5 Sweet Wines to Try This Holiday Season

We can all agree the holidays are a time where we can indulge a bit. From rich turkey and gravy to bellies full of sugar cookies, no food is truly off limits during this holidays. I think sweet wine is a great example of this; while it might be a little overpowering during the rest of the year, sweet wines just make sense to me during the holiday season.

If you’ve never been a fan of sweet wines “because they’re too sweet!” this post is for you — because you probably just haven’t found the right kind yet. I highlight 5 of my favorite sweet wines along with tips on how to serve them so you can find the right one for you and finally experience the magic that is sipping a delightfully indulgent sweet wine next to your Christmas tree.

1. Moscato d’Asti

Moscato d’Asti is a Italian sparkling wine hailing from the Piedmont region. It’s made primarily from the Moscato Bianco grape, known for its aromatic qualities and naturally high sugar content. This wine is famous for its light, effervescent character and sweet flavor profile.

Moscato d’Asti is a fantastic sweet wine to enjoy around the holidays for several reasons. Its lightness and sweetness make it a versatile pairing option with a wide range of holiday desserts, such as fruit tarts, cakes, pies, and pastries. Its festive bubbles add a celebratory touch to any gathering, making it perfect for toasting and sharing with loved ones. Additionally, its low alcohol content (typically around 5-7% ABV) means you can indulge without feeling too heavy or overwhelmed.

Taste

In terms of taste, Moscato d’Asti is often described as having fruity and floral notes, with hints of peach, apricot, orange blossom, and honeysuckle. Its sweetness is balanced by a refreshing acidity, making it incredibly easy to drink and pleasantly refreshing.

Serving Tips

When serving Moscato d’Asti, it’s best chilled to around 46-50°F to enhance its crispness and preserve its delicate flavors. Use a narrow champagne glass or a tulip-shaped glass to fully appreciate it. Pour gently to maintain the wine’s natural fizz.

2. Sauternes

Sauternes originates from the Sauternes region of Bordeaux, France. It’s made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes that have been affected by Botrytis cinerea, commonly known as noble rot. This fungus causes the grapes to shrivel, concentrating their sugars and flavors, resulting in a lusciously sweet and complex wine.

Sauternes is an exceptional sweet wine to enjoy around the holidays. Its luxurious and indulgent character makes it a perfect match for festive desserts like crème brûlée, fruit tarts, cheesecake, or foie gras. Its complexity and depth of flavor can elevate any holiday meal or celebration, whether as an aperitif, dessert wine, or pairing with savory dishes.

Taste

In terms of taste, Sauternes is known for its rich and opulent flavors. It often exhibits notes of honey, apricot, peach, mango, orange marmalade, and sometimes a subtle hint of botrytis-induced earthiness. Despite its sweetness, Sauternes maintains a remarkable balance with acidity, providing structure and preventing it from being cloying.

Serving Tips

When serving Sauternes, it’s essential to chill it slightly, typically around 50-54°F to enhance its freshness and acidity while allowing its rich flavors to shine. Use small, tulip-shaped glasses to concentrate the aromas and guide the wine to the palate.

3. Ice Wine

A Canadian specialty, ice wine, is a decadent sweet wine produced from grapes that have frozen on the vine. This unique winemaking process involves harvesting the grapes in the dead of winter, often at night when temperatures are below freezing. The grapes are left to freeze naturally on the vine, concentrating their sugars and flavors. When pressed, the frozen water remains behind as ice, yielding a small amount of intensely sweet and flavorful juice.

Ice wine is a fantastic sweet wine to enjoy around the holidays because its luxurious flavor makes it a perfect match for festive desserts like fruit tarts, crème brûlée, cheesecake, or even alongside a cheese platter with nuts and dried fruits.

Taste

In terms of taste, ice wine is prized for its intense sweetness and vibrant fruit flavors. It often exhibits notes of ripe peach, apricot, honey, pineapple, and tropical fruits, with a luscious mouthfeel and refreshing acidity that balances its sweetness.

Serving Tips

When serving ice wine, it’s crucial to chill it thoroughly to around 46-50°F to enhance its refreshing qualities and maintain its crispness. Serve it in small, tulip-shaped glasses to concentrate the aromas and guide the wine to the palate.

4. Port

Port is a fortified wine from the Douro Valley in Portugal. It’s typically made from a blend of indigenous grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), and Tinta Barroca. What sets port apart from other wines is its fortification process, where a neutral grape spirit, typically brandy, is added during fermentation to stop the process and preserve the wine’s natural sweetness.

Port is a fantastic sweet wine to enjoy around the holidays for several reasons. Its richness, complexity, and versatility make it a perfect companion for festive gatherings and special occasions. Its wide range of styles ensures there’s a port to suit every palate, making it a classic choice for sharing cherished moments with friends and family during the holiday season.

Taste

In terms of taste, port wine offers a wide range of styles and flavors, depending on the specific type.

• Ruby port is young and vibrant, with fruity flavors of cherries, raspberries, and plums.
• Tawny port is aged in wooden barrels, resulting in nutty, caramel, and butterscotch notes with a smoother palate.
• Vintage port is made from the best grapes of a single exceptional year, offering rich, intense flavors of dark fruits, chocolate, and spices.
• White port is less common but equally delightful, exhibits flavors of citrus, honey, and almonds.

Serving Tips

When serving port, it’s essential to consider the style and age of the wine:

• Ruby port is typically served slightly chilled, around 12-15°C (54-59°F), and can be enjoyed on its own or paired with desserts like chocolate, berry tarts, or cheeses.
• Tawny port is best served at cellar temperature, around 15-18°C (59-64°F), and pairs beautifully with nuts, dried fruits, caramel desserts, or creamy cheeses.
• Vintage port should be decanted to remove any sediment and served at room temperature, around 16-20°C (61-68°F), allowing its complex flavors to fully unfold. It’s perfect for special occasions and can be enjoyed on its own or paired with rich desserts like chocolate mousse or Stilton cheese.

5. Sherry

Sherry is a fortified wine that originates from the Andalusia region of southern Spain, particularly the area around the city of Jerez de la Frontera. Made primarily from the Palomino grape variety, sherry is fortified with grape spirit during fermentation, resulting in a wide range of styles with varying levels of sweetness and dryness.

Sherry’s diverse range of styles offers something for every palate, from bone-dry to intensely sweet, making it a versatile and crowd-pleasing choice for festive gatherings. Whether sipped as an aperitif, paired with savory dishes, or enjoyed as a decadent dessert wine, sherry adds a touch of sophistication and indulgence to holiday celebrations. Its rich history, complex flavors, and timeless appeal make it a beloved tradition during the holiday season, bringing warmth, conviviality, and joy to gatherings with loved ones.

Taste

In terms of taste, sherry offers a diverse spectrum of flavors and styles, ranging from bone-dry to intensely sweet.

• Fino and Manzanilla sherries are dry styles, with crisp acidity, subtle nutty flavors, and a delicate, refreshing palate.
• Amontillado and Oloroso sherries are medium-dry to medium-sweet, with nutty, caramelized notes and a rich, complex character.
• Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherries are intensely sweet, with flavors of raisins, figs, toffee, and molasses, offering a luxurious and indulgent tasting experience.

Serving Tips

When serving sherry, it’s essential to consider the style and temperature:

• Fino and Manzanilla sherries are best served well-chilled, around 7-9°C (45-48°F), in small tulip-shaped glasses. They make excellent aperitifs and pair well with seafood, olives, almonds, and light appetizers.
• Amontillado and Oloroso sherries are served slightly chilled, around 12-14°C (54-57°F), and can be enjoyed as an aperitif or paired with a wide range of savory dishes, including roasted meats, aged cheeses, and hearty stews.
• Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherries are served at cellar temperature, around 16-18°C (61-64°F), and are typically enjoyed as dessert wines. They pair beautifully with chocolate desserts, ice cream, blue cheeses, and foie gras.

Tips on Enjoying Sweet Wine

If you normally prefer dry wine, but want to try some sweet wine this holiday season, here are some ways I recommend easing yourself into becoming a sweet wine drinker.

1. Start with Lighter Sweet Wines

If you’re new to sweet wines, start with lighter options like Moscato d’Asti or Sauternes. These wines often have a refreshing acidity that balances their sweetness, making them more approachable for dry wine lovers.

2. Experiment with Food Pairings

Pair sweet wines with savory or salty foods to balance out their sweetness. Try pairing a sweet wine like Sauternes or ice wine with salty cheeses, charcuterie, or spicy dishes to create a harmonious contrast of flavors.

3. Serve Chilled

Sweet wines are often best served chilled to enhance their refreshing qualities and maintain their crispness. Keep your sweet wines in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving, or use an ice bucket to chill them quickly.

4. Sip Slowly and Savor

Take your time to sip and savor each glass of sweet wine. This isn’t something you want to chug unless you want a headache. Pay attention to the wine’s aromas, flavors, and texture, and allow yourself to appreciate its complexity and depth without rushing.

5. Keep an Open Mind

Approach sweet wines with an open mind and a sense of curiosity. Embrace the opportunity to explore new flavors and experiences, and don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone!

The Best Sweet Wines For the Holiday Season

Incorporating these sweet wines into your holiday celebrations can elevate the dining experience and make cherished memories with family and friends. Whether you prefer a sparkling Moscato d’Asti or a decadent Sauternes, there’s a sweet wine for every holiday moment.

This year, treat yourself and your loved ones to the joy of discovering these delightful sweet wines. Raise your glass, savor the flavors, and toast to the warmth and happiness of the holiday season. Cheers!