{"title":"Dessert Wines","description":"\u003cp\u003eDessert wines are, as the name suggests, sweet varieties intended to accompany after-dinner puddings. These rich and flavourful wines are made with extra-sweet grape varieties, and undergo a fermentation process that stops short of the point at which all sugar has been converted to alcohol.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eDesigned to be sipped in small glasses, dessert wines are usually sold in half bottles, and you’ll find several excellent choices in the Vineking collection of dessert wines. We’ve picked out some familiar names, including moscato and Tokaji, alongside some more unusual treats – all selected for their fantastic quality and value.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"2023-domaine-baumard-coteaux-de-layon-half-bottle","title":"2023 Domaine Baumard Coteaux de Layon Carte d'Or Half Bottle","description":"\u003cp\u003eFlorent Baumard has courted controversy in the region by bucking tradition, pursuing his own winemaking ideas, and making a point to always challenge the status quo. He caused quite a stir when he shunned cork closures in favour of screw caps – Zut Alors! His current mantra is to allow each of his wines to express the individuality of each vintage, so he makes his wine with as little intervention as he can possibly get away with.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThis delicious dessert wine has beautiful, honeyed notes on the nose, with yellow fruits and more tropical characteristics such as mango, guava, and pineapple. Despite its tropical character, it is very fresh on the palate and has a zip of acidity, which prevents it from feeling sticky or cloying, which after a heavy meal is the last thing you’d need. This is a luscious dessert wine, and one that will round off any meal with memorable finesse and elegance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Domaine Baumard","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42615433461834,"sku":"L209001232","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2140\/3211\/files\/2023_Domaine_Baumard_Coteaux_de_Layon.png?v=1762874888"},{"product_id":"bodegas-ximenez-spinola-px-old-harvest-solera-1964-50cl","title":"Bodegas Ximenez Spinola PX Old Harvest Solera 1964 50cl","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere are not many wineries that have built their success by focusing on just one grape variety, let alone one that has been almost permanently out of fashion, but that is precisely what Bodegas Ximénez-Spínola have done since 1729.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorking solely with Pedro Ximénez, they produce a selection of fascinating dry wines, dessert wines and sherries that bring all of their 300 years of experience to bear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA singular Sherry born entirely of PX. It marries two soleras: one, a dry, oxidative line begun in 1964 that drinks like an oloroso; the other, a sweeter solera dating back to 1918, whose wines now average 25 years of age. Hand-harvested Pedro Ximénez grapes are left to sun-dry for three extra days beyond the normal harvest. They are collected in small 15 kg boxes to preserve quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFermentation takes place in barrel until reaching 17% alcohol naturally, or through concentration in the cask if needed. The wine is incorporated into the 1964 solera — a rare oxidative ageing PX, showing finesse closer to Palo Cortado or Oloroso than to traditional sweet PX. Alcohol integration is delicate, with minimal perception on the palate. To prevent refermentation and add balance, a touch of raisin must is carefully added during ageing, building to 45 g\/L residual sugar in the final year. Selected barrels are blended a year before bottling to highlight oxidative depth while avoiding harsh oak, aiming for harmony between age, tannin, fermentation character, and the variety’s natural elegance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"video-responsive\"\u003eIn the glass it shifts from light amber and old gold to a faint green edge, with steady legs. The nose is striking and alluring — honeyed yet lifted, packed with dried fruit (raisin at the core, but remarkably fresh), quince jelly, gentle oxidative hints, seasoned wood, cinnamon. Unlike the dense, dark PX stereotype, this shows brightness and charm. On the palate it lands medium-dry, the acidity keeping the sweetness taut and lively. The quince-raisin character dominates, laced with a touch of gingerbread. Broader and more textural than palomino Sherries, it stays graceful, long, and very clean. The finish runs and runs. Utterly delicious — generous and approachable.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Vineking","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43368582217802,"sku":"S251601NV1","price":35.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2140\/3211\/files\/PXSolrea.png?v=1776924763"},{"product_id":"2024-bodegas-ximenez-spinola-px-delicado-50cl","title":"2024 Bodegas Ximenez Spinola PX Delicado 50cl","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere are not many wineries that have built their success by focusing on just one grape variety, let alone one that has been almost permanently out of fashion, but that is precisely what Bodegas Ximénez-Spínola have done since 1729.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorking solely with Pedro Ximénez, they produce a selection of fascinating dry wines, dessert wines and sherries that bring all of their 300 years of experience to bear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe winery sources grapes from its own 20 hectares of Pedro Ximénez vineyards grown organically (albeit without official seal). José Antonio Zarzana focuses on quality and exclusivity - only limited and numbered editions from its annual solera selection are sold so it is arguably the winery with the smallest production in Marco de Jerez, an area covering the towns of Jerez, El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. They have recently moved to a small but well-tended winery on the road to Sanlúcar, in an area surrounded by vineyards. Bunches are harvested by hand and collected in 15kg boxes to keep the grapes in pristine condition. They then spend at least 21 days exposed to the sun, which causes them to slowly dehydrate, concentrating the sugars to give elegant natural sweetness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrapes are hand harvested and carefully laid on the ground on food mats, not in the open field but in the beds (lanes between the vines), so that during the shaded periods, the skin can accumulate tartaric acidity. Exposure to the sun slowly and gradually dehydrates each grape, evaporating water and concentrating natural fructose. Only 300 kilos of raisins are obtained per ton of fresh grapes. Grapes are then transferred back to the wine press in crates, equivalent to the work of a double harvest. Once the grapes arrive at the winery they are pressed, obtaining only 200 liters of must per ton of fresh grapes, which ultimately gives this wine an extremely low final yield.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"video-responsive\"\u003eAn enticing mellow deep golden colour, with exceptional aromas from the sun dried grapes; notes of orange peel and herbs. Smooth, round and intense on the palate with currants, dried apricots, toasted wood and immense concentration of fruit on the palate.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bodegas Ximenez Spinola","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43368584052810,"sku":"S251602241","price":31.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2140\/3211\/files\/PXDelicato.png?v=1776924695"},{"product_id":"2021-tsiakkas-commandaria-50cl","title":"2021 Tsiakkas Commandaria 50cl","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTsiakkas Winery is located in Pelendri village in Limassol region. Costas Tsiakkas established the winery in 1988 which he runs with his wife Maria. They own 5 hectares of fantastic mountainous vineyards which are located at an altitude of 1000-1400m. The winery emphasises the production of high quality wines from indigenous varieties.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMade from 98% Xynisteri, 2% Mavro.  Intense fruit aromas of sweet pergamont, mature apricot and figs. It is accompanied with a nutty and toffee aftertaste. A \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewell balanced wine with a harmony between fruitiness, acidity and sweetness\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Vineking","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43398542262346,"sku":"G202105212","price":52.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"2025-cantina-del-nebbiolo-moscato-dasti","title":"2025 Cantina del Nebbiolo Moscato d'Asti","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is the classic dessert wine with an invitingly straw-yellow colour and golden highlights. Its nicely aromatic nose shows floral overtones and nice hints of fruit, peach and honey. Its sweet taste reminds the freshly picked grapes and merges perfectly with a long, fragrant aroma.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExcellent with all types of desserts, various pastries, and fresh fruit. Try it with medium-aged goat cheeses\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cantina del Nebbiolo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43596222300234,"sku":"I541901251","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2140\/3211\/files\/Screenshot2026-05-14142319.png?v=1778765034"},{"product_id":"2020-chateau-de-rayne-madame-de-rayne-half-bottle","title":"2020 Chateau de Rayne Madame de Rayne Half Bottle","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParcel-by-parcel vineyard management, based on certified reasoned farming practices, ensures precision viticulture while fully respecting environmental balance. The vineyard is located at the highest point of the Sauternes appellation, bordering the Ciron River, and is surrounded by prestigious neighbors such as Château d’Yquem, Château La Tour Blanche, and Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach year, the vines stand ready for the slow encroachment of noble rot, Botrytis cinerea. Harvesting remains firmly rooted in tradition and is conducted through successive selective passes (“tries”), with each berry picked only when perfectly “roasted” by the fungus. Depending on the vintage, between four and eight manual sorting rounds are required. Château Rayne-Vigneau benefits from a dedicated harvest‑receiving facility — a fully refurbished space where every carefully chosen batch is pressed with gentle precision. The grapes undergo vinification partly in new oak barrels. Once fermentation concludes, the musts are drawn off their lees and stabilised. Ageing then continues in oak barrels, half of which are renewed each year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTasting Note: A wine of great delicacy and pronounced fruitiness. The nose is lively and intense, marked by notes of pear nectar and fresh pineapple. On the palate, it displays beautiful structure and perfect balance, supported by vibrant acidity. It reveals flavours of candied lemon, mirabelle plum and a finish delicately spiced with gingerbread.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFood matching: An ideal accompaniment to desserts, foie gras, delicate white meats, and characterful cheeses.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Château de Rayne","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43621719081034,"sku":"B200105202","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2140\/3211\/files\/BOTTLE_6703.png?v=1779466749"},{"product_id":"2021-guillaume-gonnet-muscat-de-beaumes-de-venise-50cl","title":"2021 Guillaume Gonnet Muscat de Beaumes de Venise 50cl","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe energetic and charismatic Guillaume Gonnet is not your average Rhône winemaker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExtremely open in his attitude, his curious, boundary-challenging approach extends far beyond wine. He has travelled to the far ends of the earth, revelling in the opportunity to surf some of the best waves in the world while learning his craft in various Australian and New Zealand regions. Returning to the Rhône with his Australian wife Kelly, Guillaume has put similar energy into his family estate and his new-found enthusiasm for Grenache-based wines. Guillaume allows the fruit to express itself freely through hands-off winemaking and displaying a fascination for the varying soils of the Rhône in his diverse wines, he’s just the sort of restless creative that we love to work with.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTasting Note: This ‘vin doux naturel’ has an enticing aroma of flowers, peaches and apricots, which mingle with honey and ripe melon flavours. A seductively luscious sweet wine that is balanced by beautifully bright, sinuous acidity through to the finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFood matching: Perfect with blue cheeses or pâte but sublime with fruit based desserts or as an aperitif.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Guillaume Gonnet","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43621744148554,"sku":"R118809212","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2140\/3211\/files\/BOTTLE_4561.png?v=1779467188"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2140\/3211\/collections\/dessert-and-fortified-wine_168221aa-7342-42d2-bf14-f224cf1b27ea.jpg?v=1692967384","url":"https:\/\/thevineking.com\/collections\/dessert\/gra-pedro-ximenez.oembed","provider":"The Vineking","version":"1.0","type":"link"}