Dessert wines are, by definition, high in alcohol. This alcohol is made from the increased concentration of sugar in these wines and the two combine to define them. The ratio of water to sugar can be changed by actually adding sugar, unfermented grape juice or honey before fermentation or must afterward. Alternatively, wine makers may opt to remove water during production, increasing the concentration of sugar in the volume of wine. Drying the grapes into raisins and then using these to make the wine achieves this sweetened effect too, as does freezing some of the water out of the wine, making what is known as “ice wine”. Adding Botrytis cinerea desiccates the grapes and increases their sugar content, having a similar effect.
 
Certain grapes, such as the Muscat, are sweeter by their very nature. These and other varieties are made sweeter by being picked only once they are completely ripe and have their highest sugar levels. The more sun these grapes get, the sweeter they become, so wine farmers rely very much on a hot, sunny summer. To improve their grapes’ chances of maximum exposure, the farmer may choose to clip away any leaves casting a shadow on the grapes below them on the vine. This approach renders different versions of each wine every harvest, creating an unreliable (but always natural) product.  One of South Africa’s most famous Muscats was the Constantia of old, and this is likely to have been sweetened in this natural way.
 
When selecting a dessert wine, it is vital that the wine is sweeter than the dish it is accompanying. Chocolate has a bitter base taste and this does not match well with sweet dessert wines. Baked goods with nuts and honey are far more suitably enjoyed with a sugary and flavorsome wine. Sweet, ripe fruits are also fantastically set off by a good dessert wine. When a fortified or dessert wine is well made, though, it can be enjoyed as the perfect end to a hearty meal all on its own. It should be served slightly chilled if it is white, and at room temperature if it is a red wine.
 
The very sweet dessert wines are not matured for very long, whereas ports are aged for far longer periods. The aging process is largely determined by the size of the oak vats in which the wine is placed. The larger the vat, the longer its contents will take to mature.
 
While dessert wines may be regarded by some wine connoisseurs as being inferior or subordinate to their more ‘savory’ counterparts, they have earned acclaim over the years. Their rich, sugary body is offset by their syrupy texture and alcoholic warmth, a winning combination by even the most discerning of palate’s standards.

Delicacy Of French Vintage Dessert Wines Of 1998

France is the finest wine making land, and no other country has gained the prominence which it enjoys amongst connoisseurs. For France, especially for the Hugel Et Fils winery, 1998 was an excellent year, with several vintages being produced, much to the joy of enthusiasts.

Throughout the world, every reputed wine retailer stocks his cellar with the elegant dessert wines that were produced in that wonderful year of French vintages. Indeed, three grapes that flourished in this glorious year are Gewrztraminer, Riesling and Tokay Pinot Gris, both of which are well known among the wine connoisseurs for their suppleness and scrumptiousness.

The Hugel et Fils Gewurztraminer Selection de Grains Nobles 750ml 1998 is a fine beverage that is a favorite of people who buy wine online regularly. It is an elegant still, dessert wine produced in Alsace, France from Gewurztraminer grapes, and possesses 12% alcohol by volume. It is a white wine that has hues of gold and a concentrated bouquet of oriental spices, honey, orange blossoms, currant and marshmallows.

This wine is well known for its luscious, smooth, luxurious texture that reminds the drinkers of fine liqueurs. Those who frequent a particular wine store would know that its price falls somewhere in upper-middle range, but bulk orders make it a great buy for all.

Another awesome offering of the land of France is the Hugel et Fils Tokay Pinot Gris Selection de Grains Nobles 750ml 1998. It is also an Alsatian still, dessert wine that is made from the succulent Pinot Gris grapes that grew in 1998. Those who wish to buy wine are mesmerized by the concentrated yellow-gold color of this beverage, along with the bouquet of ripe fruits, particularly the grapes.

It possesses vibrant aromas of figs, honey, toffees, apricots, licorice, hazelnuts, quince, grapes, zan and dates, all of which enchant the nose. People who write reviews of this wine online praise its property of being an excellent accompaniment to blue cheeses as well as pan-fried and roasted foie gras.

This list rounds up with a description of Hugel et Fils Riesling Selection de Grains Nobles 750ml 1998, which is also produced by Hugel Et Fils winery. It is another Alsatian still, dessert wine that is produced from Riesling grapes in the Alsace valley of France, and stocked by each and every wine retailer.

The white wine has hints of green color, intensity of deep colors, but eventually turns out to be crystal clear. Its bouquet boasts of pink grapefruit, melisse, pineapple & lemon grass, and the palate comprises ripeness & acidity. Indeed, it is a preferred choice of wine enthusiasts based in New York.

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