It's not often that rot is described as noble. But in the case of sweet wines, this is exactly as such. Made from white-wine grapes stricken with botrytis and under the right weather conditions, the concentrated sugars in the grapes result in a delicious muskiness touched with a hint of sweetness.
Best enjoyed with hearty fare such as caramelised mac and cheese with barbecue-style pulled pork, here are five sweet wines — tasting notes included — to try. Tip: Keep these bottles chilled at 12℃ to heighten acidity and flavours and give tautness to the sugar.
Best enjoyed with hearty fare such as caramelised mac and cheese with barbecue-style pulled pork, here are five sweet wines — tasting notes included — to try. Tip: Keep these bottles chilled at 12℃ to heighten acidity and flavours and give tautness to the sugar.
Gini Recioto di Soave
Robert Parker Wine Advocate score: 91
The 2007 Recioto di Soave Classico boasts gorgeous inner perfume and minerality to match its expressive fruit. This is a decidedly mid-weight, focused sweet wine, but one that is utterly convincing for its superb balance and sense of proportion. Sweet floral notes and hints of orange blossom linger on the finish.
Huey Vouvray Demi Sec
Robert Parker Wine Advocate score: 94+
The 2014 Vouvray Le Mont Demi-Sec shows an intense yellow colour with a golden shimmer. The bouquet is very diverse to the other 2014s of the domaine and shows more yeasty flavour along with delicate, precise ripe fruit aromas that are more open and enriched with fennel aromas at this stadium. On the palate, this is a lovely, fresh and juicy, persistently mineral Chenin with an aromatic intensity and persistency, also with great finesse and lingering salinity. The finish is very pure with lovely fruity notes.
SEE ALSO: Why Sweet Wines Deserve More Attention
Robert Parker Wine Advocate score: 91
The 2007 Recioto di Soave Classico boasts gorgeous inner perfume and minerality to match its expressive fruit. This is a decidedly mid-weight, focused sweet wine, but one that is utterly convincing for its superb balance and sense of proportion. Sweet floral notes and hints of orange blossom linger on the finish.
Huey Vouvray Demi Sec
Robert Parker Wine Advocate score: 94+
The 2014 Vouvray Le Mont Demi-Sec shows an intense yellow colour with a golden shimmer. The bouquet is very diverse to the other 2014s of the domaine and shows more yeasty flavour along with delicate, precise ripe fruit aromas that are more open and enriched with fennel aromas at this stadium. On the palate, this is a lovely, fresh and juicy, persistently mineral Chenin with an aromatic intensity and persistency, also with great finesse and lingering salinity. The finish is very pure with lovely fruity notes.
SEE ALSO: Why Sweet Wines Deserve More Attention
2014 Domaine du Trapadis Rasteau VDN Grenat
Robert Parker Wine Advocate score: 89
A terrific sweet wine, the 2014 Rasteau VDN Grenat has a vibrant ruby colour to go with medium to full-bodied notes of plums, liquorice and pepper. Made from 90% Grenache and 10% Carignan, it’s an elegant wine with a lively, fresh texture, nicely integrated sweetness and a great finish. Pair it with a cheese course.
Santa Sofia Recioto della Valpolicella Classico
Robert Parker Wine Advocate score: 89
The 2009 Recioto della Valpolicella Classico does a great job of portraying the power and intensity of the vintage. This dark dessert wine shows bold aromas of spice, black fruit, sweet plum and raisin. The wine coats the palate with its intense sweetness. Luciano Begnoni and his family run one of the most historic wineries in Valpolicella — complete with a stunning Palladio Villa. The Amarone Antichello is part of the Santa Sofia brand.
Chateau Caillou Barsac
Robert Parker Wine Advocate score: 88 - 90
The 2015 Château Caillou has a comparatively simple bouquet compared to its peers: clean and correct, if just missing its own "voice." The palate is fresh and vibrant, quite citrus-like at the start with a seam of orange rind running through the honeyed finish.
Robert Parker Wine Advocate score: 89
A terrific sweet wine, the 2014 Rasteau VDN Grenat has a vibrant ruby colour to go with medium to full-bodied notes of plums, liquorice and pepper. Made from 90% Grenache and 10% Carignan, it’s an elegant wine with a lively, fresh texture, nicely integrated sweetness and a great finish. Pair it with a cheese course.
Santa Sofia Recioto della Valpolicella Classico
Robert Parker Wine Advocate score: 89
The 2009 Recioto della Valpolicella Classico does a great job of portraying the power and intensity of the vintage. This dark dessert wine shows bold aromas of spice, black fruit, sweet plum and raisin. The wine coats the palate with its intense sweetness. Luciano Begnoni and his family run one of the most historic wineries in Valpolicella — complete with a stunning Palladio Villa. The Amarone Antichello is part of the Santa Sofia brand.
Chateau Caillou Barsac
Robert Parker Wine Advocate score: 88 - 90
The 2015 Château Caillou has a comparatively simple bouquet compared to its peers: clean and correct, if just missing its own "voice." The palate is fresh and vibrant, quite citrus-like at the start with a seam of orange rind running through the honeyed finish.
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