Never be afraid to dunk your biscuits in these. Luscious, rich, sweet hedonism in a glass: a broad church. Fresher, fruitier styles include Moscato d’Asti, German Riesling, sweet Sauvignon, Vouvray and Icewine. In altogether darker, richer, spicier territory are Port, Madeira, Australian stickies, Tokaji and Vin Santo.
What to drink them with? Lighter styles with fruit-based puds. The richer styles with blue cheese, dried fruit and all kids of indulgent desserts. Oh, and don’t forget chocolate. Some wines are so thick they need pouring over ice cream…
Find out more about matching food to these wines and the key wine styles in this category. Meanwhile, below are our top tips in the Sticky Fingers category.
Maury Solera 1928 Cask 849, Les Vignerons de Maury, 17%, France (£19.95 for 50cl, Berry Bros & Rudd) The day after Kantar published research indicating a third of Brits wouldn’t countenance paying more than a fiver for a bottle of wine, I popped into Berry Bros &...
Denbies The Brokes Botrytis Ortega 2016, 10%, England (£60 for 375 ml, Denbies) ‘Celebrating the sparkling success of English still wine’ is an inspired turn of phrase, and it belongs to Ruth Simpson. It was uttered at a masterclass I was hosting on English still wine together with...
The Ned Noble Sauvignon Blanc 2015, New Zealand (from £12.99 for 375 ml, Majestic or via Wine Searcher) It's isn't easy finding good sweet wines to suit not only your own taste but also to go with the food you have before you. What's more, the good ones just don't...
Disznókő Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 1999, Hungary, 11.5% (£40, Fine & Rare) If only all history lessons were this tasty. The Tokaj region in Hungary is famous for its historic sweet wine, for centuries the wine of kings until its fortunes took a turn for the worse...
Parcé Frères Rivesaltes Vin Doux Naturel 1996, France, 16.5% (£14, The Wine Society) We served this wine blind to the 30 Master of Wine students who valiantly came to Winchester to practice for their tasting exams at our annual boot camp. While not everyone identified it correctly, most...
Ramos Pinto Quinta do Bom Retiro 20 Year Old Tawny Port, Portugal (£35 for 50cl, Oddbins & others) There’s still a touch of fiery ruby at the heart of this gorgeous, amber-hued tawny. The nose is rich and raisined while the palate is smooth, biscuity and mouth-coating....