The best dessert wines to try this Christmas

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 Sauternes and Tokaji Aszú to sweet reds from Italy and California, here are seven of the best dessert wines to try this festive season.

How should you serve a dessert wine?

Most sweet white wines are best served slightly chilled, generally around 7–12°C. Too warm and they can seem heavy; too cold and their aromas become muted. Sweet reds can be served a little warmer, while White Port is particularly enjoyable chilled. A small 75ml glass is a good starting point, not because all dessert wines are stronger in alcohol, but because their flavours are often concentrated. And don't forget savoury pairings: pâté, blue cheese and rich festive dishes can be just as rewarding as pudding.

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 2020, Sauternes (Half Bottle)

£15.50

Château Les Mingets 2020 is a rich, golden Sauternes made from hand-harvested Sémillon grapes affected by noble rot. It offers concentrated flavours of caramelised fruit,… read more

Coteaux du Layon: The Loire's golden secret

Chenin Blanc might be better known for its dry wines, but in the Loire Valley it can also produce extraordinary sweet wines. In Coteaux du Layon, autumn conditions can encourage noble rot, concentrating the grapes' natural sugars while preserving Chenin's lively acidity. Expect ripe apricot, quince, honey and candied citrus, with freshness that keeps the sweetness beautifully balanced.

For Christmas, try it with tarte Tatin or apple and almond tart. It is also a lovely alternative to Sauternes alongside blue cheese.

Wine to try: Château de Plaisance 1er Cru Chaume, Coteaux du Layon (organic and biodynamic).

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

£38.50

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

£21.50

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

Moscato Passito: An Italian Christmas treat

Italy has a wonderful tradition of drying grapes to concentrate their sugars, a technique known as appassimento. Aromatic Moscato makes a fragrant dessert wine, with notes of orange blossom, dried apricot, honey and candied fruit. Try it with panettone, almond biscuits or a fruit tart, or pour a glass alongside Christmas cake.

Wine to try: Vite Colte La Bella Estate Moscato Passito.

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

Recioto della Valpolicella: Red wine for chocolate lovers

If you enjoy Amarone, you may already know Valpolicella's dried-grape tradition. Recioto uses a similar approach, but fermentation leaves enough natural sugar for a beautifully sweet red. Expect black cherries, raisins, dark chocolate and warming spice.

Serve it with dark chocolate torte, chocolate truffles or a rich mousse. It can also be delicious with mature blue cheese.

Wine to try: Monte Faustino Recioto della Valpolicella Classico.

What dessert wine goes with Christmas food?

Not sure which bottle to open? Here's a quick guide to matching sweet wines with Christmas favourites.

Planning the rest of the meal? Read my Christmas dinner wine pairing guide or browse eight wines for Christmas lunch.

So there you have my selection of the seven best dessert wines to drink this Christmas. Cheers!