per 100 grams
Carbohydrates 13.7 g
13.7%
Proteins 0.2 g
0.2%
Fats 0 g
0%
Water 70.5 g
70.5%
Sugar 7.8 grams
Fiber 0 ug
Trans Fats 0 ug
Ash 0.3 grams

Sweet Dessert Wine

160 Calories per 100g

Sweet dessert wine is a type of wine that is known for its high sugar content and deeply sweet flavor. It is also called ‘liquid dessert’ because of its smooth, silky texture and its comforting sweetness. Many types of sweet dessert wine are available, ranging from light and fruity to dense and complex, and from dry to ultra-sweet. Sweet dessert wine pairs wonderfully with desserts and chocolate and can be served on its own or used for cooking.

Sweet dessert wine first became popular in the 1600s as fashionable aristocrats enjoyed sipping sweet wines and served them with fruit and pastries at the end of meals. Sweet dessert wine has a special allure mainly due to its association with luxurious and celebratory occasions. Sweet dessert wine is produced by adjusting the grapes carefully before or during fermentation, or by adding sugar or other sweeteners after fermentation. The most common sweetening process is called chaptalization; in this technique, sugar is added to the juice of the grapes before fermentation begins. The sugars will be converted to alcohol during the fermentation process, resulting in a sweeter finished product.

Depending on the type of sweet dessert wine, it can range in color from densely rich and dark to light and golden. Some of the most widely available sweet dessert wines include Hungarian Tokaji Aszu, Italian Vin Santo, German Eiswein and French Sauternes. Tokaji Aszu is made from yellow or white grapes of the same name and is known for its intense honey flavor and complexity. Vin Santo is made with white grapes and has a caramel-like flavor and aroma. Eiswein is made with grapes that have frozen on the vine, resulting in a concentrated, high sugar content and a sweet, fruity taste. Lastly, Sauternes is made with grapes affected by Botrytis, also known as “noble rot.” This wine has a golden color, smooth texture and a complex flavor of honey and apricot.

The sweetness of sweet dessert wine is usually balanced by acidity which increases the complexity of flavor and, as when pairing any wine with food, will make the wine smoother and more enjoyable. Sweet dessert wine generally falls within the categories of either late-harvest or fortified wines. Late-harvest wines are produced from grapes left on the vine for an extended period of time and contain a high percentage of residual sugar. Fortified wines, on the other hand, have had additional alcohol added to them, resulting in a higher alcohol content and a fuller bodied sweet wine.

Sweet dessert wines are great to serve with desserts, fresh fruit and rich cheeses for special occasions or evenings at home. They range in price from reasonable to rare and exquisite. For those who enjoy sweet wines but prefer something a little less intense, fortified wines such as Port and Madeira are also excellent choices. Whether you are looking for a luxurious after-dinner treat or a delicious accompaniment to dessert, sweet dessert wines should be at the top of your list.