Buy Sweet Wine Online
Sweet dreams are made of this! Sweet wines have a history that goes back centuries as before modern refrigeration was invented, increasing the sugar content in wines was a great way to keep them stable and make sure they lasted.
The definition has long been up for debate, but it is widely agreed that common characteristics are a pronounced sweeter flavour and higher alcohol content than other varieties of wine. Many people think they can only be enjoyed with a dessert, however, many wine experts encourage enjoying one of these delightful wines during any time in the meal.
They can generally be categorized into two types: fortified (such as port and sherry) and unfortified (ice wine). These wines can also be made from a variety of different grapes so you can have a red wine, white wine or even sparkling depending on what takes your fancy.
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Boschendal Vin D`Or Late Harvest, Western Cape, South Africa 2023
£12.59 Mix 12£13.99 list priceSave £1.40 -
Hermanos Torrontes Sweet Natural, Valle de Cafayate, Salta , Argentina 2019 Half Bottle
£13.49 Mix 12£14.99 list priceSave £1.50 -
White Castle Vineyard, 1581 Fortified Wine, Monmouth, 2017 37.5cl
£27.00 Mix 12£30.00 list priceSave £3.00
How is it made?
In winemaking the grape sugar is converted into alcohol during the fermentation process, and this is what makes a wine taste dry. The key to making this type of wine is to ensure there’s sugar remaining in the wine after fermentation. There are a few different methods that winemakers use to achieve delicious wine.
- Before fermentation: The aim of this is to make sure the sugar levels are concentrated at the beginning, so that the sugar will survive the process without being transformed into alcohol. This can be achieved by freezing or drying out the grapes.
- During fermentation: Winemakers who use this method make sure the fermentation process is interrupted halfways through, and they will remove any yeast in the wine by filtering or fortifying. Yeast is what converts the sugar into alcohol, so by removing it the sugar remains in the wine untouched.
- After fermentation: Winemakers can achieve sweetness after fermentation by blending the wine with naturally sugary liquid such as grape juice.
The perfect pairing
As we mentioned earlier, it can be delicious with all kinds of desserts. It’s generally agreed amongst wine experts to choose a wine that’s sweeter than the food you’re about to eat, to make sure you avoid any kind of bitter aftertaste. We’ve compiled just a few favourites of ours and what food brings out the best in them.
- Gewürztraminer: This is a highly floral white wine which is commonly produced in Germany. Because it’s so floral, it makes a perfect partner for desserts with pear or peach as the main ingredient.
- Moscato: Fizzy, floral and fruity – moscato has it all! Moscato is a versatile wine which complements any dish from biscotti to fruit tarts.
- Riesling: Hailing from Germany, Riesling has a natural acidity which cuts through the sweetness and works wonders when paired with citrus fruit-based desserts, for example lemon cake or sorbet.
What kind of glass should I drink it from?
Typical glasses for these types of wine are smaller than other traditional wine glasses, due to the higher alcohol content. They will usually have a tall, narrow bowl to allow you to swirl the wine to release the aromas, and are usually made ergonomically to direct the wine slowly down the center of the mouth to allow time to enjoy the sweetness. Find out everything you need to know about wine glasses and decanters on our blog.
Impress at your next dinner party
You never stop learning, so why not impress your next dinner party guests with some fantastic knowledge as well as wine.
You’d think fungus shouldn’t be involved in the wine making process, right? You’d be forgiven for thinking that when in fact something called noble rot is an important part in the making of dessert wines. Also known as Botrytis cinerea, the fungus can help create incredible wines by dehydrating the grapes and encouraging increased sugar and flavours. Wine experts will often say that noble rots adds a honey or ginger flavour, which is very why it’s used so often in the production of these types of wines.
What kind of does Fine Wines Direct UK offer?
We offer a cornucopia of wines for every nose and palette. Our Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro has a voluptuous mouth feel and floral perfumes, and tastes beautiful at a recommended 8ºC. Another favourite is our Hermanos Torrontes Sweet Natural, Valle de Cafayate, which captivates with aromas of jasmine and rose petal. If you’re looking for a burst of citrus, our Boschendal Vin D`Or Late Harvest has an explosion of kumquat on the palate and a zesty finish. These beautiful, diverse wines are just a selection of our elegant wine collection, including all types of red and white wine.
Why buy from Fine Wines Direct UK?
It’s safe to say that we know what we’re talking about when it comes to wine: we have over 100 years combined experience working in the wine trade. We work incredibly hard to source the best wines to suit every palate from around the world, straight to your door. Lots of the wine we stock are exclusive to Fine Wines Direct UK, you won’t be able to find them anywhere else in the country. We work closely with vineyard owners and always look to source only the most high quality products. We know we’re biased but we truly there’s no better place to buy wine online.
If you’d prefer you can pop into our shop in Cardiff and talk with one of our experts who will be happy to advise you about what wine would suit your tastes, and we also offer an outstanding array of white and red wine. It can be difficult to pick a selection when there’s so much choice, which is why we offer mixed cases where our experts curate the perfect range to suit you. If you join our Cellar Wine Club you can access exclusive discounts such as savings of at least 10% on every case and early-bird offers on new wines.