The 14 Best Sweet Wines to Drink (2024)

Region: Piedmont, Italy| ABV: 5% | Tasting notes: Canned peaches, Candied ginger, Honeysuckle

In the world of sweet wine, Vietti Moscato checks all of our boxes. Produced by one of Piedmont’s highly respected names, this wine is extremely well-priced and made with organically farmed fruit. Above all, its pleasant sweetness is balanced by high amounts of natural acidity. Notes of canned peaches, white flower petals, candied ginger, and honeysuckle dominate the wine's frothy palate. Serve with spicy appetizers, fruit-forward desserts, or sugary brunch dishes (waffles, pancakes, and more).

Region: Anjou, Loire Valley, France | ABV: 10.5% | Tasting notes: Sweet cherries, Red currants, Rose petals

In Anjou, one of the Loire Valley’s major wine-producing zones, reds and rosés made from cabernet franc are of great renown. Unlike the dry rosés of Touraine, Sancerre and other Loire-based appellations, rosés from Anjou (Rosé d’Anjou) are known for being off-dry and slightly sweet. This bottle from Domaine des Nouelles is fruit-driven, bright, and loaded with flavors of sweet cherries, red currants and rose petals. Serve chilled with sweet crepes, a fresh bowl of strawberries or simply sip it solo.

Related: The Best Rosé Wines

Region: Mosel, Germany | ABV: 10.5% | Tasting notes: Sweet citrus, Lime juice, Petrol

Skeptical about sweet wine? Start off with a semi-sweet bottle, like this affordable gem from Peter Lauer. Lauer is one of Germany’s most highly-regarded producers, though this entry-level wine receives just as much love as his high-end cuvées. Notes of sweet citrus, lime juice, petrol and a touch of honey dominate this refreshing wine. Pair with spicy takeout favorites and get ready for an eye-opening sipping experience.

Related: The Best Wine Glasses, According to Experts

Region: Douro, Portugal | ABV: 19.5% | Tasting Notes: Red and dark fruits, Cherries, Dried fig

Forget the mass-produced ports you’ve tasted in the past—this organic gem from Niepoort is as game-changing as it gets. This youthful and expressive wine is produced from low-yielding old vines in the Cima Corgo region of the Douro. The wine ages in large wooden vats for three years prior to release and is meant to be consumed young. Ruby-hued in color, the wine shows flavors of red and dark fruits, plums, cherries, and a touch of dried fig.

Zach Mazur, Port Specialist for Taylor Fladgate, Croft, & Fonseca notes that port’s dynamism is what makes it so great. “You can enjoy drinking it young or old, ruby or tawny, and not just on its own, but also in co*cktails,” he explains, citing that Port not only pairs well with many foods but also enhances them. “There is nothing quite like the taste of a fresh and fruity ruby port paired with a chocolate-covered strawberry or a rich and nutty 20-year-old tawny port paired with creme brûlée.”

Related: The Best Red Wines

Region: Vouvray, Loire Valley, France | ABV: 13% | Tasting notes: Canned pears, Tropical fruit, Honey

This sustainably-farmed wine is produced by Didier Champalou, a Loire Valley-based vigneron who’s been farming vineyards since 1983. Vouvray is regarded as one of the best growing sites in the world for chenin blanc (known locally as Pineau de la Loire). This off-dry bottle boasts flavors of canned pears, ripe melon, tropical yellow fruit and honey—think of it as sweet French nectar in a glass. Serve with spicy Thai favorites, pungent blue cheeses or a bowl of fruit.

Good to Know:
When pairing wine with cheese, Kaner recommends keeping acidity in mind. "Basically any delicious dessert wine will go well with cheese, but you'll want to look for higher acid wines to cut through soft and fatty cheeses such as Brillat-Savarin (triple cream) or a pungent bleu like Roquefort," says Kaner. "Harder cheeses and their crystalline texture need a little less acidity."

Related: The Best White Wines

Region: Bugey-Cerdon, Savoie, France | ABV: 8% | Tasting notes: Raspberry, Strawberry, cream

Bubbles, rosé and a dash of residual sweetness—what could go wrong here? In the case of Patrick Bottex, absolutely nothing. This non-vintage wine is produced via the méthode ancestrale, meaning that fermentation is halted within the bottle and residual sugar remains trapped in the wine. This delicious sparkler hails from the Bugey-Cerdon region of France and is perfect for sipping with fruit-based desserts, raspberries, cookies or pungent cheeses with fruit preserves.

Region: Champagne, France | ABV: 12% | Tasting notes: Stone fruit, Grilled almonds, Dried fruits

For refreshment, elegance and a touch of sweet sophistication, look no further than Demi-Sec Champagne. This style of bubbles has a well-balanced dosage, meaning that a solid mixture of still wine and sugar is added to the Champagne post-vinification to boost its sweetness. This gorgeous bottle comes from one of Champagne’s most prominent houses and boasts rich flavors of dried fruits, grilled almonds and honeyed stone fruit. The wine’s full-bodied and unctuous palate makes it perfect for serving with savory dishes and desserts, from Caprese salads to pastries and petit* fours.

Related: The Best Champagnes

Region: Piedmont, France | ABV: 5% | Tasting notes: Fruit co*cktail, Citrus, White flowers

This under-$20 bottle from Asti (Piedmont, Italy) is the perfect pre-dinner aperitif, as its soft flavor profile and slight sweetness prepare the palate for a long meal. Moscatos from Asti are known for their perfumed aromatics and captivating flavor profiles. This bottle is loaded with flavors of fruit co*cktail, citrus rind, grapefruit juice and white blossoms. Pair with prosciutto-wrapped melon or fresh fruit skewers for a light snack.

Related: The Best Cheap Wines

Region: Sauternes, Bordeaux, France | ABV: 14% | Tasting notes: Honey, Orange marmalade, Tropical fruit

For nights that call for something extra special, opt for this delicious bottle of sauternes. These high-quality dessert wines are produced from botrytized grapes grown in the southerly vineyards of Bordeaux. They're also known for their luscious flavor profiles and ability to withstand the test of time. Serve these gems with a variety of sweet or savory cuisines. "If you are having a fruity dessert, seek a wine with more acid and lower alcohol—think sauternes rather than port," says Harding. Consider this juice liquid gold.

Related: The Best Wines

Region: Piedmont, Italy | ABV: 5.5% | Tasting Notes: Stone fruit, Mandarin, Honey

Looking to dive into the world of sweet wine but not sure where to begin? Moscato is a great place to start. These frothy, easy-drinking wines from Piedmont are known for their freshness, fizziness, and all-around enjoyable sweetness. This easy-to-find bottle from Risata jumps with vibrant flavors of juicy stone fruit, mandarin orange, and honey. While sweet and flavor-packed, the wine never feels cloying or overly heavy. Sip chilled with spicy takeout or sweet brunch favorites (pancakes, French toast, or sweet crepes).

Region: Barsac, Bordeaux, France| ABV: 14% | Tasting notes: Apricot, Honey, Canned peaches

Barsac is located in the southwestern area of Bordeaux and is known for its lusciously sweet dessert wine production. Here, sauvignon blanc and sémillon are left on the vine to be infected by noble rot (yes, this is a good thing), otherwise known as botrytis. This rot sucks the moisture out of the grapes, which in turn, concentrates the fruit and leads to rich, sticky-sweet dessert wines. Coutet is one of the most renowned producers within the appellation. At a great value, this wine will withstand the test of time.

Enjoy it with pungent blue cheese, foie gras or French-inspired pastries for an incredible experience. "Savory and salty foods pair so nicely with sweet wines," says Strong. "I love roasted chicken or bacon with any sweet, botrytized white wine from Bordeaux, Hungary (Royal Tokaji) or Austria."

Region: Sauternes, Bordeaux, France | ABV: 13.5% | Tasting Notes: Honeycomb, Ginger, Vanilla cream

When seeking out great dessert wines, Chris Raftery, sommelier at Gramercy Tavern, recommends looking to second releases from top producers. “Just like the dry wines of the region, many producers release a second wine at a more affordable price for earlier consumption: enter Petit Guiraud, the second wine of Château Guiraud, a top estate (one of only 11 chateaux classified as 1er Grand Cru in 1855) dating back to 1766,” he says. Raftery cites decadent notes of honeycomb, ginger, and vanilla cream from the wine, describing it as everything you want from Sauternes, yet doesn’t break the bank.

Good to Know:
Raftery also explains that in addition to pairing beautifully with [or replacing] dessert, well-made sweet wines also make great savory pairings, too. Sauternes works as a counter pairing to both spicy cuisine [Sichuan!] and richer dishes like gorgonzola risotto, butter-drenched lobster or grilled scallops, or even corn on the cob – and of course, seared foie gras,” he reveals.

Region: Charente, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France | ABV: 17% | Tasting Notes: Stone fruit, Honey, spice

Never heard of Pineau des Charentes before? If you love sweet booze, this will definitely be up your alley. Although technically not wine, this grape juice / cognac based product is one of France’s most unique alcoholic beverages. Floch explains that Pineau des Charentes is made exclusively in Charente and Charente-Maritime, both located in western France. “Pineau des Charentes is made by wine growers and is the only AOC [product] in all of France to be made from grape juice and cognac [eau-de-vie]” Floch explains, noting that most expressions show flavors of vanilla, nuts, honey, and spice.

This flavor-packed expression from Parkis is loaded with floral-driven flavors of juicy stone fruit, honey, and spice. “The sweetness of grape juice and the strength of cognac create a [balance] between delicate and powerful flavors at the same time,” Floch says. Park’s expression is made from 76% grape juice and 24% eaux-de-vie that is aged for a minimum of 24 months.

Region: Montilla-Moriles, Spain | Body: 17% | Tasting Notes: Dark chocolate, Dried fig, Molasses, Black walnut

For something with a good deal of age, check out the often overcooked wines of Montilla-Moriles, Spain’s underdog region for sweet wine. “Montilla-Moriles, Sherry's warmer and less-famous-but-underrated neighbor to the east, is where this chocolatey rich sweet wine is produced,” explains Raftery. He notes that Toro Albala produces this unique wine from raisinated Pedro Ximenez grapes. “The wine is chock full of dark chocolate, dried fig, pomegranate molasses, and black walnut flavors—it’s a perfect homemade brownie pairing, or go crazy and drizzle over vanilla ice cream or gelato.” Raftery also notes that lesser-known appellations like Montilla-Moriles are where crazy values (such as this one) can be found.