Want to enjoy wine for dessert or casually drink a sweeter variety, taking a break from dry wines? You can do so with the best sweet white wine brands.
You can find a variety of sweet white wine types and brands on the market, whether Moscato d’Asti, Riesling, Sauternes, or Tokaji Aszu.
I consulted with several sommeliers to find you the best-tasting sweet white wine brands for sipping or even pairing with food.
Also check: 20 Best Wines for People Who Don’t Like Wine
11 Sweet White Wine Brand Varieties To Try
After careful research and consultation, I have put together a list of the top sweet white wine brands you definitely want to try out this year.
1. Vietti Moscato D’Asti
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Region: Piedmont, Italy
Alcohol content: 5% ABV/10 US proof
Cost: $10 – $20
Originating from the Piedmont region of Italy, the Vietti Moscato D’Asti doesn’t disappoint when it comes to sweet wines. Whether you drink it casually, as an appetizer, dessert, or brunch drink, the wine doesn’t disappoint.
In fact, the Vietti brand is amongst the best in the Piedmont region yet, it doesn’t cost as much. The sweet white wine is produced using organically farmed fruit which offers an incredible balance of natural sweetness and acidity.
Taking your first sip from the chilled fruity and sparkling wine introduces you to delicious notes of canned peaches, candied ginger, honeysuckle, and white flower petals. The sweet white wine can be enjoyed on its own or paired with fruity desserts.
In fact, it’s the perfect pairing wine for desserts, thanks to its lower alcohol content and slightly higher acidity – Moscato or sauternes are always better for fruits than port! You can also pair it with sweet baked goods and brunch foods, or spicy appetizers.
Also check: Wines with High Alcohol Content
2. Peter Lauer Saar Barrel X Riesling
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Region: Mosel, Germany
Alcohol content: 10.5% ABV/21 US proof
Cost: $23
Whether it’s a Chinese take-out dinner, a fancy Indian spread, or a fondue cheese party, the Peter Lauer Barrel x Riesling is an excellent accompaniment. This variety is a semi-sweet option and excellent for beginners who are still navigating the sweet wine world.
In fact, the wine is a good cross between traditionally sweet Saar Riesling and drier varieties. The wine develops its flavors due to the mix of grapes grown from vineyards in four different villages.
This is not a random thing, however. Grapes from different villages come with their own personality.
Grapes from the village of Ayl (Lauer’s home village) and Wawern give the wine its fruit and power while Saarburg grapes give it its racy acidity.
On the other hand, grapes from Wiltingen give it its spicy hints. The off-dry white wine features an inviting crisp aroma of linden honey and orange blossoms.
The budget-friendly wine has a balanced acidity and boasts sweet and citrusy notes of sweet citrus, lime juice, green apple, pear, a touch of honey, and surprisingly petrol.
But, it somewhat drinks like dry wine. The light wine pairs well with soft and fresh dishes of game birds, duck, and cheese.
3. Chateau Guiraud Petit Guiraud Sauternes
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Region: Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
Alcohol content: 13.5% ABV/27 US proof
Cost: $20 – $30
If you are in search of the ultimate dessert wine, you can’t go wrong with the Chateau Guiraud Petit Guiraud Sauternes. Made in Sauternes in the region of Bordeaux, the French wine is pretty affordable for its quality.
This premier grand cru second release boasts decadent notes of ginger, honeycomb, and vanilla cream. This flavor combination makes it an excellent digestif and casual sipper after your meals. The high alcohol content also factors in perfectly for a relaxing after-meal drink.
You can also enjoy this sweet white wine by pairing it with spicy or savory dishes, whether buttery seafood dishes, spicy mainland Chinese cuisine, or cheesy risotto.
4. Château d’Yquem
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Region: Bordeaux, France
Alcohol content: 14% ABV/28 US proof
Cost: $225 – $230
If you are up for a splurge, the Chateau d’Yquem is a good investment. Whether you are hosting a special crowd or want a different drinking experience, this Bordeaux wine is a great option.
The premium quality dessert wine uses botrytized grapes grown in sauternes, in the southern vineyard region of Bordeaux, France.
The sweet white wine develops sweet flavors of honey, orange marmalade, and fresh tropical fruit. The wine can be enjoyed on its own as a dessert sipper or served with sweet or savory dishes.
5. Champalou Vouvray La Cuvée des Fondraux
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Region: Vouvray, Loire Valley, France
Alcohol content: 13% ABV/26 US proof
Cost: $24 – $26
The Champalou Vouvray La Cuvee des Foudraux wine is bottled in Vouvray in the Loire Valley region in France by the Didier Champalou Vigneron.
Considered the best Chenin Blanc or Pineau de la Loire growing region, Vouvray has been home to the vigneron since the early 80s.
The vigneron is set out on a 21-hectare vineyard blessed with clay, limestone, and siliceous soils. These soils are specially adapted to produce the best grapes due to their ample absorption of water and good microbes.
This particular sweet wine develops an off-dry white profile with sweet notes of canned pears, tropical fruit, and honey. This, in turn, gives the wine characteristics of sweet French nectar.
This off-dry white and sweet flavor profile makes the wine excellent for pairing with pungent cheeses like bleu cheese, soft cheeses, fruit salad, or spicy coconut milk & lemongrass-based Thai food.
6. Laurent-Perrier Harmony Demi-Sec
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Region: Champagne, France
Alcohol content: 12% ABV/24 US proof
Cost: $39.99
If you are in the mood for real champagne, the Laurent-Perrier Harmony Demi-Sec won’t disappoint. The champagne comes with a complex blend of flavors.
The champagne goes through a process of adding a solid mixture of still wine and sugar after vinification for a sweeter taste.
This champagne is made using 55 crus and about 10-20% reserve wines for the perfect consistency. the champagne features a blend of 45% chardonnay, 40% pinot noir, and 15% pinot Meunier.
After at least three years of cellar aging, the wine goes through the sugar-adding process to give it its natural sweetness.
The semi-sweet, off-white champagne boasts bright, bold, velvety, intense, and balanced tasting notes of dried fruit, stone fruit, grilled almonds, citrus fruit, biscuit, bread, and butter. You will even love the wine bottle which boosts its prestige.
Whether you enjoy it plain, toast to a celebration, or pair it with dessert, the demi-sec wine is a great option. The wine does particularly well with cakes, tarts, chocolate & coffee-based desserts. You can also pair it with savory dishes, such as cheese salads.
7. Oremus Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos 2008
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Region: Tokaj, Hungary
Alcohol content: 12% ABV/24 US proof
Cost: $122.99 -124.99
There’s a reason why Oremus Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos 2008 is amongst the best dessert wines in the world. Often referred to as liquid honey, Tokaji Aszu is ultra sweet and smooth, originating from the Tokaj region in northeastern Hungary.
This wine has even been a favorite among historical figures such as Louis XIV and Beethoven. This particular wine is produced by a famed historical wine producer, Tokaji Oremus, and comes with enhanced sweetness with a perfect blend of high sugar content and refined acidity.
This allows the sweet wine to have a citrus, peach, and apricot nose with rich and intense palates of sweet apricot, peach, and apple with earthy notes of honey, ginger, and mushroom. The Wine is further complemented with finishing notes of orange blossoms, marmalade, and spice. The sugar content and refined acidity give the wine a smooth and waxy mouth feel.
Note: Puttonyos measures the amount of Aszu pasted added to the base wine which, in turn, determines the sweetness level of Tokaji wine.
A 5 Puttonyos Tokaji wine has between 12% and 15% residual sugar and is relatively sweet. While you can enjoy it slightly chilled, this Tokaji is best enjoyed warm with cheese or sweet desserts.
8. Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Eiswein 2018
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Region: Mosel, Germany
Alcohol content: 8.5% ABV/17 US proof
Cost: $1765 – $2225
Ice wine is an excellent sweet wine option for people with a sweet tooth and Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling is a good option.
Now, ice wine is made from frozen grapes whose water is frozen but not the sugar or dissolved solids. This, in turn, produces wine that is sweeter than sugar sodas.
But, what makes this particular sweet white wine is its premium production – which gives it its expensive $1000+ price tag. Made by the Egon Muller estate in the heart of the German Mosel wine country, this estate has been producing wine for over 2 centuries.
This Riesling is just one of its fine productions. The wine develops a zesty peachy taste profile with balanced acidity and hints of green apple and citrus. It’s certainly worth the splurge if you want to sip on a sophisticated and refined dessert wine.
9. Park Pineau des Charentes
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Region: Cognac, France
Alcohol content: 12% ABV/24 US proof
Cost: $32.99
Bottled in the Cognac region in France, Park Pineau de Charentes is a blend of cognac brandy distilled from grapes and the region’s grape juice.
In fact, the wine features 24% Eaux-de-vie aged for at least 24 months and 76% grape juice. This combination produces a sweet French aperitif with a slightly higher boozy content than regular wine.
The sweet white wine also develops natural sweetness and a strong fruit profile with notes of almond, dried fig, pear, apricot, and dried raisins. You can best enjoy this wine on the rocks for a refreshing delicate and floral experience or use it to craft your favorite alcohol.
You can also pair this sweet wine with grilled white meat, fresh seafood, or goat cheese.
10. Veuve Clicquot Demi Sec
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Region: Champagne, France
Alcohol content: 12% ABV/24 US proof
Cost: $69.99
If you are an avid drinker of Veuve Clicquot champagne, the Demi-Sec variety is great on the sweeter side. The demi-sec offers a perfect balance of sweet and fruit flavors that pairs well with dessert.
The wine is predominantly composed of 40-45% pinot noir which gives it its essential build. It gets its distinct fruit flavors from 30-35% Meunier and 20-25% chardonnay.
The wine is further aged for at least 3 years in crayeres for a silky finish with a sweeter and fresh finish. The champagne develops richer notes of praline or toast with hints of toast and brioche, paring well with caramel or praline-based desserts or white or yellow fruits.
11. Moet et Chandon Nectar Imperial
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Region: Champagne, France
Alcohol content: 12% ABV/24 US proof
Cost: $65.99
The Moet et Chandon Nectar Imperial, is an ideal bottle for that special occasion. The elegant bottle comes with a touch of sweetness to complement its signature sophisticated taste and pairs well with sweet desserts or fruit.
The wine pairs well with a variety of foods. You can pair the wine with fish, white meat and poultry. The wine also goes well with sweet sour and sugary sweet dishes, oily nuts, and candied fruits.
The champagne boasts sweet-tasting notes of citrus, ripe candied peach, honey, and nectarine. On the palate, it has a luscious, rich, and exotic mouth feel with a strong fruitiness and smooth finish.
Tip: If you want more varieties to stock up on – add revolutionized sweet Moet et Chandon Ice Imperial champagne, the first champagne that is best served on ice cubes.
FAQs
What Is A Good White Wine That Is Sweet?
How good a sweet white wine is dependent on one’s preference. However, you can find a wide variety of good sweet wines.
These include moscato d’asti, sauternes, ice wine, Riesling, or Tokaji Aszu, to name a few. You can find some of the best options for different types of sweet wine from our list above.
Is Pinot Grigio White Wine Sweet?
Pinot Grigio, also known as pinot Gris, is not a white sweet white. Instead, it is a dry white wine.
However, most pinot grigio varieties feature a zesty and refreshing profile (similar to chilled lemonade) that packs an acidic punch and typically boasts flavor notes, such as lime, lemons, green apple, and honeysuckle.
What Does Sweet White Wine Mean?
Sweet white wine means exactly what the title suggests. Sweet white wine is any white wine that retains more than 30 grams of residual sugar per liter. The opposite of sweet white wine is a dry white wine which typically retains 10 grams of residual sugar per liter.
Further, white wine that contains between 10 and 30 grams of residual sugar per liter is referred to as off-white or sometimes, semi-sweet white.
Is Moscato The Sweetest Wine?
Moscato is the most popular sweetest wine on the market. Moscato typically boasts flavor notes of peach, citrus, and honey, similar to the German sweet Riesling wine.
The sweetness and refreshing taste Moscato offers makes it an excellent option for beginners.
What Is The Best Sweet White Wine?
Our personal favorite best sweet white wine is the Vietti Moscato D’Asti. The sweet white offers a pretty versatile taste profile, allowing you to enjoy it on its own or pair it with fruits, baked goods, or spicy savory food.
But, if you are in the mood for a splurge or special occasion, our recommendations for a pleasant drinking experience are Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling and Moet et Chandon Nectar Imperial.
What Kind Of Wine Is Sweet And Fruity?
You will typically taste sweet and fruity flavors in sweet white wines such as Moscato, Riesling, and sauternes.
But, these wines come with varying sweet and fruity notes, depending on the brand. Moscato typically develops notes of mandarin orange, sweet lemon, ripe pear, peach, orange blossom, honey, and honeysuckle.
On the other hand, German and California Riesling boast sweet flavors of apple, apricot, peach, and pear. Sauternes wines also typically have similar notes of honey, peach, apricot ginger, tropical fruit, honeysuckle, butterscotch, and some tasted baking spices.
What Is A Good Sweet Wine For Beginners?
Peter Lauer Barrel x Riesling is a good sweet wine for beginners. The wine offers a semi-sweet taste profile that makes it easier for wine drinkers transitioning into sweet wines. The Vietti Moscato D’Asti is another good sweet wine for beginners.
The wine offers subtle fruity notes and a refreshingly smooth mouth feel. The wine’s characteristics make it pretty easy for drinkers who are just discovering sweet white wine.
Conclusion
With our list of the best sweet white brands, you have the choice of wines to suit your different needs. Whether it’s for a special occasion or a daily sipper, you can find the ideal sweet white wine from the list.
If you need a bottle for a particular occasion, whether an aperitif, digestif, or to pair with a savory or spice dish, you can also find some of the best options in the world on this list.
And what makes us reliable? Our list wasn’t just randomly put together. Each option listed is thoroughly researched and vouched for by experienced sommeliers – guaranteeing you an exceptional drinking experience.
