The Best Dessert Wines to Sip When You Want a Lil' Something Sweet

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Picking out a bottle of wine can sometimes be intimidating. The bottles of reds, whites, and rosés that line the shelves of the wine store will leave many people guessing. But being aware of the different types of wine can help to narrow down the decision-making process. For example, take dessert wines.

Once you know that you want a sweet wine for serving as an after-dinner drink, picking out a bottle of wine will be a little bit easier. For starters, you can choose between sweet sparkling wines, fortified wines, port wines, or more on the list ahead. You can also pick a dessert wine based on your sweetness level. Just note that these wines are higher in sugar content and higher in alcohol content than your average bottle. But don't let that stop you! Dessert wines are perfect for anyone who has even the slightest bit of a sweet tooth. Pair them with your favorite chocolate desserts or opt for a fruitier bottle to go with your favorite fruit pies. Either way, you'll want to pop open a bottle for a special occasion, like an anniversary, or even just weekend treat.

But first, what how are dessert wines made? There are various ways to produce these sweet wines like using dried grapes (which have concentrated sugar levels), fortification, or freezing. Some wines are even made using a late harvest process that produces a natural product known as "noble rot." Don't worry, that's just what helps intensify the sugar levels in the wine. Now that you're on your way to becoming a bonafide sommelier, check out our picks for the best dessert wine.

Bellini Vin Santo

This Italian dessert wine has a rich toffee aroma and honey flavor that's sweet but not too sweet. In fact, you'll get notes of nuttiness to this wine, which makes it a great option for serving with a nutty cookie or biscotti.

Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec

Worth the splurge! This sparkling sweet wine is perfect for a special occasion. It has soft bubbles and bright fruit flavors that develop into rich notes of nutty praline, making it taste just as delicious alongside a savory cheese board as it is when paired with a sweet dessert.

Graham's 10 Year Tawny Port

Graham's has been making port wine in Portugal's Douro Valley for over 200 years! So, they know a thing or two about the fortified red wine. Their 10-year old Tawny Port is a great place to start. After being aged for 10 years in seasoned oak casks, the wine creates a sweet honey-like flavor that's perfect for pairing with pastries or even an apple pie! It's best when served slightly chilled.

Inniskillin Vidal Icewine 2019

It doesn't need to be snowing outside to enjoy this interesting bottle of wine! Instead, the type of wine gets its name from the method in which it's made, which involves leaving the grapes on the vine to freeze! The grapes are actually harvested in the middle of the night (while still frozen) to allow the sugars to concentrate and separate from the water content. The result? A fruity and flavorful wine with notes of peaches and apricot.

Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz

Fresh, fruity, and sweet—the name of this bottle will give you a hint at what flavors to expect. Of course, there's notes of ripe berries and an unexpected chocolaty undertone that makes it a treat in itself.

Alvear Pedro Ximenez 1927

This top-rated wine is made first by drying the grapes out on special woven mats in the sun. It helps to create a sweet flavor with notes of dried fruit, caramel, and coffee that makes it perfect for pairing with a rich chocolate dessert. May we suggest Ree Drummond's chocolate sheet cake?

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