About Dessert Wines

A sweet wine is one that contains enough residual sugar to be considered too sweet for dinner (= 5% RS). Some of these wines are naturally sweet, while others are fortified. Examples of the former category include Auslese from Germany or passito from Italy, while fortified sweet wines include port as well as sweet sherries such as PX.

Alcoholic levels vary with these sweet wines, from 5.5% for a Moscato d'Asti from Italy to 20% with a port or sherry. Colors range from light amber to deep gold for a non-fortified sweet wine, such as Riesling; these wines have aromas of honey, caramel and tropical fruits.

There are also sweet liqueurs, such as cream-based or fruit-based, produced from any number of fruits from raspberries and cherries to peaches and bananas.

Top Picks for Dessert Wines

Weis Vineyards 2018 Ice Wine Riesling
97 points
$89
Beautiful complexity of flavor with light florals and minerality as counterpoints to its pronounced stone fruit, orchard fruit, and tropical citrus tones; this is world class Eiswein.
Awards: '2024 New York Wine Classic - Best Dessert Wine' 2024 New York Wine Classic - Governor's Cup Winner - Best Wine
Frost Bitten 2023 Ice Riesling
93 points
$15
Best Buy
A vibrantly delicious, lighter, Auslese-style ice wine with lavish honeyed fruit wrapped in a sleek satiny palate.
93 points $15 Best Buy
Weis Vineyards 2021 Winzer Select Edel Süss Finger Lakes
93 points
$59.99
A top notch dessert Riesling with precise fruit flavors, balanced acidity, and a proper delicate balance of botrytis.
93 points $59.99
Wölffer Estate Vineyard 2023 Diosa Late Harvest White Wine Long Island
92 points
$37
Exactly what is wanted and expected from a top quality dessert wine from the region; pair with candied fruit and nuts as well as blue cheese to end a meal at your favorite NYC French bistro.
Quartz Rock Vineyard 2021 Black Currant Wine With Grape Brandy Hudson River Region
89 points
$34
With dark and concentrated fruit, it's very reminiscent of examples of cassis liqueurs from France; like a warm hug on the palate.
Frost Bitten 2022 Ice Wine Riesling
89 points
$15
Best Buy
Vibrant fruit flavors with hints of subtle spice; a lovely dessert sipper.
89 points $15 Best Buy
Parallel 44 2022 White Frosting Sweet White Wisconsin
88 points
$19
Sweet, bordering on tropical fruit with good citrus acidity and everything you expect from the grape; pair with a lemon chiffon pie or pineapple cake.
Hillside Winery NV Outblushed Muscadine
87 points
$23
A boldly herbal sweet wine to pair with strong cheeses or try in cocktails.
Nitz 2022 Reserve Ice Wine Vidal Blanc
87 points
$29
Concentrated stone fruit flavors and lush texture make this a tasty dessert wine.
Parallel 44 2023 Red Frosting Sweet Red Wisconsin
87 points
$19
Like sweet red Jell-O in your wine glass.