Sweet Alternatives to Sauternes



Sauternes is difficult to produce and,like all highly prized wines, expensive--often $40 to $60 or more a bottle. But other dessert wines that cost half as much can be nearly as versatile on the table.

Loire Anjou and Quarts de Chaume offer lighter, stylish Chenin Blanc- based sweet wines: Domaine Ogereau and Domaine des Baumard, respectively. 

Rhône Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise is wonderfully fragrant and penetrating. Try bottlings by Prosper Maufoux and Paul Jaboulet Aîné. 

California Golden State vineyards turn out a number of sweet wines, such as the luscious Far Niente Dolce, made from the classic Sauternes blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, and Quady's fruity Muscat-based Essencia. 

Australia Honey-sweet "stickies" (sweet wines to you, mate) include Yalumba Show Reserve Muscat and Peter Lehmann Semillon Sauternes. 



            

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