A Quick Guide to Pairing Dessert With Wine

What could possibly make wine even better? Pairing it with dessert. Many people may be surprised at the thought of this, but it is actually quite a popular thing to do. Most desserts are served with tea or coffee, but Italians serve dessert with wines, and you can too. The most important rule to remember is that the wine should be sweeter than the dessert.

Chocolate & Caramel

Chocolate is cherished worldwide and used in a myriad of dessert dishes. Some desserts are purely chocolate with caramel while other chocolate desserts are decorated with scrumptious toppings. If you are planning to serve a heavenly chocolate dessert at your next gathering, you will want to consider pairing it with vintage Ports that have black-fruit flavors, Australian Shiraz, Grenache, Banyuls or Grappa.

Custards & Vanilla

Many desserts are filled with delectable creamy custards and vanilla flavors. Vanilla is one of the most prominent ingredients used in desserts. When you are serving a light, buttery, mild dessert that contains custard or vanilla, white and sparkling wines such as late harvest Riesling, demi-sec Champagne and Asti Spumanti are the best options. One tip to remember is the lighter the color of your dessert, the lighter the wine choice should be.

Fruits

Fruit tarts and pies are popular desserts that are enjoyed at many family functions and celebrations. Pies are filled with warm, melted fruit such as apples, peaches, blueberries and much more. Desserts that contain fruit pair well with white wines such as late-harvest Gewirtztraminer and Sauternes.

You may have noticed that most of the recommended wine choices are late-harvest wines. These wines are made with grapes that are left on the vine past normal picking times. As the grape ripens, the sugar levels increase, resulting in a sweeter tasting wine. Remember to always choose a wine that is sweeter than the dessert itself and try to match the color hue. Get creative and surprise your family and friends with a delectable dessert and wine pairing. It’s a match made in food and wine heaven that you’ll surely fall in love with.