Italian Dessert Wines: A Sweet Journey You Must Try!
Are you ready to go on a tasty trip? Today, we're visiting Italy but not going for pizza or pasta. We're going for something sweet and exciting – dessert wines!
Italy is not just famous for its food, history, or beautiful places. It's also known for making some of the best wines in the world, including sweet wines that are perfect after a meal or with dessert.
But what makes a wine a 'dessert wine'? It's simple: dessert wines are sweeter than regular ones. They are made with special grapes that are very ripe or even dried to concentrate their sweetness. This sweetness makes them perfect to enjoy with a sweet treat or even on their own.
From the sunny vineyards of Sicily to the green hills of Tuscany, Italian dessert wines come from this beautiful country. Each wine is different, just like the regions they come from. They are as sweet and welcoming as a smile from an Italian nonna!
So come on, let's start our journey through the sweet world of Italian dessert wines. Whether you're a wine expert or someone who loves trying new tastes, a delicious discovery is waiting for you.
It's time to say 'saluti' (cheers) to the sweet life!
A Quick Guide to Italian Sweet Wines: Unveiling Flavors from Every Region
From the sparkling Moscato d'Asti of Piedmont to the rich Recioto della Valpolicella of Veneto, sweet Italian wines offer an alluring journey for the senses. Each of these wines reveals the unique terroir and tradition of the region it comes from, be it the sun-drenched island of Pantelleria or the rolling hills of Tuscany. Explore the varieties of grapes, styles, and potential alcohol levels in this quick guide to Italian dessert wines, and let your taste buds embark on an Italian adventure.
Moscato d'Asti: The Sparkling Sweetheart from Piedmont
Marenco Strev Moscato d'Asti 2021
Get ready to start our sweet journey with Moscato d'Asti!
What is Moscato d'Asti? It's a special white wine that has a little bit of sparkle. It comes from a region called Piedmont in the northwest of Italy.
Moscato d'Asti is made from a type of grape called Moscato Bianco. The best ones come from the province of Asti, but you can also find good ones from the nearby provinces of Alessandria and Cuneo.
This wine is sweet and doesn't have much alcohol, so it's perfect as a dessert wine. It's related to another wine called Asti, which comes from the same area and is made from the same grape.
Moscato d'Asti is not as bubbly as some other sparkling wines. It has a light sparkle, so we call it 'frizzante.'
When you smell this wine, you will notice it has a beautiful floral and fruity scent. You might smell orange flowers, pears, and golden apples. It's like a summer day in a glass!
When you taste Moscato d'Asti, you'll find it's very sweet and juicy. It has flavors of ripe stone fruits, tart citrus fruits, and sweet honey.
You can enjoy Moscato d'Asti with many different foods. But it's especially good with light cakes or small pastries. Enjoy your sweet journey with Moscato d'Asti!
Brachetto d'Acqui: The Sparkling Ruby Delight from Piedmont
Next, we find Brachetto d'Acqui, a sparkling sweet red wine from Piedmont, the same region that gives us Moscato d'Asti. But this time, we're around Acqui Terme, mainly in Alessandria and partly in Asti.
Braida Brachetto d'Acqui
Brachetto d'Acqui has a special classification, DOCG, that guarantees its quality and origin. This wine is made from the Brachetto grape, which grows in Piedmont.
What does Brachetto d'Acqui taste like? Well, it's sweet but also fresh, which makes it easy and enjoyable to drink. This wine can be still (no bubbles) or sparkling. The sparkling kind can be lightly sparkling, which we call 'frizzante,' or fully sparkling, which is 'spumante.'
Here's what you should remember about Brachetto d'Acqui:
Flavor: This wine has a beautiful ruby color and a sweet taste. It's a pleasure to sip because it balances sweetness and freshness perfectly.
Grape Variety: Brachetto d'Acqui is made from 100% Brachetto grapes. These grapes give the wine its lovely aroma and vibrant red color.
Alcohol Content: Brachetto d'Acqui is light in alcohol. The 'frizzante' kind has at least 5% alcohol, and the 'spumante' has at least 6%.
Pairing: Brachetto d'Acqui is a good friend to many foods. It goes well with fresh fruits, pastries, fancy desserts, strawberries, salads, and other sweet treats.
So, why not add sparkle to your sweet journey with Brachetto d'Acqui!
Passito di Pantelleria: The Sun-kissed Golden Elixir of Italy
Our sweet journey takes us to a sunny island next. This island, called Pantelleria, is between Sicily and Tunisia, where Passito di Pantelleria comes from. This wine is made from a grape called Muscat of Alexandria, which is dried in the sun on mats. This process is why we call it 'passito.'
Pantelleria Vineyards for Sweet wine
What should you expect from Passito di Pantelleria?
Flavor: This is a sweet wine with a golden color. You'll notice intense aromas of apricots, honey, and dried figs when you smell it. You'll find rich flavors of dried fruit, honey, and caramel when you taste it.
Production: Making Passito di Pantelleria is a careful process. After the grapes are dried in the sun, they are squished and fermented. Then, the wine is aged in oak barrels for a few months. This process concentrates the sugars and flavors, making the wine rich and sweet.
Alcohol Content: Passito di Pantelleria is stronger than some other dessert wines. It has at least 14% alcohol.
Pairing: This wine is a great partner for many desserts. It goes well with fruit tarts, cheesecake, and chocolate cake. If you like blue cheese or foie gras, you'll find it pairs nicely with these.
Passito di Pantelleria is a golden treasure from a sunny island. Discover its rich, sweet flavors on your sweet journey!
Vin Santo: The Heavenly Amber Nectar of Tuscany
Next stop on our journey, we're heading to Tuscany, where we find Vin Santo. While this sweet wine is mainly made in Tuscany, you can also find Vin Santo from other parts of Italy.
Flavor: Vin Santo is a sweet wine that can be golden or amber in color. It smells like dried fruits, honey, and caramel. When you taste it, you'll find it's full-bodied, which means it feels thick and rich in your mouth. It has flavors of nuts, figs, and spices.
Production: Winemakers use white grapes like Trebbiano and Malvasia to make Vin Santo. The grapes are dried on mats or hung on racks inside, which makes them sweeter and more flavorful. After the grapes are squished, the juice is fermented in small barrels or casks. The wine is aged in these barrels for a few years, which makes it even more flavorful.
Alcohol Content: Vin Santo is a strong dessert wine. It has at least 16% alcohol.
Pairing: Vin Santo goes well with many desserts. It's especially good with biscotti, cantucci, and other cookies made with almonds. If you like blue cheese or foie gras, you'll find it pairs nicely with these.
If you want Vin Santo to try, look for Avignonesi Vin Santo di Montepulciano, Felsina Vin Santo del Chianti Classico, or Castello di Volpaia Vin Santo del Chianti Classico.
Vin Santo is a special, flavorful wine for anyone who loves sweet and complex dessert wines. Enjoy this heavenly nectar on your sweet journey!
Sciacchetrà: The Sweet Heritage of Cinque Terre
Our sweet journey takes us to the beautiful hills of Cinque Terre next, where Sciacchetrà is made. This sweet white wine is made from dried grapes, also called 'passito.'
Hills of Cinque Terre
Here's what you should know about Sciacchetrà:
Grape Blend: Sciacchetrà mostly consists of Bosco grapes (90%). The other 10% comes from Albarola and Vermentino grapes.
Flavor: This wine is sweet and complex. It has flavors of dried fruit, honey, and caramel. It's often enjoyed as a dessert wine with sweet treats or cheese.
Production: To make Sciacchetrà, the grapes are dried on mats or hung on racks. This process makes the grapes sweeter and more flavorful. After the grapes are squished, the juice is fermented. This process can take at least two years, which makes the wine even more flavorful.
Cultural Tradition: Sciacchetrà is more than just a wine in Cinque Terre. It's part of the region's identity, passed down through generations. It's a symbol of local culture and heritage.
Pairing: Sciacchetrà goes well with many desserts, like pastries, cakes, and fruit-based desserts. If you like cheese, especially aged or blue cheese, it pairs nicely with these, too.
Sciacchetrà is a respected and prestigious wine from Cinque Terre. You'll find it as an after-dinner drink in local wine shops and on restaurant menus. If you visit Cinque Terre, trying Sciacchetrà is essential for an authentic experience.
Malvasia delle Lipari: A Volcanic Kiss to Your Palate from the Aeolian Islands
Our sweet journey around Italy takes us to the Aeolian Islands, where the delicious Italian sweet wine Malvasia delle Lipari is made. This wine comes from the Malvasia grape, which grows on these islands off the northeastern coast of Sicily.
Here's what you should know about Malvasia delle Lipari:
Grape Variety: The main grape used in Malvasia delle Lipari is a sub-variety of Malvasia called Malvasia Bianca di Lipari.
Flavor: This Italian dessert wine is sweet, golden, or amber in color and has an intense aroma. You can smell dried fruit, honey, and caramel. When you taste it, you'll find it's full-bodied, which means it feels thick and rich in your mouth. It has flavors of apricot, fig, and dates.
Production: To make this sweet Italian wine, the Malvasia grapes are dried on mats or hung on racks. This process makes the grapes sweeter and more flavorful. After the grapes are squished, the juice is fermented. The fermentation process is stopped early to keep some sugar in the wine, making it sweet.
Alcohol Content: Malvasia delle Lipari is a strong dessert wine. It has at least 14% alcohol.
Pairing: This sweet wine from Italy goes well with many desserts. It's especially good with fruit tarts, cheesecake, and chocolate cake. If you like blue cheese or foie gras, you'll find it pairs nicely with these.
The most famous wine from this region is Malvasia delle Lipari Passito (DOC), a sweet wine with a strong and appealing flavor. If you're looking for Malvasia delle Lipari to try, look for Hauner Malvasia delle Lipari Passito DOC, Hauner Malvasia delle Lipari DOC, or Caravaggio Malvasia delle Lipari.
Malvasia delle Lipari is a special, flavorful Italian sweet wine for anyone who loves complex dessert wines. Enjoy this volcanic kiss on your sweet journey!
Recioto della Valpolicella: A Velvety Red Treat from the Veneto Region
The final leg of our sweet Italian journey takes us to the northeastern Veneto region, known for its luscious dessert wine, Recioto della Valpolicella. This sweet red wine boasts an intricate blend of local grape varieties and a unique production method.
Here's what you should know about Recioto della Valpolicella:
Grape Varieties: This wine is a beautiful blend of several grape varieties - Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Molinara.
Flavor: With an intense ruby-red color, Recioto della Valpolicella's sweetness comes with aromatic notes of plum, cherry, and raspberry, coupled with hints of vanilla spice. As you sip, your taste buds will dance with the full-bodied flavor of dried fruit, chocolate, and coffee.
Production: The making of this sweet Italian wine starts with drying the grapes on mats or racks, intensifying their sugars and flavors. The fermentation process is halted prematurely, preserving some sugar in the wine, thus giving it its signature sweetness.
Alcohol Content: This sweet red wine is not shy on alcohol, possessing a minimum alcohol level of 12%.
Pairing: A versatile partner at the table, Recioto della Valpolicella pairs perfectly with various desserts, from chocolate cake to fruit tarts and cheesecake. Its affinity with blue cheese and foie gras makes it a delightful cheese course companion.
Recioto della Valpolicella often gets compared with Amarone, another red wine from the same region. While they share similar grape varieties and production methods, Amarone is a dry wine, in contrast to the sweet Recioto della Valpolicella.
Notable wines in this category include Bertani Recioto della Valpolicella, Tommasi Recioto della Valpolicella, and Musella Recioto della Valpolicella. If you're after a sweet, complex dessert wine, then Recioto della Valpolicella is a perfect choice. Savor this velvety red treat and complete your sweet Italian wine journey!
Italian sweet wines are like a special treat. They're made in many parts of Italy, each with a story. Each wine is different and delicious, from the bubbly Moscato d'Asti to the bold Recioto della Valpolicella.
Think of wine as a little journey in a glass. When you taste a wine, you're tasting the story of where it came from and how it was made. The flavors you enjoy come from the grapes, the soil they grew in, the sun that shone on them, and the hard work of the people who made the wine.
You can find many of these great wines on Wine.com. And guess what? If you buy them through our links, you'll support our blog too! That way, we can keep sharing the wonderful world of wine with you. So, why not try a glass of sweet Italian wine today? It'll be a sweet adventure you'll love!
Here's to your next glass of sweet Italian wine!
Cheers!
Alper, Advanced Sommelier - Court of Master Sommeliers
