Sweet wines can be compared to a magnet that draws juice or
cola drinkers away from these liquids and lures them towards the world of
wines. First time consumers of dessert wines should try out white wines lying
on the sweeter side, as sweet white wines are considerably easier to find than
sweet reds. People who tend to prefer sweet wines generally stay away from dry
wines. Some of the best varieties of sweet Australian white wines –
Riesling
Riesling is a grape variety which is grown in most New World
regions. It has the ability to be styled both as a red as well as a white wine.
To craft a dessert Riesling wine, the grapes are picked very late with icewine
or noble rot in order to enhance their sweetness. Sweet Rieslings generally
showcase a higher acidic content and lower alcohol content, matching well with
foods like soft cheese, fresh fruits, Thai food and bread pudding.
Moscato
The Muscat grape variety is known by a number of names –
Muscato, Moscato, Muscadel and Muscatel. This grape is used to manufacture a
blissfully aromatic wine dessert wine that can either be styled as a sweet
wine, or as a sweet semi sparkling (Moscato d’Asti). Being a food friendly
wine, Moscato has managed to pull at the heartstrings of many wine lovers, pairing
exceptionally well with Thai dishes, lightly spiced cuisines, creamy desserts,
berries and souffles among many others.
Chenin
Blanc
Initially originating in Loire Valley, the cultivation of
Chenin Blanc grapes has spread to various winegrowing regions like Australia,
Spain, South Africa and US. Highly acidic, this grape variety is usually
harvested late in the year after it has been exposed to as much noble rot as
possible. Chenin Blanc wines exhibit green apple aromas with a slight
minerality or chalkiness leading to a palate filled with flavours of honey,
nuts, chocolate and citrus. Spicy Asain dishes as well as Mexican cuisines are
great food partners with sweet and savoury Chenin Blanc wines.
Sauternes
Sauternes is regarded as the King of sweet wines. Sauternes wines
generally command respect and appreciation owing to their rich heritage and
history, which is why they are often more expensive in comparison to
similarly-styled sweet wines. A blend of Semillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon
Blanc grapes, this wine features acidity and chalkiness in addition to its
vibrant apricot and honeycomb flavours. Serve Sauternes wines chilled with
chocolate, moldy cheeses, fois gras and crème brulee.
Sauvignon
Blanc
Although Sauvignon Blanc wines are generally dry and acidic,
some producers in New Zealand and California are known to add residual sugar to
their Sauvignon wines in order to enhance texture as well as introduce
sweetness. Sav Blanc wines are known to exhibit lime, passion-fruit, kiwi,
white peach and nectarine flavours that infuse with ripe aromas of gooseberry,
celery, basil and wet concrete to provide a rich and cleansing mouth-feel. Pair
New Zealand or Californian Sauvignon Blanc wines with mint, crab, sour cheeses
or cucumber salads and they have the potential to be regarded as the best sweet Sauvignon Blanc wines in the
world.
