dessert wines anyone?

[emilycat]

Are you in to ports at all, or are we speaking strictly white dessert wines?
I could offer several of my favorite ports and sherries, if you're interested.

[mightyh]

I like ports, too... Don't know if I've ever had a sherry, but am willing to try http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Julia1Pin]

Without a doubt, the one EVERYONE I know loves is Villa Mt. Eden Orange Muscat.

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[Gail]

...dunno the chances of finding this stuff where you live, but a lot of wineries put out late harvest wines, small, sweet, wonderful little treasures which are great with chocolates and other desserts. In the past, I've seen offerings from Hop Kiln, Trentadue, Geyser Peak, and Mark West (all California wineries) but I know there are many, many more engaged in this enterprise.

...which reminds me, I've to a Late Harvest Zinfandel which really needs drinking... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[KValley]

Pineau des Charentes- not technically a dessert wine, as it also makes a lovely aperatif. P des C is made from grape must and eau de vie (the alcohol that becomes Cognac after it has been twice distilled). Best served in a small, ripe, halved muskmelon and spooned up like soup. Of course, it also helps to be on the west coast of France, where the sun doesn't set until 10:30 on summer evenings, sitting on the back patio with friends, Jaques Brel drifing softly on the breeze...

Okay, back on earth, I second Gail's recommendation about Late Harvest Rieslings. I've never had any from California as I live in Late Harvest Riesling country- Washington state LHR's are pretty widely found.

Also try an ice wine from the Washington or British Columbia Okanagon region.

Salud! Julie

Mightyh- just noticed that you are in Shiloh. Although Pineau des Charentes is not well known even in France, DH and I found it at the Corkscrew wine store when we lived in Champaign-Urbana. There is also a Corkscrew in SPringfield. Now, to find Shiloh on my map...



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[mightyh]

Ooooh.... Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I'm copying this list and will keep it on hand as I work my way through your suggestions. Can't wait--the perfect summertime project!

Good luck finding Shiloh on the map, KValley http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif It's a very very tiny St Louis suburb. But I've had luck finding most suggested wines around here--not the most helpful wine store owners, but that's another story. Hopefully I can track down a P d C http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif


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[beejayw1]

Hard to find, but how about an 'Eis' or 'Ice' wine? These tend to be flukes: the grapes freeze on the vines just as they're being harvested. They are pressed anyhow, and the wine is sweet, concentrated, 'grape-y' tasting in the nicest possible way, and delicous with dessert. They can even stand up to chocolate.

They are, however, rather pricey if you can find them.

Diana

[mightyh]

I'm new to wine drinking/enthusiasm and just REALLY augmented my until-then VERY limited knowledge with a wonderful trip to Sonoma a few weeks ago.

Among all the "regular" reds and whites we fell in love with a few dessert sippers, namely muscats. Ravenswood was our favorite, though, sadly, they only sell it from their tasting room :/ It was slightly carbonated and had a wonderful peach aroma. Absolutely perfect for sitting out on the porch at night, admiring the stars and reading a good book. The muscats seems especially good for summer picnic weather, too.

So I need new suggestions to try. What are your favorites?

[TheresaM]

Although the Beringer's Chenin Blanc is not as sweet as a dessert wine, this wine would be great with fruit and cheese and it would go well with desserts. Give this one a try and tell whether you agree.