16th of november 2023
Which is the best dessert wine? Pairing wine and desserts
Without a doubt, dessert wines help to enhance a good meal. The right pairing is essential for you to get the most out of it. However, you cannot just choose at random and hope for the best. You must take into account a series of guidelines and characteristics if you want to get it right.
Why should we pair wine?
Wine pairing is the practice of matching different types of wine with certain foods to enhance flavours and create a more rounded culinary experience. Although there are no strict rules and everyone has their own individual preferences, the goal is to find harmony and balance in a mouthful.
The main reason for pairing wine lies in the interaction between its components and the ingredients present in the dishes. Keep in mind that each product has unique characteristics in terms of flavour, acidity, sweetness, body and aroma. All of these can be accentuated or not depending on the food chosen to accompany it.
When a good pairing is achieved, flavours and aromas intertwine harmoniously, creating an enriched sensory experience. For example, a red wine with soft tannins balances and softens the fat of a red meat, while a white wine with vibrant acidity enhances fresh seafood.
What’s more, contrasts are very important in wine pairing, as they create an interesting and exciting tasting experience. For example, thanks to their effervescence and acidity, sparkling wines, like Lumen Brut Reserva from Bodegas Bilbainas Winery can contrast fantastically with a sweet and creamy dessert, creating an explosion of flavours on the palate.
Guidelines for choosing a wine to pair with a dessert
As you have just seen, it is important to choose the right wine, as not all of them go well with every type of food. In the case of desserts, you should pay attention to several factors. The first is compatibility with sweetness. We must strike a balance between drinking and eating so that one does not overpower the other.
If you are looking for a wine for sweet desserts, you must consider that, if the dessert is very sweet, the wine has to match or exceed it a little. This will ensure that you don't perceive the drink as sour or bitter by comparison, which would destroy the experience. The same goes for the reverse. If it’s less sweet, the wine should match the food you are going to eat. In this way, you keep them balanced at all times.
On top of balance, the harmony of flavours is another key point. Pay attention to the flavours present in the dessert and make sure that the wine enhances them. In this respect, the combinations are limitless and will depend on both your knowledge and preferences. But, if you are going to try something with hints of caramel, fortified wines are a good option.
Finally, look for a contrast in textures. Desserts for pairing sparkling wines could be smooth and creamy. By choosing this combination, you get a refreshing feeling with interesting contrasts.
Which wine should I pair with a dessert?
Now that you know how to pair the wine and have some guidelines to follow, it is time to delve into the types of products you can choose from. However, the definitive choice must be based on your taste, which is unique. We recommend not sticking to a limited lists, as you will miss out on a very important part of the experience, which is that of exploring different flavours and possibilities.
That being said, a type of wine that is especially recommended for pairing with desserts, especially if they are sweet, are fortified wines. A port, sherry or marsala are some classic choices to start with. These are wines with a higher sugar content as well as a higher alcohol content. They´re good wines for dark chocolate, but also with blue cheeses and nuts.
On top of these, there are specific wines that can be enjoyed with desserts. They are produced after a late harvest and go well with light foods, such as fresh fruit. Some examples are sauternes or riesling, two wines with a good balance between acidity and sweetness.
On the other hand, sweet sparkling wines or semi-dry cavas are refreshing and versatile options that you are bound to enjoy. They also go well with fresh fruit, cake or lightly flavoured desserts. They are even suitable for light meals or the festive atmosphere of a special event. For example, Anna de Codorniu Ice Rosé is a perfect cava for pairing desserts.
If you are looking for a more exotic wine, ice wines are a very interesting option. These are made from frozen grapes varieties, which allows the sugar and flavours to be concentrated. However, don't think that this makes them extreme as they are quite balanced. They go perfectly with things like caramelised fruits and crèmes brulé.
Finally, natural sweet wines are characterised by a remarkable sweetness, which comes entirely from the grapes. No sugar or sweetener is added at any time, as only very specific ripe fruits are selected. They are then left to ferment partially to even out the flavour.
These wines complement a wide variety of desserts. They enhance notes of caramel, nuts, chocolate and even spices. Therefore, they can be eaten with cakes, pastries and cheeses. They are also suitable for very sweet desserts as they can reduce the sweetness thanks to their acidity.
If you choose the right dessert wines, you can enjoy surprising experiences. Always look for the combination that best enhances the flavours of the food and drink, but above all try different alternatives until you find the ones you like best. Don't forget that at 15 Bodegas online wine store you have a wide range of wines at your disposal that go perfectly with all kinds of desserts. Discover our collection!