Sweets For Your Sweetheart

SWEETS FOR YOUR SWEETHEART

by Ann Stephens

Wondering what to give your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day? Why not a delicious dessert wine? Sweet wines make a great finish to a meal but are also wonderful when savored by themselves.

There are a number of dessert wines from around the world to consider. Here are some of our favorites:

ROYAL TOKAJI 2012 MAD CUVEE LATE HARVEST 375 ML TOKAJI, HUNGARY $17.98 [300034]

This delicious sweet white made from very ripe Furmint, Harslevelu and Muscat de Lunel grapes earned 91 points from the Wine Spectator: "A late-harvest style, exuding floral, apricot, peach and melon flavors. Light and intense, with a lingering aftertaste of dried apricot and spice. Drink now through 2018. 1,200 cases. Smart Buys. (12/31/14) Alcohol 11.5%. Residual sugar: 94 g/l.”

JORGE ORDONEZ 2013 VICTORIA #2 375ML

MALAGA, SPAIN $19.98 [380769]

Victoria #2 is a naturally made unfortified sweet Muscat. Robert Parker gave this 92 points: "The 2013 Victoria #2 is an elegant white offering up notes of peaches, pineapples, mangoes and other assorted tropical fruits. Medium-bodied, fresh and lively, in spite of its remarkable residual sugar level, this is an exotic, classic example of 100% Moscatel de Alexandria. Enjoy it over the next several years."

TOBIN JAMES 2012 “LIQUID LOVE” LATE HARVEST ZINFANDEL 375 ML

PASO ROBLES, CALIFORNIA $15.99 [277664]

Late into the season, after the harvest is over, the winemakers at Tobin James leave a few select rows of Zinfandel grapes on the vine. These luscious gems concentrate and intensify their flavors, creating a red wine that is a rich and decadently sweet, with flavors of raspberry, cherry and strawberry, as well as aromas of lavender and vanilla. It is full-bodied, yet remarkably balanced and can be served with fresh fruit, chocolate and enjoyed on its own.

QUINTA DO VEVSUVIO 2012 VINTAGE PORTO 750 ML

DOURO VALLEY, PORTUGAL $59.98 [345009]

While this fantastic Port will age easily for at least 20 years, it is drinking well now. The Wine Spectator gave this 94 points: "Effusively fruity, offering luscious red plum, dark cherry and chocolate flavors that are well-integrated. Very suave and creamy as well, with a long finish filled with cocoa powder and Asian spice.” Wine writer James Suckling gave this a 92 point score: "Extremely ripe yet only lightly jammy with dark berries, licorice and flowers. Lilac and roses too. Full body, medium sweet and round tannins plus a fruity finish. A soft and friendly wine." Try this with Stilton cheese, apple slices and walnuts.

These wines will be located in our Valentine's Display in the front of the store-- right near the Hi-Time Chocolatier who will have plenty other perfect Valentine's Day goodies for you to check out. Cheers!