Collection: Sweet wine & dessert wine

• Château d'Yquem (Sauternes)
• Royal Tokaji
• Donnhoff (Trockenbeerenauslese)
• Graham's (port)

There are many different types of sweet wines and dessert wines, each with its own unique flavour profile. Some of the best-known are:

• Sauternes (France)
• Tokaji (Hungary)
• Trockenbeerenauslese (Germany)
• Port (Portugal)
• Madeira (Portugal)
• Vin Santo (Italy)

The history of sweet wines and dessert wines goes back a long way and is closely linked to the development of winemaking. Sweet wines were already highly prized in ancient times. The Greeks and Romans produced sweet wines by leaving grapes to dry on the vine in order to concentrate the sugar content.

During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, sweet wines were very popular at European courts. Regions such as Sauternes in France, Tokaj in Hungary and the Rheingau in Germany are still renowned today for their high-quality sweet wines. With the discovery of the New World, the production of dessert wines also spread to America and Australia.

Sweet wines and dessert wines can also be used in cooking to add a special touch to dishes. Try them in sauces for desserts, to enhance fruit salads, or in savoury dishes such as foie gras.

Sweet wines and dessert wines should be served well chilled at a temperature of 8–10°C. This helps to bring out their intense aromas and sweet flavour to the full. These wines pair perfectly with desserts such as fruit tarts, crème brûlée and cheese platters.

• Flavour profile: Think about which aromas and flavours you prefer – fruity, honeyed, toasty or nutty.
• Occasion: Choose a wine that suits the occasion – whether for a festive dessert, a cheese platter or a special occasion.
• Region and producer: Look out for renowned regions and producers known for their high-quality sweet wines.

• Rich flavours: Sweet wines offer a wide range of intense flavours, from honey and tropical fruits to caramel and nuts.
• The perfect accompaniment to dessert: Sweet wines pair beautifully with a wide variety of desserts and cheeses.
• Luxurious and elegant: These wines are often the highlight of a special meal and provide a luxurious finish.

Sweet wines and dessert wines offer a luxurious and versatile choice for many occasions. Their intense aromas and sweet flavour make them the perfect accompaniment to desserts, cheese and special occasions. Furthermore, when enjoyed in moderation, these wines can provide a moment of pure pleasure.

Sweet wines and dessert wines are characterised by their high sugar content, which is achieved through various methods. Some of the most common techniques include harvesting the grapes late in the season, drying the grapes on the vine or after harvest, and the use of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), which causes the grapes to shrivel and concentrates the sugar.

The production of sweet wines and dessert wines requires special techniques to achieve a high sugar content. These methods include harvesting the grapes late in the season, drying the grapes on straw mats or on the vine, and utilising noble rot. These techniques concentrate the sugar and aromas in the grapes, resulting in a sweet, rich wine.