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- 7 Types of Dessert Wine You Should Try in 2025
Nestled in Bordeaux, the village of Sauternes lies under a steady mist, where noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) shrivels the grapes on the vines and concentrates their flavors to yield the world’'s most sought-after dessert wines, full of nuanced citrus, honey and floral notes. The most famous is Château d’'Yquem, which typically goes for more than $490, while other Grand Crus fetch over $200.
Sauternes has the sweetness to match creamy desserts, like crème brûlée or tarte Tatin, plus the vibrant acidity to cut through the richness and refresh your palate for the next bite. Typically an after dinner wine, it also shines in savory pairings, like foie gras, roasted nuts and blue cheese.
Our recommendation is L’Épiphanie de Sauternes, a top-secret release from one of those elite Grand Cru estates at a much better price, thanks to a one-off deal on an extra barrel of wine. It was rated 95 points and brims with notes of honeyed apricot, bright citrus and toasted nuts.
Tokaji Aszú
Hungary’s Tokaji Aszú (“toe-kye ah-soo”) is one of the world’s oldest and most legendary dessert wines. It’s also made from grapes affected by noble rot, which are called aszú in Hungarian. They’re carefully handpicked and blended into a base wine, creating an opulent, golden nectar bursting with apricot, orange marmalade, honey and saffron notes, all lifted by vibrant acidity.
Tokaji Aszú pairs beautifully with pâté or nut-based desserts like baklava. The after dinner wine is also stunning with fruit tarts or custard, thanks to its balance of sweetness and freshness.
Ice Wine (Eiswein)
Eiswein (or Ice Wine) is a classic dessert wine from cool-climate regions of Germany, Austria, Canada and the United States (New York’s Finger Lakes and Michigan). To craft Eiswein, winemakers allow grapes to freeze on the vine and quickly harvest them, sometimes at night, so they can be pressed while still frozen. This separates the grape’s natural water (in ice form) from the concentrated juice, resulting in intensely sweet, yet vibrant, notes of peach, pineapple or mango accented by ginger and spice.
The freshness of Eiswein makes it delightful with fruit-based desserts like apple strudel or a lemon tart, while its tropical notes also pair beautifully with a creamy cheesecake.
Vin Santo
To make Vin Santo, one of the world’s most-loved dessert wines, winemakers in Tuscany use the traditional passito method of air-drying grapes to concentrate flavors. After a gentle pressing, the juice is slowly fermented in oak, allowing for complex honey and fruit flavors, along with nutty notes from the minimal oxidation that occurs during barrel aging.
Crafted by renowned winemaker Paolo Masi, Prenzoli Collezione Privata is a perfectly mature Vin Santo bursting with luscious, caramelized orange and apricot flavors.
Late-Harvest Riesling
In Germany, Alsace (in France) and select cool-climate regions around the world, Riesling grapes are left on the vine well past the typical picking time to craft late-harvest Riesling, one of most compelling dessert wines out there. This extra hang time allows the grapes to dehydrate slightly and develop remarkable sweetness, balanced by Riesling’s signature electric acidity. The result is a golden-hued wine bursting with flavors of apricot, honey and candied citrus, often laced with floral or mineral notes.
Try it with fruit tarts, crème brûlée or even a spicy Thai curry—the wine’s sweetness and freshness make it one of the most versatile dessert pairings around.
Fruit Wines
AUTHOR
STEPHEN, SENIOR PERSONAL WINE ADVISOR
After 30+ years working in Michelin-starred restaurants with famous chefs in Manhattan, I found that I really do love wine—so for the last 10+ years, I’ve worked here, and every day is an adventure!
- WSET – Level 2 Wines & Spirits Certified
- Certified Restaurant Sommelier for 20+ years, achieving two James Beard awards
Favorite Wine: Brunello • Amarone • Barolo • Fine Rioja • Top-End Bordeaux
