The best dessert wines to try this Christmas
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What are the best dessert wines to try? Aside from mixing a port with lemonade on Christmas afternoon (please don’t judge me) I’m not sure I’d ever tried a sweet wine until my early thirties.
Having discerned my palate from the off-dry wines of my youth, it felt somewhat counter-intuitive, and my taste buds just couldn’t get on board.
It wasn’t until I was served a glass of Royal Tokaji on a non-wine related press trip (in Vegas of all places) that I began to take note of how special they are.
I’d love to say I regularly open a bottle of sweet wine now, but in truth, the best dessert wines only tend to come out on special occasions: an anniversary, birthday or religious festival, like Easter or Christmas. Indeed, I was reminded of the religious significance of sweet wine while on a recent trip to the Cyprus – the home of Commandaria, a wine made from local grapes Xynisteri and Mavro that have been over-ripened and dried in the sun.
Recognised in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest manufactured wine in the world, it is still used today as communion wine in the 14 villages on the foothills of the Troödos Mountains where it is made, but it is also drunk by locals with Portokalopita (a syrupy orange cake flavoured with cinnamon) and goes particularly well with blue cheese.
Sadly, Commandaria isn’t the easiest to come by in the UK but there are plenty of other styles to add to your Christmas shopping haul and sip throughout the festive season. From golden dessert wines like Sauternes and Tokaj Aszú to late-harvest Mourvèdre and port from the banks of the Douro, here’s seven of the best dessert wines to try this festive season.
How should you serve a dessert wine?
The best dessert wines should be served slightly chilled, if you serve them warm then they can become excessively sweet and rich but too cold and it will mask the flavours. The optimum temperature is between 7°C and 12°C. Pour into smaller glasses than you would dry wine too – the alcohol content is usually higher in sweet wines, so a 75ml serving is plenty.
Which are the best dessert wines to serve at Christmas?
Sauternes: Liquid gold from Bordeaux
The renowned dessert wine from Bordeaux is made from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes affected by "noble rot" (botrytis cinerea), which concentrates their sugars and flavours.
The result is a wine with luscious notes of apricot, honey and marmalade, balanced by vibrant acidity. While considered a dessert wine, the sweetness contrasts brilliantly with rich savoury dishes like chicken or duck liver pâté and blue cheeses like Stilton or Roquefort.
Sauternes to try: Château Les Mingets
Château Les Mingets 2019, Sauternes (Half Bottle)
£17.00
A rich and concentrated dessert wine from hand harvested Semillon grapes affected by noble rot and matured in oak barrique. This classic Sauternes has a...… read more
Tokaji: The Hungarian legend
Another noble rot wine, Tokaji Aszú is often referred to as the wine of kings in its native Hungary, where botrytised Furmint grapes create lusciously sweet and complex flavours.
Hárslevelű and Muscat grapes are sometimes added to the blend for fruitiness. With its orange peel, honey and exotic spice flavours, you can’t get a much better pairing for Christmas pud than Tokaji Aszú (it’s also great with Christmas cake with the marzipan bringing out the wine’s nutty undertones). But, if roasted goose is your meat of choice for the Christmas table, then you could also serve it with the main event, or as an accompaniment to a Boxing Day curry.
Tokaji to try: Chateau Pajzos Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos
Chateau Pajzos Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2016, Tokaji
£42.50
Hungarian Tokajis were historically among the most highly prized wines in the world. Long before Sauternes, they graced the tables of European elites and connoisseurs....… read more
Late-Harvest Mourvèdre: A unique treat
Often associated with bold red wines, Mourvèdre can also be vinified as a sweet, late-harvest wine. Its full-bodied, rich and velvety with notes of dark fruits like black cherry, dried figs and prunes, chocolate and coffee with slight hints of spice.
Late-Harvest Mourvèdre is a great for tricky dessert pairings like chocolate mousse (in fact it goes with anything chocolatey, from advent calendar chocs to that festive tin of Roses) but it’s also lovely with gingerbread and cheeses served with sweet chutney.
Mourvèdre to try: Cline Cellars Late Harvest Mourvèdre
Cline Cellars Late Harvest Mourvèdre 2017, California
£24.00
Luxury on legs. This slim bottle Dessert wine is packed full of alluring flavours and character. This wine is luxuriously sweet and divinely tempting. Layers...… read more
White Port: A Douro delight
When you think of Port, you usually expect a red wine right? Well Port is also made from white grapes, such as Malvasia Fina, Gouveio, Viosinho and Rabigato to deliver a lighter style.
Aged in oak barrels, white port develops flavours of dried fruit, nuts and honey with a refreshing finish. Get your nutcrackers at the ready because this wine pairs wonderfully with Marcona almonds, pecans and walnuts. If you’d rather pair with dessert, serve with a citrus tart, which will help cut through the sweetness, or pour a glass mid-afternoon with a seasonal shortbread biscuit or two.
Bottle to try: Krohn Lágrima White Port NV
Krohn Lágrima White Port NV
£19.50
Lágrima (meaning 'tears') is the sweetest style of white Port. The grapes are grown on the schistous soils of the Douro region. Vinification is in...… read more
Sweet wine alternatives: 3 demi-sec and medium sweet wines to try this Christmas
For those who find the intensity of sweet wines overpowering, demi-sec (medium-sweet wines) or sweeter styles of dry wine are a great alternative.
Knightor Winery Mena Hweg
This lightly sweet Bacchus from Cornwall in England is ideal for those who like Riesling and is lower in alcohol at just 8% ABV so ideal for those days where you want to take it easy. It has a pretty floral and fresh stone fruit aromas with flavours of elderflower and peach and pairs well with apple pie or crumble, or spiced scones if you’re serving a festive afternoon tea.
Knightor Mena Hweg 2023, Cornwall
£18.00
This is not what you are expecting from an English Bacchus. This Cornish white wine is a medium bodied semi-sweet wine with only 8% alcohol,...… read more
Vouvray Deniché
From high up in France’s Loire Valley, the Chenin Blanc grapes used to make this wine are picked early in the day, before the sun has time to heat up the vines, resulting in a bright and fresh medium sweet wine, which boasts flavours of apple tart, quince, and honey. If you’re serving glazed roast ham at Christmas, this is a no brainer.
Vouvray Deniché 2021, Loire Valley
£15.00
Selected from vines which lie on the higher plateaus of the Vouvray appellation. The grapes are harvested early in the day, before the sun has...… read more
Domaine des Pampres d’Or Divin Rosé "Pet Nat", Beaujolais
A sparkling rosé, organic pet nat…there’s a whole lot happening with this wine! Intense red fruit aromas give way to a delicate sweetness on the palate, which is perfect for pairing with light desserts, such as raspberry pavlova or Christmas trifle. If you want something sweeter, pop in a drop or two of blackcurrant liquor for a refreshing take on a Kir Royale.
Domaine des Pampres d’Or Divin Rosé
Domaine des Pampres d’Or Divin Rosé "Pet Nat", Beaujolais
£21.00
A deep pink sparkling rosé. This is a delightfully fruity and refreshing fizz. The bubbles are fine and bright. The aromas are intense fresh red...… read more
So there you have my selection for the seven best dessert wines to drink this Christmas. Cheers!
