Sweet wines are a complex and sophisticated category of wines that have a rich history and cultural significance. They are made using natural grape-growing and winemaking techniques that vary depending on the region and style.
Although many people consider sweet wines to be of low quality, especially for the young generation, they can be paired with a variety of foods. The term "sweet" may not accurately describe the exquisite aromas, flavours, and textures of these wines. Sweet wines can have bold and developed aromas with a sharp acidity that makes them delicious to drink on their own or with food.
FORTIFICATION
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There are several techniques used to make sweet wines, each offering a unique style. One such method is fortification, which involves adding grape spirit to the wine to increase its alcohol content. Port is a classic example of a fortified wine.
SAUTERNES
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Another technique is the noble rot, which is used to produce some of the most famous wines like Sauternes and Tokaji. This process involves a fungus called botrytis cinerea that grows on fully ripe grapes, giving the wine a honey, apricot, and dried fruit aroma.
Late harvest is another method for concentrating grape sugars by allowing the grapes to dry on the vine after full ripeness. This technique imparts a lovely over-ripe dried or tropical fruit flavour to the wine.
PASSITO
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Dried grape wines, also known as passito wines, are made by drying the grapes after they have been picked from the vine. This concentrates the sugars and flavours of the grapes, resulting in a delicious wine. Ice wine is made by freezing grapes on the vine, which intensifies the sugar content. Once frozen, the grapes are picked and crushed, leaving behind the frosty ice crystals and leading to a higher ratio of sugar in the liquid.
The natural processes involved in making sweet wines make them quite expensive, which is why they are often considered prestigious. Some of the most popular sweet wines in the world. These wines have a piercing acidity that makes them incredibly food-friendly, defying the notion that they are only meant to be enjoyed as dessert wines. It is a fun one if you love lesser-known wines. You can cheer with small bites and ham.
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