About Dessert Wines

A dessert 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 dessert wines include port as well as sweet sherries such as oloroso.

Alcoholic levels vary with these dessert 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 dessert wine, such as Riesling; these wines have aromas of honey, caramel and tropical fruits.

There are also dessert 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

Ferrante 2016 Ice Wine Vidal Blanc
94 points
$29.99
Ferrante
2016 Ice Wine Vidal Blanc
Gold color. Aromas of lychee, ripe cantaloupe, golden raspberry, fresh grated ginger, peach candies, and honeycomb with a thick, vibrant, very sweet medium-to-full body and a tingling, interesting, medium-long roasted nuts and sesame seed candy finish. Bright aromas of exotic fruit beacon to a glass of this fantastic ice wine from Ohio.
94 points $29.99
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Grgich Hills 2014 Violetta Late Harvest Dessert Wine Napa Valley
94 points
$85
Grgich Hills
2014 Violetta Late Harvest Dessert Wine Napa Valley
Golden yellow color. Complex aromas of beeswax, petrol, yellow apple confection, lily, rose petal, stewed apricot, and golden raisin with a round, vibrant, very sweet medium-to-full body and a silky, complex, long caramelized lychee, nata de coco, coriander, ginger, grapefruit marmalade, and coconut sugar finish. A beautifully textured, concentrated and stylish dessert wine to show off to Sauternes-loving friends; feel free to cellar.
94 points $85
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Date Tasted:
Wagner Vineyards 2017 Estate Bottled Ice Wine Riesling
93 points
$24.99
Wagner Vineyards
2017 Estate Bottled Ice Wine Riesling
Golden yellow color. Aromas of apricot liqueur, quince, and clove honey with a vibrant, moderately sweet full body and an interesting, medium-long apricot nectar, white peach skin, and golden delicious apple skin finish. A delicious stone-fruit nectar Eiswein for polishing off a splendid meal.
93 points $24.99
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Date Tasted:
Pend d’Oreille 2008 Oui! Red Dessert Wine Washington
93 points
$25
Pend d’Oreille
2008 Oui! Red Dessert Wine Washington
Dark burnt sienna color. Aromas and flavors of tiramisu, maple-fudge, cherry candies, and black pepper with a round, lively, sweet medium-to-full body and a peppery, layered, long finish with suggestions of baked Washington apple with blackberry jam, tamarind chutney, chocolate dipped black licorice, and dates with well-integrated, medium tannins and moderate oak flavor. Lively acidity and peppery nuance make this a craveable dessert wine to share.
93 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Tom Eddy 2010 Old Vine Dessert Wine Zinfandel
93 points
$75
Tom Eddy
2010 Old Vine Dessert Wine Zinfandel
Garnet black color. Fruity aromas of raspberry, chocolate graham cracker crust, dried figs and raisins, and cinnamon babka with a round, lively, sweet medium body and a smooth, intriguing, medium-length chocolate silk, espresso crema, and caramel finish with no oak flavor. A lip smacking late-harvest zinfandel that will be a decadent after-dinner cheese pairing.
93 points $75
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Date Tasted:
Ferraris 2017 Dulcis in Fundo Malvasia di Casorzo
92 points
$17.99
Best Buy
Ferraris
2017 Dulcis in Fundo Malvasia di Casorzo
Siam color. Perfumed aromas of ripe wild strawberry, orange zest, and magnolia with a round, spritzy, moderately sweet light-to-medium body and an effortless, interesting, medium-length huckleberries in creme finish with no oak flavor. A very friendly and juicy sweet red spritzer that will be a divine alternative to Lambrusco or Brachetto.
92 points $17.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Cline 2016 Late Harvest Mourvedre
92 points
$36
Cline
2016 Late Harvest Mourvedre
Deep purple color. Minty aromas and flavors of chocolate mint cookie and blueberry cobbler a la mode with a satiny, vibrant, sweet medium body and a graceful, captivating, long finish that shows notes of alpine mint, berry pie filling, and eucalyptus honey with fine, chewy tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. A lovely, spicy, minty red dessert wine that will turn heads.
92 points $36
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Date Tasted:
Anthony Lee’s NV Raspberry Wine Maine
91 points
$14
Anthony Lee’s
NV Raspberry Wine Maine
Indigo color. Interesting aromas and flavors of blackberry and currant, prune, and vanilla yogurt nuts with a satiny, tangy, moderately sweet medium-to-full body and a smooth, distinctive, long finish imparting notes of chokecherry puree and black raspberry sorbet with no oak flavor. A rich and rewarding, super concentrated berry lover’s dream; pour on ice cream.
91 points $14
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Date Tasted:
Alara Cellars 2016 Late Harvest Viognier
91 points
$49
Alara Cellars
2016 Late Harvest Viognier
Bright gold color. Interesting aromas of honey drizzled toasted challah, grilled peach, ripe papaya, and sultanas with a round, bright, very sweet medium body and a warming, complex, medium-long corn bread, vanilla fondant, pumpkin spice loaf, and pink peppercorns finish with coating tannins and moderate oak flavor. A very toasty, rich dessert wine to pair with baked desserts or nutty pastries.
91 points $49
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Date Tasted:
Fazeli Cellars 2013 Rumi Cinsault
91 points
$95
Fazeli Cellars
2013 Rumi Cinsault
Brown brick red color. Aromas of cocoa powder, flourless chocolate cake, soy-glazed walnuts, and rosemary baguette with a creamy, crisp, very sweet medium-to-full body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length dried figs and dates, tiramisu, mint tea with cream, and toffee-covered nuts finish with moderate oak flavor. A delicious offering to extend the meal; will be a decadent treat with cheese.
91 points $95
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Date Tasted: