In need of a dessert Wine

[downtown]

I was wondering if anyone could give me some characteristics of a good dessert Wine, or Maybe just suggest a good moderatly priced dessert wine. Thank you

[winoweenie]

Hi Downtown and welcome to the board. Quady makes a consistantly delicious dessert wine called " Essencia ". Also lots of moderatly price stickies from Oz. WW

[Auburnwine]

I agree on the Aussie ports and Muscats. Benjamin makes a brilliant introductory Late Bottled Vintage port for about $11. Seppelt's Trafford Tawny and Hardy's Whiskers Blake Tawny are a festival of flavor and warmth and scent. They are less than $15 and are grossly underpriced for the degree of complexity they possess and the amount of joy they bring.

The Chateau Reynella Old Cave Tawny is one of the best things I have ever tasted. It's less than $15, but may be a challenge to find.

[wondersofwine]

I tried the Hardy's Whiskers Blake Tawny Port at a restaurant in Virginia after seeing someone else recommend it. Quite nice. But when I think of dessert wines I think first of Sauternes (too expensive) or a German Auslese or Eiswein (the latter for a real splurge). Maybe a Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese or an Urziger Wurzgarten Auslese or a Piesporter, etc. I recently tried the 2001 Schloss Schonborn Erbacher Marcrobrunn Spatlese (Rheingau region of Germany) and it drank like an auselese and would make a fine dessert wine. I also like Inniskillen Ice Wine from Canada (hard to come by here) and Bonny Doon Muscat de Glacier (spelling?)

[Auburnwine]

I think you are right about the definition of a "dessert wine." I just love to get on my soap box about the wonders of Aussie stickies.

I've not had much true dessert wine. I found the Hogue Late Harvest Riesling pleasant.

FYI, Downtown, the Ports and Muscats are thicker and more intense in flavor, alcohol and sweetness than the true dessert wines.

[WSmith]

I agree with Auburnwine on the Hogue Riesling. I bought a bottle for Thanksgiving, but decided to try it last night and just get another bottle for tomorrow. It's probably the first "dessert wine" I've had. It was sweet, smooth, and just slightly tangy.
Not the kind of thing I could have more than one glass of, but I definitely enjoyed it and I would recommend it to anyone. Plus it was only about $9.

[Jackie]

I would also recommend several dessert wines from Cedar Mountain Winery in Livermore, CA. See http://www.wines.com/cedarmountain for descriptions & order form (fax).

They have a wonderful 1997 Cabernet Royale Dessert Wine that complements chocolate desserts, and a 1998 Chardonnay del Sol dessert wine which complements cheeses, nuts, and fruit desserts. Both gold medal winners.

They also have several excellent Port Wines.

Jackie