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Full-bodied and elegant, La Craie Vouvray explodes with fragrant fruit: peaches and apricots drizzled with honey, earthy chamomile. It has a burst of sweetness on the tongue but finishes dry and luscious. The best of both worlds. Read more: Wine review: La Craie 2009 Vouvray This brand has gotten HUGELY popular in the past few years, mainly by releasing sweeter, less complex wines for the masses. Unabashed in their promotion and their choice of tropical-tasting, fragrant grapes, the winemakers at Folie à Deux (the producer) have struck a chord — with seemingly everyone from critics to consumers in this Juicy Fruit Gum-like white wine. Read more: Wine review: Menage a Trois 2008 White Blend The uber-fragrant Muscat grape thrives in the hills of Italy’s Piedmont region, where artisans produce the effervescent and sweet Moscato d’Asti. It’s related to Asti Spumante, but only as you are to your hick cousins in West Virginia. Low in alcohol, these flowery dessert substitutes taste soft and lush, like this one from Batasiolo. The roses, effusive peaches, apricot Read more: Batasiolo 2007 Moscato d’Asti Many Moscatos come from Italy’s Asti region but this one originates from the Chieti province in Abruzzo. Loaded with peaches, tangerine and honey, this sweet sparkler satisfies a craving but also pairs well with Asian food.3.5 stars out of 5. Sweetness=6 out of 10 (dry to sweet). $10 This family-owned boutique winery in California doesn’t make a large quantity of this truly remarkable wine (586 cases) but it’s worth the effort to find it. Chocolatey, with rich blueberry-pie-filling flavors and dried cherry. You’d think it would be cloyingly sweet with this flavor activity but it’s kept in check with a refreshing acidity. 3.5 stars out of 5. Read more: Dashe 2006 Late Harvest Zinfandel Dry Creek From one of Portugal’s oldest port houses in existence comes a relatively affordable juice. Lighter in style (but not in flavor) than many other tawnies, it’s raisiny with toasted hazelnuts, sweet toffee and a hint of pine.4 stars out of 5. Sweetness=7 out of 10 (dry to sweet). $26 From an Australian and American family partnership emerges a 5-year-old tawny port infused with melted chocolate. This drink will suffice for both dessert and wine. Tastes like a liquid tootsie roll laced with dark roasted coffee and caramel. Delicious, even for non-port-lovers. 3.5 stars out of 5. Sweetness=7 out of 10 (dry to sweet). $35 4 stars out of 5. Sweetness=6 out of 10 (dry to sweet). $12 3.5 stars out of 5. Sweetness=6 out of 10 (dry to sweet). $15 4 stars out of 5. Sweetness=5 out of 10 (dry to sweet). $18 |
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