The 14 Best Sweet Wines to Drink
1. Sauternes – This French sweet wine is made from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes affected by noble rot. With a rich, honeyed flavor, Sauternes pairs well with foie gras or dessert.
2. Port – A fortified wine from Portugal, Port is often enjoyed as a dessert wine or an aperitif. It comes in various styles including Tawny, Ruby, and Vintage.
3. Moscato d’Asti – This Italian sparkling wine has a light body and low alcohol content. Its fruity flavors and sweetness make it a great choice for brunch or dessert.
4. Tokaji Aszú – Considered one of the world’s greatest dessert wines, Tokaji Aszú hails from Hungary and is made from botrytized Furmint grapes.
5. Riesling – German Rieslings can be sweet or dry, but the sweet versions offer delicious apricot, peach, and honey flavors that pair well with a variety of dishes.
6. Recioto della Valpolicella – Also from Italy, this sweet red wine is made from dried grapes and offers rich flavors of cherry, chocolate, and spices.
7. Quady Essensia Orange Muscat – Hailing from California, this sweet wine features intense flavors of orange blossom and apricots.
8. Banyuls – This French dessert wine is made from Grenache grapes and has complex notes of chocolate, coffee, and dried fruits.
9. Late Harvest Wines – Produced in various regions around the world, late harvest wines are concentrated in flavor due to the extended ripening period of the grapes.
10. Vinsanto – An Italian dessert wine made primarily from Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes; its rich amber color hints at flavors of dried fruits and nuts.
11. Vin Doux Naturel – A French fortified wine with a sweet and fruity taste, perfect for pairing with cheeses or desserts.
12. Ice Wine – Produced in Canada, Germany, and Austria, among other countries, this intensely sweet wine is made from grapes frozen on the vine.
13. Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) – A rare German wine made from individually selected grapes affected by noble rot, TBA offers extraordinary sweetness and complexity.
14. Maury – From the Roussillon region of France, Maury is a sweet fortified wine made predominantly from Grenache grapes. Its rich flavors of stewed fruits and cocoa make it an excellent after-dinner drink.