2010 Quady Electra Orange Muscat, California
Clear medium straw color, with a light fizz. A sugary-sweet nose of fresh honey, geranium and orange marmalade lead to a syrupy sweetness in the mouth and flavors that echo the honey and orange marmalade. This is the perfect wine to have with a… Read more
2010 Salt of the Earth Flore de Moscato, California
For more than three decades, winemaker Andrew Quady has been producing some of the best sweet Muscats and Port-style wines in the United States. This one (a blend of Orange Muscat and Muscat Canelli) demonstrates the aroma and flavor profile of the… Read more
2003 Fattoria Cabanon ‘Oro’ Passito, Pavia, Italy
Hazy brown, almost liquorish — until the smell, a powerful whiff of strawberries and cream, vanilla, maple bourbon caramel and wildflower honey with very little apparent alcohol. Like the best passito-styled wines, this isn’t necessarily a dessert… Read more
Vinedo de los Vientos ‘Alcyone’ Dessert Tannat, Atlantido, Uruguay
Crimson red with a brown tinge, this fortified wine is like nothing you’ve ever tasted — in liquid form, that is. Bittersweet chocolate dominates the aroma, joined by a hint of red cherry in the background. In the mouth, it’s like you’ve… Read more
2009 Sforzano Gewurztraminer, Alisos Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
An off-dry wine with a steely note, joined by hints of rosewater, lychee and guava. Potentially, a very nice wine, but difficult to assess because it was served so cold. Price: $18 (Wine Country, Orcutt, Calif.; July 2011) Wine Lines rating: Not… Read more
2009 Bouké ‘Bouquet’ White Dessert Wine, North Fork of Long Island, N.Y.
Mostly Chardonnay and a splash of Gewurztraminer. Muscat-like aromas of rose petals and orange marmalade. Overtly sweet in the mouth, with a pear note and a syrupy impression of tropical fruit. Acidity keeps it from being cloying. Great match with… Read more
2009 Bouké ‘Bouquet’ Red Dessert Wine, North Fork of Long Island, N.Y.
This blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Pinot Noir has a candied, menthol nose with noticeable alcohol. Milk chocolate, some pepper and extracted syrupy red fruits emerge, while black pepper dominates the mouth, joined by raspberry and cherry. A nice treat… Read more
2009 Arvay ‘Sweet Life,’ Tokaj, Hungary
This sweetie from Paul Hobbs Imports exhibits excellent balance and length. Its aromas and flavors of honeyed apricot, créme brulee, celery stalk and white pepper are not at all cloying. Along with blue cheese, “Sweet Life” — a blend of Furmint,… Read more
2005 Nivole Moscato d’Asti, Italy
Rich aromatics of honeysuckle, mint geranium, sweet plum and lemon/lime. The frizzante style keeps the finish clean. MSRP: $12.99/375-ml.) (November 2006) Wine Lines rating: 89 Group:… Read more
