“The sweetness of grape juice and the strength of cognac create a between delicate and powerful flavors at the same time,” Floch says. This flavor-packed expression from Parkis is loaded with floral-driven flavors of juicy stone fruit, honey, and spice. “Pineau des Charentes is made by wine growers and is the only AOC in all of France to be made from grape juice and cognac ” Floch explains, noting that most expressions show flavors of vanilla, nuts, honey, and spice. Floch explains that Pineau des Charentes is made exclusively in Charente and Charente-Maritime, both located in western France. Although technically not wine, this grape juice / cognac based product is one of France’s most unique alcoholic beverages. Never heard of Pineau des Charentes before? If you love sweet booze, this will definitely be up your alley. Region: Charente, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France | ABV: 17% | Tasting Notes: Stone fruit, Honey, spice Sauternes works as a counter pairing to both spicy cuisine and richer dishes like gorgonzola risotto, butter-drenched lobster or grilled scallops, or even corn on the cob – and of course, seared foie gras,” he reveals. Good to Know: Raftery also explains that in addition to pairing beautifully with dessert, well-made sweet wines also make great savory pairings, too. Raftery cites decadent notes of honeycomb, ginger, and vanilla cream from the wine, describing it as everything you want from Sauternes, yet doesn’t break the bank. “Just like the dry wines of the region, many producers release a second wine at a more affordable price for earlier consumption: enter Petit Guiraud, the second wine of Château Guiraud, a top estate (one of only 11 chateaux classified as 1er Grand Cru in 1855) dating back to 1766,” he says. When seeking out great dessert wines, Chris Raftery, sommelier at Gramercy Tavern, recommends looking to second releases from top producers. Region: Sauternes, Bordeaux, France | ABV: 13.5% | Tasting Notes: Honeycomb, Ginger, Vanilla cream "Harder cheeses and their crystalline texture need a little less acidity." "Basically any delicious dessert wine will go well with cheese, but you'll want to look for higher acid wines to cut through soft and fatty cheeses such as Brillat-Savarin (triple cream) or a pungent bleu like Roquefort," says Kaner. Good to Know: When pairing wine with cheese, Kaner recommends keeping acidity in mind. Serve with spicy Thai favorites, pungent blue cheeses or a bowl of fruit. This off-dry bottle boasts flavors of canned pears, ripe melon, tropical yellow fruit and honey-think of it as sweet French nectar in a glass. Vouvray is regarded as one of the best growing sites in the world for chenin blanc (known locally as Pineau de la Loire). This sustainably-farmed wine is produced by Didier Champalou, a Loire Valley-based vigneron who’s been farming vineyards since 1983. Region: Vouvray, Loire Valley, France | ABV: 13% | Tasting notes: Canned pears, Tropical fruit, Honey “There is nothing quite like the taste of a fresh and fruity ruby port paired with a chocolate-covered strawberry or a rich and nutty 20-year-old tawny port paired with creme brûlée.” “You can enjoy drinking it young or old, ruby or tawny, and not just on its own, but also in cocktails,” he explains, citing that Port not only pairs well with many foods but also enhances them. Zach Mazur, Port Specialist for Taylor Fladgate, Croft, & Fonseca notes that port’s dynamism is what makes it so great. Ruby-hued in color, the wine shows flavors of red and dark fruits, plums, cherries, and a touch of dried fig. The wine ages in large wooden vats for three years prior to release and is meant to be consumed young. This youthful and expressive wine is produced from low-yielding old vines in the Cima Corgo region of the Douro. Region: Douro, Portugal | ABV: 19.5% | Tasting Notes: Red and dark fruits, Cherries, Dried figįorget the mass-produced ports you’ve tasted in the past-this organic gem from Niepoort is as game-changing as it gets.
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