The best sweet wines for Christmas: pudding, mince pie and cheese matches

Sweet wines are the unsung heroes of Christmas. A small glass with pudding, mince pies or the cheese board turns the end of a meal into something special. If you think you don’t like sweet wine, the great ones might surprise you: they’re rich and luscious but balanced by fresh acidity, never cloying. Here’s our guide to the best sweet wines for Christmas.

The golden rule for dessert wines

The wine should be at least as sweet as the food. If the dessert is sweeter than the wine, the wine will taste thin and sour. That’s why Christmas pudding needs a very sweet wine, while a fruit tart can work with something lighter.

Sauternes and Monbazillac

Sauternes, from Bordeaux, is one of the world’s great sweet wines. It’s made from grapes affected by “noble rot”, a beneficial fungus that concentrates sugar and flavour. Expect honey, apricot, marmalade and toasted nuts.

Château Violet Sauternes is a lovely introduction in a handy half bottle. Monbazillac, from nearby Bergerac, offers a similar style at a lower price: try Château Ramon Monbazillac or Domaine de Grange Neuve Monbazillac.

Serve with: fruit tarts, crème brûlée, trifle and blue cheese.

Tokaji

Hungary’s famous Tokaji Aszú is rich and golden, with apricot, orange and honey balanced by vibrant acidity. Tokajicum Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos is a superb example, and Tokajicum Tokaji Muscat Late Harvest is lighter and more floral.

Serve with: apple and fruit desserts, pâté and blue cheese.

Botrytis wines from the New World

De Bortoli Noble One from Australia is one of the most celebrated dessert wines in the world, with layers of marmalade, honey and stone fruit. From South Africa, Nederburg Noble Late Harvest offers great value.

Pedro Ximénez sherry

PX is made from sun-dried grapes and is almost unbelievably rich: think figs, raisins, treacle and coffee. It’s the perfect match for Christmas pudding, and amazing poured over vanilla ice cream.

González Byass Néctar PX and Lustau San Emilio PX are both brilliant, and González Byass Noé is a very old, intense PX for a real treat.

Serve with: Christmas pudding, chocolate desserts and ice cream.

Port

Port is a Christmas essential. Tawny port’s nutty, caramel flavours suit mince pies and Christmas cake, while ruby and LBV port suit chocolate and Stilton.

Graham’s 10 Year Old Tawny is a superb all-rounder, and Graham’s LBV is great with the cheese board. Read our full port guide.

Sweet wines for chocolate

Chocolate is tricky to pair, but rich red sweet wines handle it brilliantly. Quady Elysium Black Muscat has rose and lychee aromas that are gorgeous with dark chocolate. Rubis Chocolate Wine is a fun, chocolate-infused Tempranillo, and Tre Secoli Brachetto d’Acqui is a light, sweet sparkling red that’s lovely with chocolate and berries.

Light and fizzy sweet wines

If rich dessert wines aren’t for you, try something lighter. Moscato d’Asti is gently sparkling, sweet and low in alcohol: Canti Moscato d’Asti is perfect with fruit, panettone or Christmas morning pastries.

Madeira and Christmas cake

Rich Madeira is wonderful with Christmas cake and mince pies. Blandy’s Duke of Clarence is a classic choice, and it keeps for months once opened.

How to serve sweet wine

• Serve chilled, around 6–8°C, except port and PX, which are best at cool room temperature or lightly chilled.
• Small glasses: a 50–75ml serving is plenty.
• Half bottles are perfect: many dessert wines come in 37.5cl or 50cl bottles, ideal for a small group.

FAQs

What is the best sweet wine for Christmas pudding?

Pedro Ximénez sherry or tawny port.

How long do sweet wines last once opened?

Sauternes and Tokaji keep for a week or two in the fridge; port, PX and Madeira last much longer.

For the rest of the meal, see our guide to the best Christmas wines.