Opposed to Dry: a Manifesto
This being a manifesto against use of the word “dry” in relationship to wine, I herewith present ten points on why “dry” should be banned from all wine-related speak.
NV Banfi Rosa Regale
The color is very pretty and bright, ruby with a fizz of bubbles. The nose is rose petals and sweet strawberries. This is definitely a sweet sparkler, a fizzy blend of raspberry and strawberry sherbert, with a little rosewater making a floral appearance on the mid-palate. There is a surprising amount of acid for such an moderately priced sweet wine, suggesting it might be food friendly if paired with a moderately sweet creamy dessert, perhaps a raspberry-topped creme brulee. The goal in such a pairing is to match and complement, rather than contrast. Recommended. DH
2003 Weingut Allendorf Winkeler Hasensprung Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese
A very rich and concentrated TBA with a pronounced flavor profile delivering honey, pollen, quince and dried apricots. Great intensity on palate with a medium+ body. Well balanced and long. Bright future. Ioan...
How Sweet It Is: Discovering the World’s Most Famous Dessert Wines
Human beings, as a whole, love sweet. Studies have shown that newborn babies, when given a choice, prefer sugar water over milk. We begin life with a sweet tooth, even while that bud is still locked inside the confines of our tiny gums. For most of us, the craving continues to haunt, delight, plague and pleasure us for the rest of our days.
Lustau Emilín Moscatel
Medium mahogany color. Medium intensity aromas of dried grapes, flowers, dried fruit, citrus zest, and raisins. Sweet on the palate, medium body, medium-low acidity, and flavors of overripe grapes, grape candy, baked raisins, candied lemon, flowers, and honey; medium sweet finish. Make a reduction with this wine and diced figs for an incredible ice cream topping. Recommended.
Hidalgo Pedro Ximenez Viejo
Medium-deep mahogany color. Medium-high intensity aromas of fig, licorice, prunes, coffee, chocolates, and honey. Lusciously sweet on the palate, medium-full to full body, medium acidity, and flavors of dried fruits, figs, prunes, honey, caramel, and sticky coffee candies; long, sweet finish. An absolute must with any blue veined cheeses or sticky toffee pudding. Recommended.
González Byass Solera 1847 Oloroso
Medium mahogany color. Medium intensity aromas of sweet honey, figs, and candied nuts. Off dry on the palate, medium-full body, medium acidity, and flavors of almonds, toffee, figs, and honey; medium-long off-dry finish. Serve with slow roasted pork shoulder with a fruit glaze. Recommended.
At Vinoble, The Biennial International Sweet Wine Conference
After a whole generation of ignoramuses, it’s the younger people who are starting to appreciate the great sweet wines of the world. Snapple®, Cosmo cocktails…sweet wines: is this their liquid progression? This is what I found at Vinoble, the biennial sweet wine conference held recently in Jerez, in the south of Spain.