Desert Wines: Methods, types, winemaking:
The Art of Dessert Wine Making: Different Methods and Examples
Dessert wines are a delightful category of wines that are typically sweeter and richer than table wines, making them perfect for pairing with desserts or enjoying on their own. There are various methods of producing dessert wines, each resulting in unique flavors and styles. This essay explores the different ways dessert wines are made, highlighting specific examples such as late harvest wines, ice wines, and other notable dessert wine styles.
Late Harvest Wines
Late harvest wines are made from grapes that are left on the vine longer than usual, allowing them to reach higher levels of ripeness. As the grapes remain on the vine, their sugar content increases, resulting in naturally sweet wines. This extended hang time also allows the grapes to develop concentrated flavors and complex aromas.
Example:
- Sauternes (France): Sauternes is a famous late harvest wine from the Bordeaux region of France, made primarily from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes. The region’s unique climatic conditions, with misty mornings and warm afternoons, encourage the growth of Botrytis cinerea, a beneficial fungus known as “noble rot.” This fungus dehydrates the grapes, concentrating their sugars and flavors, and imparts distinctive honey, apricot, and citrus notes to the wine. Château d’Yquem is one of the most renowned producers of Sauternes.
Ice Wines
Ice wines, also known as Eiswein in Germany, are made from grapes that have naturally frozen on the vine. The grapes are harvested and pressed while still frozen, which separates the sugar-rich juice from the water content. This process results in a highly concentrated, sweet wine with vibrant acidity.
Example:
- Inniskillin Ice Wine (Canada): Canada is one of the leading producers of ice wine, with the Niagara Peninsula being a prime region for its production. Inniskillin Ice Wine, made from Vidal, Riesling, or Cabernet Franc grapes, is renowned for its intense flavors of tropical fruits, honey, and citrus, balanced by refreshing acidity. The extreme cold temperatures required for ice wine production make it a rare and precious delicacy.
Fortified Wines
Fortified wines are made by adding a distilled spirit, usually brandy, to the wine during or after fermentation. This process increases the alcohol content and preserves the wine’s natural sweetness. Fortified wines come in various styles, including Port, Sherry, and Madeira.
Examples:
- Port (Portugal): Port is a fortified wine from the Douro Valley in Portugal. It is made from a blend of indigenous grape varieties, such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz. There are different styles of Port, including Ruby Port (young and fruity), Tawny Port (aged and nutty), and Vintage Port (made from exceptional harvest years). Graham’s and Taylor’s are notable Port producers.
- Sherry (Spain): Sherry is a fortified wine from the Jerez region of Spain, made primarily from Palomino grapes. Sherry comes in various styles, from dry Fino and Manzanilla to sweet Pedro Ximénez (PX) and Cream Sherry. PX Sherry, made from sun-dried Pedro Ximénez grapes, is exceptionally sweet and rich, with flavors of raisins, figs, and caramel. Bodegas Tío Pepe and Bodegas Lustau are well-known Sherry producers.
Botrytized Wines
Botrytized wines are made from grapes affected by Botrytis cinerea, the same beneficial fungus that contributes to late harvest wines like Sauternes. This fungus dehydrates the grapes, concentrating their sugars and enhancing their flavors. The resulting wines are intensely sweet and complex.
Examples:
- Tokaji Aszú (Hungary): Tokaji Aszú is a renowned botrytized wine from the Tokaj region of Hungary. Made from Furmint, Hárslevel?, and Muscat grapes, Tokaji Aszú is classified based on the number of puttonyos (baskets of botrytized grapes) added to the base wine. The higher the number of puttonyos, the sweeter and more concentrated the wine. Tokaji Aszú is known for its rich flavors of honey, apricot, and orange peel, with a balanced acidity. Royal Tokaji and Disznók? are prominent producers.
- Beerenauslese (Germany): Beerenauslese is a category of sweet German wine made from individually selected botrytized grapes. It is typically made from Riesling, Gewürztraminer, or Silvaner grapes and is known for its luscious sweetness and vibrant acidity. Beerenauslese wines have flavors of honey, dried apricots, and tropical fruits. Producers such as Dr. Loosen and Schloss Johannisberg are renowned for their Beerenauslese wines.
Passito Wines
Passito wines, also known as straw wines or dried grape wines, are made by drying grapes after harvest to concentrate their sugars and flavors. The drying process can take place on mats, racks, or hanging in ventilated rooms. The resulting wines are rich, sweet, and often have a unique raisiny character.
Examples:
- Vin Santo (Italy): Vin Santo is a traditional Italian passito wine made from Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes. The grapes are dried on straw mats or hung from rafters, and the wine is aged in small oak or chestnut barrels. Vin Santo is known for its amber color and flavors of dried apricots, nuts, and caramel. Tuscany, particularly Chianti, is famous for Vin Santo production, with producers such as Avignonesi and Isole e Olena.
- Recioto della Valpolicella (Italy): Recioto della Valpolicella is a passito red wine from the Veneto region of Italy, made from Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes. The grapes are dried on mats or racks before fermentation, resulting in a sweet, full-bodied wine with flavors of dried cherries, plums, and chocolate. Notable producers include Allegrini and Tommasi.
Noble Rot Wines
Noble rot wines are made from grapes affected by Botrytis cinerea, a beneficial fungus that dehydrates the grapes and concentrates their sugars. This process results in intensely sweet and complex wines with distinctive flavors.
Examples:
- Sauternes (France): As mentioned earlier, Sauternes is a famous noble rot wine from Bordeaux, known for its honey, apricot, and citrus notes. Château d’Yquem is a renowned producer of Sauternes.
- Trockenbeerenauslese (Germany): Trockenbeerenauslese, or TBA, is the sweetest and most concentrated category of German wine, made from individually selected botrytized grapes. TBA wines are rich, with flavors of honey, dried apricots, and tropical fruits, balanced by high acidity. Producers such as Egon Müller and Joh. Jos. Prüm are known for their exceptional TBA wines.
Dessert wines are a diverse and delightful category of wines, each offering unique flavors and styles. From late harvest wines like Sauternes to ice wines from Canada, fortified wines like Port and Sherry, botrytized wines such as Tokaji Aszú and Beerenauslese, and passito wines like Vin Santo and Recioto della Valpolicella, the art of dessert wine making showcases the creativity and skill of winemakers around the world. Each method of producing dessert wines brings out the natural sweetness and complexity of the grapes, resulting in wines that are perfect for special occasions or simply enjoying on their own.
