Just Desserts: Exploring the World of Sweet Wines

Sweet wines are among the most diverse, complex, and misunderstood wines in the world. In this engaging guided tasting, we will explore a range of fortified and unfortified sweet wines while discovering the many techniques winemakers use to create sweetness, concentration, and balance. Through examples from notable wine regions around the world, you may taste styles such as Sauternes, Tokaji, Ice Wine, Late Harvest wines, Moscato d’Asti, Port, Sherry, Madeira, Vin Santo, Beerenauslese, and Muscat de Rivesaltes. Along the way, you will learn how sweetness can be achieved through noble rot, late harvesting, dried grapes, frozen grapes, arrested fermentation, and fortification. We will also compare regional styles, discuss aging potential, and explore food pairings that extend well beyond traditional desserts. Whether you already love sweet wines or are curious to give them another chance, this class will help you select, serve, pair, and enjoy them with greater confidence. Please note: Wines pictured are representative of those that may be tasted in class but are not guaranteed.