Sweet Dessert Wine

Sweet dessert wines have been enjoyed around the world since ancient times. From the Middle East to Europe to Africa, sweet wines were used to celebrate special occasions and feasts. This type of wine is incredibly versatile, pairing perfectly with various types of desserts, cheeses, and even certain savory dishes. The flavors can range from light and fruity to rich and complex.

So how does a sweet dessert wine travel from the vineyard to the dinner plate? In this blog post, we'll look at the steps involved in the production of sweet dessert wines, starting with the vineyard, the winemakers techniques, how the wines are fermented and aged, and the different types of sweet dessert wines available.

The Vineyard

The production of sweet dessert wines starts with grapes that are grown in specific locations known for their ideal climate and soil conditions. These vineyards are usually focused on specific varietals, such as Semillon, Muscadelle, or Gewürztraminer, as these grapes naturally have higher levels of sugar and lower levels of acidity. These grapes are often left on the vines for extended periods of time to give the wine the appropriate sweetness level.

In some cases, the grapes may be artificially "fed" in order to achieve the desired level of sweetness. For example, a winemaker might spray fructose and glucose on their vines to make the grapes sweeter. Alternatively, the grapes may be harvested early and left to sun-dry on mats, a process called "passerillage." This draws out the water and increases the sugar content of the grapes, resulting in a more intensely sweet wine.

The Winemakers Techniques

Once the grapes have been harvested and brought to the winery, the winemakers begin their work. Depending on the desired end result, they may need to employ a variety of techniques to create the sweet dessert wine.

For the fermentation process, winemakers sometimes use a combination of yeasts, enzymes, and bacteria. This allows them to control and direct the flavor profile of the wine. Sweet-loving yeasts, for example, allow for a higher level of residual sugar, resulting in a sweeter wine.

The fermentation process is also affected by temperature, with higher temperatures producing higher levels of alcohol and less residual sugar. To achieve the desired amount of sweetness and alcohol, winemakers may opt to stop the fermentation process at a certain point by cooling the tanks or adding alcohol. This is known as "stopping fermentation."

Aging

Once the fermentation process has been completed, the sweet dessert wines are aged, or "matured", in oak barrels, stainless steel tanks, or glass bottles. Different aging techniques and barrel choices can influence the flavor profile of the wine. Oak barrels, for example, can add subtle notes of vanilla and toast, while Chardonnay grapes left in stainless steel tanks typically develop a creamier and more floral character.

In addition to the aging process, some winemakers also opt for a technique known as "cold stabilization," which helps to remove some of the unwanted potassium and tartrates from the wine. This technique involves slowly lowering the temperature of the wine until it reaches a certain point, around 35 degrees Fahrenheit, which encourages the molecules to fall out of solution, leaving a cleaner and more stable wine.

The Different Types of Sweet Dessert Wines

There are a variety of sweet dessert wines available, each with its own unique flavor profile. Some popular examples include:

• Sauternes: This French sweet wine is made from Semillon, Muscadelle, and Sauvignon Blanc grapes that have been left on the vine until they are "nobly rotted" (affected by the Botrytis cinerea fungus). This results in an intensely sweet and viscous wine with flavors of honey, dried apricot, and ginger.

• Tokaji: This Hungarian sweet wine is made from Furmint, Harslevelu, and Muscat Blanc grapes that have been affected by the noble rot fungus. It has a syrupy texture and nectar-like flavors of honey and apricot.

• Port: This Portuguese sweet red wine is made from a blend of grapes such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinto Cão. It typically has flavors of ripe fruit, spice, and licorice.

• Moscato: This Italian sweet white wine is produced from the Muscat grape. It is typically light and fragrant, with aromas of orange blossom and flavors of peach, apricot, and honey.

• Icewine: This Canadian sweet wine is made from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine. It has a refreshingly sweet flavor profile with notes of tropical fruit, pineapple, and pear.

Conclusion

From the vineyard to the winery, creating a sweet dessert wine requires a great deal of skill, precision, and patience. The grapes must be grown in ideal conditions, and the winemakers must employ techniques to achieve the desired level of sweetness. Once the fermentation process is complete, the wines must be aged in oak barrels, stainless steel tanks, or bottles. Finally, there are a variety of different sweet dessert wines available, each with its own flavor profile. So next time you're enjoying a sweet dessert wine, take a moment to appreciate the journey it has taken to arrive at your dinner plate.