Keep 'em sweet

Not just for dessert, sweet wine is the perfect drink for all kinds of occasion

What makes a sweet wine sweet?

Alcohol in wine comes from yeast converting sugar to alcohol. Sweet wines are made either from stopping this conversion process in the middle (producing a wine of lower alcohol and higher sugar) or starting with a grape that is so sugar laden to start off with that there will always be plenty of the sweet stuff left over after fermentation.

What kind of sweet wine should you buy?

When you begin your quest for sweet wine it might help to start off by limiting your search to three categories: wines made through ‘noble rot’ – when the botrytis fungus that flourishes under certain conditions attacks the grapes skins and sucks away most of their water leaving mostly sugar laden shriveled grapes; ice wine, also made with waterless grapes, but this time as a result of leaving the berries on the vines in winter.

Thirdly, trusty old port, which is sweetened by stopping the fermentation process with a hard spirit before the yeast has converted all sugars to alcohol leaving a wine that is strong and sweet.

Choice tipples

1999 Kracher Chardonnay #7, 375ml, 929 RMB

One of the finest creations from the late, great Austrian winemaker Alois Kracher, his 1999 Kracher Chardonnay #7 is a Botrytisized cornucopia of caramelised stone fruits with a hearty marmalade sweetness permeating throughout.

An amazing example of grapes that were perfected by noble rot, this will pair up perfectly with a lemon tart or berries and cream.

Available from ASC Fine Wines, 7th floor, Block D, The Place, 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang district (6587 3808; www.asc-wines.com ).

2007 Nigl Grüner Veltliner Eiswein, 375ml, 475 RMB

Hammering home the point that Austrians should be known for things other than their Alpine Sports prowess, this Eiswein (Icewine) using the country’s native grape, Grüner Veltliner, is a concentrated compilation of sweet goodness that will fill your mouth with balanced flavours of honey laced fruit.

Break a bottle of this out and pair it up with a cheese plate either before or after dinner and you won’t be disappointed.

Available from The Wine Republic, Building 17, Jianwai SOHO, 39 Dongsanhuan, Chaoyang district (5869 7050; email: orders@thewinerepublic.com ; www.winerepublic.com)

NV Dow’s Tawny Port, 375ml, 155 RMB

Dow’s Tawny Port embodies so much of what is wonderful about this tipple. At such a great price, port is an easy choice when looking for a warming sweet winter libation. A bit heavier on the alcohol due to its fortification, sip this slowly along with a plate of nuts and dried fruits.

Available from Links Concept Company Limited Suite. 903 Tower D, Sunshine 100, 2 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang district ( 65030808-101, order@linksconcept.com.hk,www.linksconcept.com).

Inniskillin Gold Oak-Aged Vidal Icewine, 375 ml, 979 RMB

Hockey, Tim Horton’s and Icewine are certainly three of Canada’s greatest gifts to this world, yet only the last one can be paired up with apple pie to form a lavishly delicious dessert and wine pairing.

The Inniskillin Gold Oak-Aged Vidal Icewine is all that is great about Canadian ice wine, thick, syrupy fruit with perfectly balanced acidity.

Available from ASC Fine Wines, 7th floor, Block D, The Place, 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang district (6587 3808, www.asc-wines.com ).

Wine of the month

The wine of the month for February is the Grahams 1991 Vintage Port. Coming into its own right now with over 17 years of age behind it, Grahams is a high-class yet still affordable option for a fine spirit.

With only three vintages declared in the 1990’s (a vintage is only declared in an exceptional year, otherwise the wine is blended with other years and sold as non-vintage) this is one of the finest port offerings available on the still limited Chinese wine market. Don’t miss a chance to try it this winter to warm your stomach and mollify your mind.

Available from Torres Wines for 1,170 RMB. Room 1408, Prime Tower, 22, Chaowai Dajie, Chaoyang district (5165 5519; www.torreschina.com ).