How to pair wine with dessert
Wine with dessert can be a match made in heaven when you pick the right one, says WCellar's Rebecca Constable. Find out more about Noble Late Harvest and why you can pair it with dessert as well as your favourite cheeses.
WHAT IS NOBLE LATE HARVEST?
It's a sweet dessert wine with good acidity -- you might see it called NLH on wine labels -- made from grapes infected by a fungus called noble rot, or Botrytis cinerea. The fungus leeches water from the grapes, concentrating the sugars and acids, resulting in a nectar-like, golden wine that's usually made in small quantities.
WHAT ARE THE FLAVOURS TO LOOK FOR?
Marmalade, honey and rye bread flavours are easy to pick up in Noble Late Harvest wines. You might also notice floral and spicy notes, or be reminded of dried stone fruit.
WHAT ARE THE BEST FOOD PAIRINGS?
WCellar's Rebecca Constable says the Ken Forrester Noble Late Harvest is a decadent pairing with brandy snaps filled with cream, caramel and Nutella. "Ken's NLH is made from Chenin Blanc. The peach and tropical fruit notes will add freshness, while the acidity will cut through some of the richness. It will be the equivalent of adding a 'kiquid honey' topping, the ultimate indulgence."
But just because it's a sweet wine doesn't mean you have to limit yourself to dessert. The harmonious balance between sweetness and fresh acidity also makes it the perfect partner to chicken liver pâté and cheese.
Sommelier Tinashe Nyamudoka says his ultimate way to enjoy Ken Forrester's NLH is with blue cheese and preserved figs, which complement the layers of peach and apricot in the wine, as well as tropical notes and wood spice. Tinashe's top tip: the wine should be well chilled before you pour it.