The seductive world of sweet wines

The world of wine offers a variety of flavors and styles, and one of the most fascinating is undoubtedly sweet wine. They are a real treat and enjoy great popularity all over the world. But what exactly are sweet wines and how are they made? Let's take a look at that below.

What exactly are sweet wines?

The definition of the EU regulation states that a wine with at least 45g of sugar per liter is considered a sweet wine. However, many dessert wines have a much higher residual sugar content. Sugar can be artificially added or naturally preserved. In this post, we focus on the latter category.

How are naturally sweet wines made?

Sweet wine is made from grapes that are allowed to ripen on the vine for a longer period of time than in the production of dry wine. As a result, higher levels of sugar develop in the grapes, which are not completely converted into alcohol during the fermentation process. The result is a wine with a natural residual sugar content that gives it its characteristic and natural sweetness.

A world of flavor

There is a wide range of sweet wines representing different grape varieties, growing regions and production methods. Of particular importance is the German Riesling occupies a particularly high position. Its naturally higher acidity creates an extraordinarily exciting interplay between fruity sweetness and invigorating acidity as a valuable counterpart. Other recommended highlights are the world-famous and highly renowned sweet wines of Gerhard Kracher from Austria, the noble Sauternes from France or the Hungarian Tokay wines with their golden color and notes of apricots and honey.

Perfect for any occasion

Sweet wines are not only suitable as accompaniments to desserts, but can also be enjoyed as an aperitif or with savory dishes. A noble ice wine, for example, goes perfectly with festive occasions and is an excellent choice for special moments. Sweet wines are also an excellent complement to cheese or foie gras.

Appellations and methods

There are different methods of producing sweet wine. The declaration is made with the designations Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese and Eiswein. In Austria also with Ausbruch or straw wine.

Spätlese

The Spätlese refers to a harvest of grapes that takes place at least seven days later than the normal main harvest. As a rule, late-ripening grape varieties are used, such as Riesling or Pinot Noir. The longer ripening process on the vine increases the sugar content in the grapes. A late harvest wine often has a more intense aroma and a higher residual sweetness than a wine from the regular harvest.

Auslese, Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA)

If the grapes are harvested even later than the late harvest wines, they are called Auslese, Beerenauslese or Trockenbeerenauslese. For the latter two, only fully ripe and healthy grapes are used, which have been attacked by Botrytis Cinerea, a noble mold Through this so-called noble rot, they have developed a high level of sugar and aromas. The long ripening of the grapes gives the wine a pronounced fruit sweetness and a high concentration of aromas.

During the Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) are wines with the highest sugar content. In this case, the berries are harvested by hand and produced in small quantities. Most of the water content of the grape has already evaporated, leaving only a small amount of juice, which is then made into a very concentrated and sweet wine. The production of a Trockenbeerenauslese requires a lot of experience and craftsmanship, since the grapes are very sensitive to temperature changes and humidity, and the wine must be fermented very slowly. The finished wine is very sweet and often has aromas of honey, marzipan and dried fruit.

Ice wine is made from grapes harvested at a minimum of minus 7 degrees Celsius while still frozen. It is therefore mainly produced in colder climates such as Canada, Germany and Austria. However, harvesting is not possible every year, as the conditions of temperature and the latest possible harvesting time must be met. The freezing process allows the grapes to develop sugars and flavors in higher concentrations and the acidity is preserved, resulting in a unique taste experience. It is important for this to happen that the frozen grapes are pressed immediately after harvesting, so that the frozen part of the water remains in the grapes. The result is a concentrated, sweet and fruity wine with a high sugar content and a lively acid structure. Unfortunately, only in a very low yield, which is why ice wine is considered a particularly noble and sophisticated dessert wine.

Straw wine is a sweet dessert wine made from dried grapes. The grapes are dried on straw mats or in well-ventilated areas for several months to extract as much water as possible from the grapes and to obtain the most concentrated must with aromas and sugars. They are then gently pressed and the juice is fermented and stored in oak barrels. The high sugar content and intense aromas make straw wine a valued accompaniment to desserts and strong cheeses.

The art of storage

Sweet wines have great aging potential and develop even more complex flavors over time. Some of the best sweet wines in the world are aged for decades to bring out their full glory. If you're interested in sweet wines, you should also look for aged vintages to achieve the ultimate enjoyment experience.

Conclusion

The seductive world of sweet wines offers an extensive selection that will enchant your palate. Whether you're already a connoisseur or just beginning your journey into the world of sweet wines stands.

Its complex aromatics, its multiple flavors and its potential for aging make it an indispensable part of the wine world.