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!
