A good dessert wine turns the end of a meal into an occasion. French sweet wines range from lightly sweet and aromatic to rich and honeyed, and a little goes a long way. This guide explains the main styles, how to serve them and what to pair them with.
What makes a wine sweet?
Sweetness comes from natural grape sugar that is left in the wine rather than fully converted to alcohol during fermentation. Winemakers can leave grapes on the vine longer so they ripen further and concentrate their sugars, or stop fermentation early so some sweetness remains. The best sweet wines balance that sugar with fresh acidity, so they taste rich but never cloying.
Sweet wine styles
- Off-dry: a gentle touch of sweetness. Great with spicy food as well as dessert.
- Medium-sweet: noticeably sweet but still fresh. Ideal with fruit desserts and cheese.
- Sweet / dessert: rich and luscious, best served in small glasses with dessert or blue cheese.
Our French sweet wines
Volutes Sweet Viognier
Rich yet fresh, with notes of dried apricot and orange peel, a mellow palate and a fresh finish. Lovely with fruit tarts and creamy desserts.
Vigier Cuvee Mathilde
An award-winning organic sweet white with a golden colour and a syrupy nose. White-fleshed fruits such as peach lead, with candied and dried apricot behind. A beautiful match for creme brulee or a cheese board.
Collines du Bourdic Gewurztraminer
Deep golden with an expressive nose of rose and cinnamon, leading to a sweet and spicy finish. Try it with spiced desserts, or with Asian dishes that have a little heat.
Off-dry option: Kowerich For Dreamers & Heroes Riesling
Not strictly a dessert wine, this off-dry Mosel Riesling from Germany has pear, melon and slate notes. It is a great bridge between dinner and dessert, and excellent with spicy food.
Shop Kowerich For Dreamers & Heroes
Dessert wine pairing
| Dessert | Try |
|---|---|
| Fruit tart, peach or apricot desserts | Volutes Sweet Viognier |
| Creme brulee, custard, cheesecake | Vigier Cuvee Mathilde |
| Spiced or ginger desserts | Gewurztraminer |
| Blue cheese | Vigier Cuvee Mathilde |
| Spicy main course | Kowerich off-dry Riesling |
Tip: the wine should be at least as sweet as the dessert. If the dessert is sweeter, the wine can taste thin.
How to serve dessert wine
- Temperature: well chilled, around 8 to 10°C.
- Glass: a small white wine glass. Dessert wine is served in smaller pours than table wine.
- Once opened: re-cork and keep in the fridge. Most sweet wines stay fresh for several days.
Dessert wine FAQ
What is the difference between dessert wine and sweet wine?
The terms overlap. "Dessert wine" usually means a wine sweet enough to serve with or as dessert. "Sweet wine" covers everything from off-dry to fully sweet.
Should dessert wine be chilled?
Yes. Serving it cold keeps the sweetness fresh and balanced.
What cheese goes with dessert wine?
Sweet whites are a classic match for blue cheese, and also work well with aged hard cheeses.
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