Jonathan looks at these deliciously sweet dessert wines, perfect for your festive puddings.
Rich, sweet, honeyed pudding wines are the quintessential ending to any meal and the perfect accompaniment to Christmas Pudding. They pair perfectly with a number to different cheeses and can be enjoyed as an aperitif pre dinner.
I first encountered this style of wine at an early age whilst holidaying in France. The glorious region of Manbazillac in southwest France next to Bergerac, produces some of the best dessert wines around. Traditionally, the Sauternes region of Bordeaux is the home of sweet wines, but you are undoubtedly paying a premium for the name. A few miles east, Monbazillac has the answer and a lot cheaper. The grape blends are similar in both regions. Semillon, Sauvignon and Muscadelle, however Monbazillac wines tend to have a higher proportion of Muscadelle which add a slightly more floral character. Production is the same, the grapes are left longer on the vines and when ripe the fungus Botrytis forms which reduces the water content in the grape leaving a higher sugar content resulting in a sweeter wine. The conditions must be moist and due to smaller production, the finest wines can command extremely high prices.
Sweet reds are also becoming hugely popular. They make a perfect alternative to Port and go brilliantly with chocolate-based puddings. This Christmas will see the return at VIN of a beautiful dessert red from Uruguay. I introduced it a few Christmases ago and it proved extremely popular. Alcyone is made using the Tannat grape, famous for producing some classic reds from the Gascogne region of France but grown extensively in Uruguay. Its fortified (around 16% Alc) but has the smoothest of characters you will ever taste. It’s made by Pablo Fallabrino, a laid-back surfer who practices sustainable wine making without the use of insecticides and extremely low amounts of fungicide. He has a very laid-back attitude and takes chances in his approach to wine making which adds a distinctive style to his wines. We will be stocking several of his wines this festive season so keep a look out for them.
Whereas these dessert wines can be rich, sweet and heavy on their own, paired with the right kind of pudding they can add a whole new dimension to your Christmas feasts.
Château Ladesvigne Monbazillac 50cl - £26.49
Candied fruit, orange, apricots and a lingering finish with characters of figs.
Alcyone Tannat Uruguay 50cl - £23.99
Flavours of cocoa, vanilla and cherries. Simply beautiful!