Fortified/Late Harvest/Dessert Wine

• Banyuls
• Brandy
• Tokaji
• Madeira
• Port
• Sauternes
• Sherry
• Vendange Tardive

In the series on the 1855 Classification of the First Growths, I spoke exclusively about red wines. In that same year, however, the sweet dessert wines from the Bordeaux communes of Barsac and Sauternes were also classified. All of the dessert wines listed were rated as either premier cru (first growth) or second growth status. That is, all but Yquem which was rated Premier Cru Superieur (First Great Growth), a higher rating even than any red wine achieved in their 1855 Classification. Yquem is quite possibly the greatest wine made anywhere and has a history dating back four hundred years! While every wine region has its stars, there is probably no other winery that so dominates the quality of a region and has such as a lofty reputation as Chateau Yquem. What makes these wines so special is that they develop a rot called botrytis cinera also known as Noble Rot. When certain grapes are attacked they get moldy which, in a wonderful twist of fate, causes the grapes to lose much of their moisture, concentrating the flavors. The resulting grapes look like moldy shriveled raisins that produce a sweet nectar.

Alicante isn't Spain's largest or most famous wine region. In fact, Alicante is fairly small, and it tends to be overshadowed by its better-known neighbors, Jumilla and Valencia. Alicante has much to offer the wine lover, however, particularly Fondillón, made from monastrell grapes and unique to this DO. Alicante's other wines, particularly its reds, have steadily worked their way up into the ranks of Spain's top-scorers, and the region's award-winning moscatels are also worth trying.

It's hard to find someone who dislikes a good crumble at the end of a meal (or for a sinister midnight snack). IntoWine.com asked our panel of wine experts to recommend a dessert wine to serve with fruit cobblers and crumbles: To more accurately answer this question, it really does depend on the type of cobbler or crumble. If the fruit base is red berry, then a red based dessert wine is called for. My favorite, crumbles and cobblers are, however, apple and peach. For those, a white grape based dessert wine makes sense. I would look to those from the Loire valley in France. For my money, the very best of these is from the Baumard winery and the Quart de Chaumes appellation. Right now the 2005 and 2006 Baumard Quarts de Chaumes are available in the market. 2005 was a fantastic vintage in the Loire. 2006, while classic, is not far behind. Both have great acidity that makes for a grand food match. Buy the 2005 Baumard Quarts de Chaumes As a bonus, these wines are available in half bottle formats (375 ml). A little dessert wine goes a long way. A half bottle can serve 6 (maybe 8) people for dessert. These wines are not inexpensive though. A half bottle can cost $35. Yet, this is one of the greatest bottles of wine in the world. The wine has wonderful apple and peach notes with hints of vanilla. It is slightly sweet but will not overpower a sweet dessert. The acidity brings everything together wonderfully. It is certain to be the hit of any dinner party. - Loren Sonkin , IntoWine.com Featured Contributor and the Founder/Winemaker at Sonkin Cellars.

Muscat Beaumes de Venise is a light and sweet nectar of the Gods, with an aroma of rose petals and tropical fruit and a taste of candied oranges dripping with honey. It makes me glad for summer, because it is the perfect summer dessert wine.