Collection: Buy sweet wines

Sweet wines : between sweetness and indulgence

The French vineyard offers the taster a multitude of choices when it comes to sweet wines. From Sauternes to Muscat de Rivesaltes via Vouvray or the Vins Doux Naturels of Roussillon, embark on a journey to discover intoxicating cuvées where sweetness meets indulgence and aromatic richness. Here is an overview of the main sweet wines of France.

Sauternes is a sweet wine produced in the Bordeaux region. It is made from botrytized grapes, meaning the berries are affected by a noble fungus called Botrytis cinerea. This fungus, which attacks the skin of the grapes, allows for some evaporation of the water contained in them and imparts the wine with remarkable complexity and aromatic concentration. Notes of honey, peach, apricot, candied fruits, and sweet spices are the usual markers of Sauternes.

The Alsace Gewurztraminer are white wines made from the grape variety of the same name, ranging from dry to sweet, including semi-dry and mellow. These wines are renowned for their exuberant aroma, characterized by notes of lychee, rose, and spices. It should be noted that in Alsace, two other important AOCs categorize sweet wines : Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles. The first characterizes wines made from overripe harvested grapes, while to mention the AOC Sélection de Grains Nobles, the berries must be harvested overripe and affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). The only grape varieties allowed for these two AOCs are the Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer.

Vouvray, a famous appellation of the Loire Valley, is also known for its magnificent sweet wines made from the renowned grape variety Chenin. The AOC also produces delicious dry, semi-dry, sweet, and even sparkling white wines with the same variety! Here, the sweet wines are made from grapes harvested at over-ripeness or/and affected by Botrytis.

Furthermore, many Vins Doux Naturels (VDN) exist in France. These are characterized by the fact that their fermentation is stopped by the addition of wine alcohol (brandy), killing the yeasts and thus preserving the sugars present in the grapes. Famous VDN appellations exist, such as the Muscats de Rivesaltes (Roussillon) and Beaumes-de-Venise (Rhône) or the famous Banyuls and Maury, specializing in red VDN.

Finally, many other appellations from the Southwest also produce delicious sweet wines, such as Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh or Jurançon (Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng grape varieties), Gaillac (Mauzac, Loin de l’Œil, and Muscadelle) or Monbazillac (Sauvignon, Sémillon, and Muscadelle).

In conclusion, all the sweet wines of France are the result of meticulous expertise and demanding work by the winemakers.Most sweet wines also pair wonderfully during meals, especially with sweet dishes, spicy cuisine, or blue-veined cheeses.

Embark on a journey to discover these treasures full of sweetness and let yourself be intoxicated by their rich and gourmet character! And if you need advice, do not hesitate to contact directly La Cave Éclairée !