Unique Dessert Wines from Around the World

In the world of dessert wines Ports from Portugal, and Sauternes from Bordeaux rule. When I saw that my favorite wine shop, K&L Wine Merchants was dong a tasting called "Unique Dessert Wines From Around The World" I was eager to see what other regions of the world have to offer. Not only was the wine geek in me curious, it's also been my experience that lesser known wine regions can often offer outstanding Quality-Price Ratio ("QPR").

The tasting was not only geographically diverse (Austria, Hungary, Canada, Greece, and lesser known regions of France - Loire, Languedoc, and Alsace), it also offered a variety of both late harvest, and fortified stickies made from both white and red grapes. There was also a variety of treats to pair with the wines including various cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery, and chocolates from The Chocolate Garage.

We tasted the wines in the following order:

• 2009 Weiss Grüner Veltliner Fahrenheit 19 Ice Wine 88 Points

  Austria, Burgenland

  Light yellow with gold tinged color with pear, brown sugar, and faint floral aromas. On the palate approaching medium bodied with very good acidity, and nectarine, spice flavors. Medium finish.
  
  http://enofylz.wordpress.com

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2008 Union of Winemaking Cooperatives of Samos Muscat Vin Doux 88 Points

  Greece, Aegean, Samos

  Yellow gold color with peach liqueur, apricot, and spice aromas. On the palate medium light bodied with honeyed citrus, spiced apricot jam flavors. Medium-long finish.
  
  http://enofylz.wordpress.com

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2008 Château Pierre-Bise Coteaux du Layon-Beaulieu Les Rouannières 90 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Coteaux du Layon-Beaulieu

  Light yellow gold color with muted candied apple,and almond aromas. On the palate medium bodied with tropical, apple, and pear flavors with a hint of nutty savoriness. Long finish
  
  http://enofylz.wordpress.com

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2007 Beck-Hartweg Gewurztraminer Sélection de Grains Nobles 91 Points

  France, Alsace

  Light yellow color with nutty, peach, mineral aromas. On the palate medium bodied, well balanced with very good acidity and peach, spice, and slight mineral flavors. Long finish.
  
  http://enofylz.wordpress.com

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2006 Royal Tokaji Wine Co. Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 91 Points

  Hungary, Tokaji

  Golden honey color with aromas of apricot, honey, alcohol. On the palate viscous, with apricot, honey and faint mineral notes. Long finish.
  
  http://enofylz.wordpress.com

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2001 Tokaj Hétszőlő Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 94 Points

  Hungary, Tokaji

  Golden yellow color with vivid aromas of apricot and orange peel. On the palate viscous, balanced with harmonious streak of acidity, and intense apricot and orange flavors with a hint of minerality. Long finish.
  
  http://enofylz.wordpress.com

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2008 Henry of Pelham Cabernet Franc Icewine 89 Points

  Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Short Hills Bench VQA

  Pretty rosy dark pink color with sweet red fruit aromas. Palate follows with vibrant cherry and raspberry flavors; medium bodied with light tannins and medium-long finish
  
  http://enofylz.wordpress.com

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2007 Mas L'Avail Maury Expression 89 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Maury

  Fortified wine; very dark garnet almost inky color with aromas of cherry liquer, sweet tobacco,spice and floral notes. On the palate red fruit, and spice with good acidity and a touch of fine grained tannins. Medium long finish. It was fantastic with dark chocolate!
  
  http://enofylz.wordpress.com

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

After taking care of business tasting this group of outstanding dessert wines, it was time to enjoy a few different food pairings. Hands down my favorite pairing was the Henry of Pelham Cabernet Franc Ice Wine and a dark chocolate from Madagascar. It was simply a sublime pairing! I also enjoyed the classic Roquefort cheese and Tokaji pairing, though I must confess I've never had cheese for my dessert course.

I always look forward to furthering my wine education, and this was a very good opportunity. I tasted Tokaji for the first time, which I've been eager to do, and I now have a better understanding of which types of dessert wines to pair with which types of desserts, and which might be better on a stand-alone basis for dessert. All in all a sweet start to the weekend!