Most people enjoy their desserts with a cup of coffee or tea. However, sweet treats perfectly pair well with wine. If you’re curious about eating your favorite treat with a glass of wine, below is a short guide to help you choose the best drink that complements your favorite dessert at your favorite wine shop.

A Guide on Wine & Dessert Pairings

Light, Buttery Desserts

When picking a wine, consider its acidity, intensity, and sweetness. These factors affect how well the wine will complement the dessert’s flavors. For instance, white wines like the late-harvest Riesling, demi-sec champagne, classic Chardonnay, and the German dry white Gewurztraminer go perfectly well with custard- and vanilla-flavored desserts. The slight acidity and sweetness of white wine balances out the light, buttery flavors of crème brulee, vanilla cake, and custard tart.

Fruity & Spicy Treats

Some desserts come with fruits, spices, or both, so pick something from the wine shop that enhances their taste. If you’re serving apple pie as a sweet ending, pair it with a glass of dry Riesling or fizzy Prosecco to match the acidity and round off the sweetness. Like Riesling, Moscato possesses a light, sweet taste that goes well with apples, pears, and similar tree fruits. However, if you prefer tangy desserts such as lemon meringue pie or sorbet, pair them with Chardonnay, champagne, ice wine, or pink Moscato. These wines are sweet and offset the acidity of the citrus dessert.

Dark & Rich Sweets

Generally, the darker the dessert, the redder the wine you must pick from the wine shop. Chocolates and caramels taste rich and buttery, so go with deep reds like pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and ruby port. Pair your decadent chocolate dessert of mousse, truffle, or torte with a glass of robust-flavored red like Shiraz or late-harvest Zinfandel to enhance the flavors and cut through the richness.

All Flavors With Rose

There are a few desserts with complex flavors, such as tiramisu, pumpkin pie, and cheesecake. Instead of choosing between reds and whites, go with a glass of sparkling rose. It’s versatile enough to cut through the creaminess of cheesecake, complement the richness of tiramisu, and offset the spiciness of pumpkin pie. Aside from rose, sherry and champagne are two second-best alternatives.

Pairing wine with dessert is a pleasant way to end a meal. For premium quality wine and spirits, drop by the Universal Discount Package Store. As the premier wine shop in Norwich, CT, they have the largest selection of wine and spirits throughout Southeastern Connecticut. They also carry microbrews, beer kegs, and a slew of liquors. Call (860) 889-6555 or visit their website to learn more about their wine selection.