For many people a bottle of dessert wine is a once a year purchase, and Christmas is the time when they splash out on a sweet wine to finish their meal in style. Here are three very contrasting styles of wine, with contrasting prices too, but each a highly recommended buy. Watch the video for more on each wine, plus suggestions for exactly what desserts will work best with each.
Casa Silva, Late Harvest Semillon/Gewurztraminer 2013, Chile
First up is Casa Silva's late harvested wine from Chile, where the Gewurztraminer aromatics are gorgeous, before a fully sweet and luscious palate, but one where a core of orangey acidity gives lovely focus. Around £8.00 per 37.5cl, see all stockists on wine-searcher.
Domaine Cazes, Rivesaltes Ambre 2000, France
A change of pace with a 14-year-old fortified Muscat from Domaine Cazes in the Roussillon. It spent seven years in barrel to develop a nutty, marmalade richness, with all the Christmas spices you could wish for, and a sweet but crisp and wonderfully fresh palate of ripe red fruits. Around £14.00 per 37.5cl, see all stockists on
Peller Estate, Niagara Riesling Icewine 2011, Canada
Finally, if in the mood to splash out, the Peller Estate Icewine is a rare and ethereal beauty, more subtle than either of the preceding wines, but with a glacial purity to its lemon and lime flavours, full sweetness and very long finish. £35.00 per 37.5cl, Majestic.
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