One of life’s greatest treats is pairing a delicious dessert with the perfect glass of wine after an appetizing meal.
Yet, certain desserts pair better than others, while others can ruin the sweet taste. As a matter of reality, it is important to pick the right one for your desserts and wine pairing.
Here’s an overview of how to find the best wine for your dessert masterpiece with What Desserts Go what Wine a guide.
Now, check out these 15 wonderful desserts with wine pairings, and also get ready to ramp up the charm!
What Desserts Go Best With Wine- A Guide
Sweetness & Acidity
For pairing a dessert and wine, the sweetness and acidity of both should be considered.
As a reference, if you’re eating a tart lemon meringue pie, a sweet white wine like Moscato would be an excellent choice because its sweetness will help balance out the tartness of the pie.
On the other hand, If you’re offering a rich chocolate cake, choose a dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon; the tannins in red wine will help slash through the richness of the cake.
Flavor Profiles
You need to consider flavor profiles when choosing your desserts and wine pairings.
Serving a fruity dessert like berry cobbler or peach galette with ice cream, always go with a fruitier style of wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
And For something more savory, like apple tart tatin with caramel sauce, opt for something richer like Chardonnay or Zinfandel.
It’s also important to think about these flavors in terms of texture – light wines go best with lighter desserts, while heavier wines are better suited to richer desserts.
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For a light angel food cake topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream, choose something light and refreshing such as Riesling or Prosecco.
Conversely, if your meal ends with crème brûlée or tiramisu, then go for something bolder such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.
What kind of wine goes with dessert?
White Wines and Light Desserts
White wines best work with lighter desserts; consider choosing a sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer.
These wines feature notes of citrus, stone fruit, and honey that will complement the light flavors of your dish.
Like- a lemon tart or blueberry crisp, these wines will pair nicely.
White Zinfandel also goes well with lighter desserts because it has notes of strawberry and raspberry, which can help bring out those flavors in your dish.
Red Wines and Darker Desserts
Rich chocolate cake or a creamy cheesecake with red wines. A Cabernet Sauvignon has deep berry flavors that serve as an excellent compliment to dark chocolate desserts.
Port is also an excellent option to pair with dark desserts; its sweetness helps temper some of the bitterness of dark chocolate while still allowing its richness to shine through.
Other great options include Merlot and Shiraz due to their rich flavor profiles that offer subtle hints of spices such as black pepper and clove that can add complexity to both sweet and savory dishes alike.
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15 Best Dessert Goes With Wine
1. Crème Brûlée
Crème Brûlée is a classic French dessert of custard topped with a layer of caramelized sugar. It is usually served cold but also enjoyed warm as well.
The contrast between the crisp caramelized sugar top and cold custard base pairs perfectly with a sweet sparkling Moscato or Prosecco.
For slightly sweeter versions, like those made with creamier bases or flavored syrups, ports and Sauternes are great choices.
Ice wines also make an excellent pairing for a rich Crème Brûlée.
2. New York Cheesecake
New York Cheesecake is a classic American dessert made from cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and heavy cream. It has a creamy texture and can be topped with fresh fruit or other toppings.
The best wine that goes with New York Cheesecake is a sweet white or sparkling wine such as Moscato or Prosecco.
These wines tend to compliment the sweetness of the cheesecake while also balancing out its richness.
3. Peach Cobbler
Peach cobbler is a sweet dessert traditionally made with fresh or canned peaches, sugar, butter, and a biscuit or pastry topping.
Generally speaking, white wines are the best choice when pairing with desserts like Peach Cobbler.
An off-dry Riesling has just enough sweetness to match the flavors in Peach Cobbler while also providing a refreshing balance.
Sweet dessert wines such as muscat and late harvest wines can also be great options for pairing with peach cobbler – they add a subtle sweetness that complements the fruit flavors nicely.
4. Apple Pie
Apple Pie is a classic American dessert. It typically consists of an apple filling sandwiched between two layers of flaky pastry crust, which is then baked in the oven until golden brown and bubbly.
The best wine pairing for Apple Pie would be Riesling. This white wine has just enough acidity to cut through the sweetness of the pie without overpowering its delicate flavors while also complimenting any spices that may be present in the dish.
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5. Nanaimo Bar
Nanaimo Bar is a Canadian dessert made with layers of vanilla crumb, custard-flavored butter icing, and chocolate ganache.
It’s an incredibly popular sweet treat in Canada and is often served at special events or during the holidays.
Sweet white wine like Riesling or Moscato. Also, a dry white such as Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc.
6. Fudge
Fudge is a type of confectionery that is made by combining sugar, butter, and milk. Fudge can also incorporate other ingredients such as cocoa, nuts, chocolate chips, or marshmallows.
Fudge pairs particularly well with sweet dessert wines such as Moscato d’Asti, Late Harvest Riesling, or even an off-dry Sherry.
The acidity in these sweeter wines helps balance out the sweetness of the fudge and also emphasizes its chocolatey flavors.
A lighter red, such as Pinot Noir, can also pair nicely with fudge by providing contrast in flavor without being too heavy on the palate.
7. Lemon Bars
Lemon Bars are light, sweet, and refreshing. They often consist of a shortbread base with a tart lemon curd topping.
The sweetness of the shortbread contrasts nicely with the tartness of the lemon curd.
The best wine to pair with Lemon Bars is a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. These wines have enough acidity to cut through the sweetness of the bars while still being light and refreshing enough not to overpower them.
For an even better match, try pairing your Lemon Bars with an off-dry Riesling or Gewürztraminer, which will bring out even more of their citrus flavors.
8. Brownies
Fudgy, gooey brownies made from real butter and dark chocolate are simply divine when paired with a sweeter dessert wine such as an Icewine or Sauternes.
9. Chocolate Mousse
Rich and creamy, this indulgent dessert is especially delicious when served with a glass of fortified wine like port or Madeira.
10. Trifle
Trifle is a traditional British dessert made with layers of fruit, sponge cake, and custard.
Traditionally, it is served with sweet white wines such as Moscato or Sauternes. The sweetness of the wine complements the creamy flavors in the trifle without overwhelming them.
The lower acidity also helps to balance out the richness of the custard-based layer. With its slight sweetness and crisp finish, Moscato can be an especially nice pairing for Trifle.
Additionally, ports or Madeiras can also go well with Trifle depending on one’s preference.
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11. Tiramisu
Tiramisu is an Italian dessert made with layers of ladyfingers soaked in espresso and layered with a creamy mascarpone cheese mixture.
It is often topped with cocoa powder or grated chocolate.
This coffee and liqueur-infused Italian treat is best served with a sweet red dessert wine such as Recioto or Passito di Pantelleria, Moscato, or Asti Spumante.
The sweetness of the wine complements the richness of the cream and coffee flavors found in the dessert.
Sweet white wines are also excellent choices for pairing with Tiramisu, like a Riesling or Gewurztraminer.
Sparkling wines such as Prosecco and Champagne are classic pairings with Tiramisu that provide lightness and effervescence, which further heighten the experience of enjoying this delicious Italian dessert.
12. Carrot Cake
Carrot cake is a traditional dessert made with grated carrots, nuts, and spices like cinnamon. The cake itself is usually moist and flavorful, while the cream cheese frosting adds an extra sweetness to the dish.
When it comes to pairing wines with Carrot Cake, there are two main approaches: contrasting or complementary flavors.
For those who prefer contrasting pairings, a dry Riesling offers good acidity that can help cut through the richness of cream cheese frosting.
Another option would be a light-bodied white, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio which will bring out the sweetness of the cake without overpowering it.
For complementary flavors, sweet Moscato is a great option. Its light sweetness pairs nicely with the flavors of the cake and cream cheese frosting.
A slightly sweeter dessert wine such as a Late Harvest Riesling, Chenin Blanc, or Moscato d’Asti could also work well to bring out the richness of the carrot cake.
13. Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries are a sweet and delicious dessert that is perfect for any occasion. The combination of fresh, juicy strawberries and rich, creamy chocolate creates an irresistible treat.
It’s great to serve as a snack or even as a unique finale to your meal.
The best wines for pairing with Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries are sweet or semi-sweet varieties, such as Moscato or Riesling.
These light, fruity whites help to balance the sweetness of the desserts and provide a refreshing finish after each bite.
A dry sparkling wine like Prosecco can also work well when lightly chilled before serving.
For reds, a lighter-bodied wine like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais is ideal. These wines have the right balance of acidity and tannin to stand up to the richness of the chocolate, while their dark fruit notes create an enticing counterpoint to the sweetness.
14. Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Shortcake is a traditional dessert made of a sweet cake or biscuit topped with sweetened strawberries and whipped cream.
The best wine to go with Strawberry Shortcake is an off-dry sparkle such as Moscato d’Asti or Prosecco. These wines have sweetness and acidity that balance the sweetness of the strawberry topping and the richness of the cake or biscuit base.
The bubbles in these wines also provide refreshment along with texture contrast for a truly delightful experience.
For red wine
A lighter style, such as Pinot Noir or Gamay, will still offer enough fruitiness to complement the flavors of this delicious dessert.
15. Gulab Jamun, India
Gulab Jamun is a famous Indian dessert made with deep-fried dough balls soaked in syrup. It is usually served warm and garnished with almonds, pistachios, or saffron.
The best wine to pair with Gulab Jamun is a sweet, fruity white wine like Moscato or Riesling, as the sweetness of these wines will contrast and balance the intensity of the syrup-soaked dessert.
Red wine like
A light-bodied Shiraz or Pinot Noir. These wines are known for their subtle fruit flavors and gentle tannins that won’t overpower the delicate flavor of Gulab Jamun.