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From a Chef's Perspective

From a Chef’s Perspective: Dessert Wine; what it is, and what it isn’t

April 23, 2015

Dessert wines are often misunderstood, and don’t get the appreciation they deserve when they are consumed out of context. What is often mistaken for a regular drinking wine that is “too sweet” or “syrupy”, should actually be praised for those exact qualities. The complexity and depth of a great dessert wine is best appreciated when it is consumed with one of its many possible food pairings alongside.

Let’s start with the basics…

In general, sweet wines pair very well with sweet foods that match its general flavor profile, very similarly to standard wine pairing. For example, white dessert wines will often pair well with fruit-based desserts, vanilla, and custards. Red dessert wines, on the other hand, pair better with chocolate desserts, sweet coffee flavors, dark berries & cooked fruits.
Another thing to remember is how to drink dessert wine. Unlike the *ehem* generous glass of Pinot Blanc we enjoy on the patio mid-summer, dessert wine should be served in small quantities, and sipped slowly like one would a fine Scotch.

And finally, a contradiction. Not only does dessert wine pair well with desserts, they also pair very well with flavorful, pungent cheeses. I know that sounds counter-intuitive, but ultimately a “big” flavor wine can only be paired with something that can stand up to it, otherwise that food will simply be lost. Or vise versa! Think blue cheeses, ooey gooey aged French cheeses, and even aged, firm, salty cheeses like a 24 month Beemster.

If you’re looking for a dessert wine for your next dinner get-together, we have one. And it’s really, really good. It is a wonderful blend of the best grapes used for dessert wine (42% Pinot Blanc, 40% Riesling, and 18% Sauvignon Blanc) and at a really great price point for sharing with friends. (But, you don’t have to if you love it as much as we do.)

Click Here to buy Lieb Cellars Reserve Dessert Wine

Alicia Ekeler-Valle
Director of Tasting Rooms