I know what you’re thinking. Sweet wine with high alcohol content? Is that even possible? Oh, it’s for real, and I’ll prove it in this article. Get ready to indulge in some seriously decadent sips that will have you feeling warm and fuzzy in no time.
Say goodbye to boring wine nights and hello to a flavour explosion of our list of best sweet wines with high alcohol content that will leave your taste buds dancing and your head spinning (in the best way possible, of course!).
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15 Best Sweet Wine With High Alcohol Content
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Here are some of the best sweet wines with high alcohol content.
1. Pedro Ximénez (ABV: 15% – 22%)
The first on our list of sweet wines with high alcohol content we’ve Pedro Ximénez, or PX for short which you’ll see on the wine bottle, a dessert wine that’s arguably the sweetest wine with highest alcohol content in the world! It’s made from grapes of the same name which are grown in a part of Spain called Montilla-Moriles.
The grapes are left out in the sun to dry, which makes them super concentrated and sugary. The result is a dark, syrupy wine that has aroma of dried fruits along with honey, jam, and coffee. Did we mention that it’s pretty boozy, too? Like 15-22% alcohol content boozy!
Pedro Ximénez is perfect for sipping after dinner or pairing with something sweet, like bitter chocolate or strong cheese. You can even use it in your cooking to add some extra flavour to your sauces and marinades. But if you want to make its notes more prominent, you can age it to a decade or more in oak barrels.
2. 1984 D’Oliveiras Bual Vintage Madeira (ABV: 20%)
D’Oliveiras Bual Vintage Madeira is a fortified wine made from the traditional method of making Madeira wine, known as “Fino”. This is the way that it has been made for centuries in the region of Porto and its surroundings. The grapes are grown in the vineyards surrounding this area, which are some of the oldest vineyards in Portugal.
With ABV 0f 20%, this incredible wine has a beautiful amber color and a rich, velvety texture. It smells amazing, with hints of caramel, toffee, roasted nuts, and dried fruits like apricots and raisins. When you take a sip, you’ll taste a blend of caramelized fruit, honey, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Serve it slightly chilled after dinner with a sweet dessert like a fruit tart or cheesecake, or with some strong cheeses like Roquefort or Stilton. Or, just enjoy it on its own as a dessert wine or aperitif.
3. Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Doc. (ABV: 15.5%)
This wine is made from Trebbiano, Malvasia, and Sangiovese grapes that go through a natural drying process before being pressed and aged for seven years in oak casks. After 7 years, the wine is bottled and aged for another 6 months. It’s a beautiful golden yellow colour with aromas of peach, apricot, pineapple, and tropical dried fruit.
On the palate, it’s soft and elegant with a great balance of acidity and sweetness. It has a nice oak structure and a long finish that will keep you sipping.
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4. DOC Chambave Muscat Flétri (ABV: 13.5%)
This award-winning wine is made from 100% Muscat Petit Grain grapes that are dried naturally in crates. It’s fermented in stainless steel tanks with a skin maceration before being aged for 12 months in steel and 4 months in bottles.
It has a strong aroma of flowers, fruit, and herbs like thyme and sage, with flavours of yellow peach, honey, and almonds. It’s one of the sweetest wine with highest alcohol content with a good body and a long finish that tastes of almonds and honey.
This wine is perfect for dessert, especially with plain pastries, foie gras, and wafers.
5. 2009 Chateau Coutet
This multi-award winner and critically acclaimed incredible wine is a perfect blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and a few other varietals.
When you pour it into a glass, you’ll notice a gorgeous golden colour, loaded with all sorts of rich and complex aromas of white and yellow fruits – pineapples, and spring flowers, along with more delicate notes of tea, verbena, and honey.
When you take a sip, the flavours of yellow fruits and citrus hit you right away, and then it all melts into this smooth, velvety texture that just feels amazing in your mouth. This wine is perfect for pairing with rich, creamy cheeses, decadent desserts like crème brûlée.
6. 2019 Orange Muscat Essensia Quady Winery (15%)
This multi-gold award achiever, remarkable full-bodied wine is made up of Orange Muscat grapes. It has a rich golden appearance with flavours of orange, apricot, and pear, and balanced acidity.
This sweet wine with high alcohol content goes exceptionally well with desserts like chocolate, peach, and apple, or add to truffles and cheesecakes.
7. 2020 Domaine de Durban Muscat de Beaumes of Venice (ABV: 15%)
This heartthrob is made from 100 Muscat grapes. On the palate, it’s a burst of sweetness with flavours of peaches, apricots, and honey. The wine has a perfect balance of acidity that makes it refreshing and not overly sweet.
It’s perfect for enjoying with desserts like a fruit tart or creme brulee or pairs it with some sharp cheese for a delightful contrast.
8. Niepoort Ruby Port (ABV: 19.5%)
Niepoort Ruby Port is a rich and fruity fortified wine that originates from Portugal’s Douro Valley. It is made by blending different vintages of red wine from local grape varieties like Touriga Nacional, Tinta Francisca, and more. The result is a deep ruby coloured wine with aromas and flavours of dark fruits such as blackberry, black cherry, and plum, as well as some hints of figs.
On the palate, it is full-bodied and rich, with a smooth texture and a sweet finish. It’s great on its own or paired with soft cheeses, chocolate desserts, or nuts.
Recommended Read: 8 Best Sweet Red Wine Brands: From Affordable to Expensive
9. Park Pineau des Charentes (ABV: 17%)
Bronze medal winner of the San Francisco World Spirits competition 2017, this remarkable fortified wine made is by blending 50% Montils, 30% Colombard, and 20% Ugni blanc varietals with Cognac eau-de-vie, then ageing the resulting mixture in oak barrels for several years.
This stuff has got some serious flavour, with fruity, flowery, and spicy notes that all blend together really nicely. The finish? It’s got this fullness that just keeps on going.
When it comes to serving, you’d want to chill it first – it’s perfect for sipping before a meal or mixing up some cocktails. But if you’re looking for some snack pairings, you can’t go wrong with cheese, crème brulée, or foie gras.
10. Don PX Gran Reserva 1994 (ABV: 17%)
Don PX Gran Reserva 1994 is a stunning example of the Pedro Ximénez style. This almost black wine with a luscious, syrupy texture and an intensely sweet flavour is packed with notes of raisins, figs, dates, molasses, and other dried fruits. It’s incredibly rich and full-bodied, with a velvety smoothness that coats your mouth and lingers on the finish.
Perfect for savouring after a meal or pairing with strong cheeses, dark chocolate, or other rich desserts, it’s a truly decadent treat that’s sure to impress any wine lover.
11. Mount Pleasant Vintage Port (ABV: 19.5%)
In the glass, the wine has a deep, rich black garnet coloru. But what about the aroma and taste? Get ready for some serious yum. You’ll pick up on notes of dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and this delicious molasses cake with baked raisins. There’s also a hint of balsamic glaze and black licorice in there.
As for the texture, it’s sweet, given it’s a part of our list of sweet wines with high alcohol content and smooth, with a medium body that’s just right. The finish? It’s not too long, but it’s definitely satisfying.
When it comes to pairing this wine with food, you can’t go wrong with some nice chocolates or some tasty cheese.
12. 2007 D’Oliveiras Madeira (ABV: 19.8%)
The 2007 D’Oliveiras Madeira is a superb example of a well-aged fortified wine from the island of Madeira, which lies off the coast of Portugal. This wine is full-bodied and packs a punch with flavours like maple syrup and sweet baking spices.
The finish? It’s got a really nice brightness to it, which complements the wine’s sweetness perfectly. Enjoy it with coffee and dark chocolate or on its own.
13. Pelligrino Superiore Reserva (ABV: 18%)
This Italian fortified wine comes from the island of Sicily. It is made from a blend of Grillo, Catarratto, and Inzolia grape varieties, and is aged for at least four years in oak barrels.
In the glass, the wine has a beautiful amber colour with golden highlights. It has a complex aroma with hints of dried fruit, caramel, vanilla, and oak. On the palate, the wine is rich and full-bodied, with flavours of raisins, caramel, honey, and almonds.
It pairs well with desserts such as fruit tarts or biscotti, as well as savory dishes such as roasted meats or stews.
14. Chateau d’Yquem (ABV: 14.8%)
Chateau d’Yquem is a highly acclaimed winery located in Sauternes, Bordeaux, known for producing one of the most sought-after sweet white wines in the world. Made from a blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes affected by noble rot, the wine is aged in oak barrels for years, resulting in a full-bodied and luscious flavour profile with notes of honey, apricot, and vanilla.
Chateau d’Yquem pairs well with foie gras, blue cheese, and fruit-based desserts.
15. Sandeman Fine Tawny Port (ABV: 19.5%)
Sandeman Fine Tawny Port is a sweet wine produced in Portugal’s Douro Valley. It has a light intense body with red-amber colour and aromas of vanilla and dried fruits.
The taste is a fresh blend of red fruits and wood aging, with a good finish. This decadent port goes well with desserts that have caramel or nuts and can also be enjoyed as an aperitif.
Parting Words
If you’re looking to try something daring and out of your comfort zone, then sweet wines with high alcohol content are definitely worth trying. While they may not be the best choice for everyday drinking, they are perfect for special occasions and can pair well with a variety of foods. Choose any of the wines mentioned above to start with and go from there!
