniques such as late harvest, noble rot, ice wine, and fortification.

Is Dessert Wine Higher in Alcohol?

Dessert wines often have higher alcohol content, especially fortified wines like Port and Sherry, which can range from 15-20% ABV. However, some like Moscato d'Asti have lower alcohol levels, around 5-7% ABV.

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