Dessertvins

Dessertvins, also known as dessert wines, are sweet wines typically served with dessert. Their sweetness comes from various factors, including unfermented grape sugars, fortification, or the concentration of sugars through methods like drying grapes or leaving them on the vine to overripen. The style of dessert wine can vary significantly based on the grape varietals used, the region of production, and the specific winemaking techniques employed.

Common styles of dessert wine include Port, a fortified wine from Portugal with rich, dark fruit flavors, and Sherry, a fortified wine from Spain that can range from dry to intensely sweet. Sauternes from Bordeaux, France, is a famous example of a botrytized wine, where noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) concentrates the sugars and flavors of the grapes, resulting in complex notes of honey, apricot, and saffron. Ice wine, or Eiswein, is made from grapes that have frozen on the vine, producing a highly concentrated and sweet nectar. Late harvest wines are made from grapes that have been allowed to hang on the vine longer than usual, increasing their sugar content.

Dessert wines are enjoyed for their ability to complement a wide range of desserts, from rich chocolate cakes and fruit tarts to simple cheeses. The sweetness of the wine should ideally be equal to or greater than the sweetness of the dessert it accompanies to prevent the wine from tasting bitter or sour. Their complexity and sweetness also make them a delightful after-dinner drink on their own.