As a sommelier and brewer, I have had the pleasure of tasting and experiencing a wide variety of fruit wines from all over the world. While it is challenging to determine the absolute “best” fruit wine in the world, there are certainly some exceptional options worth exploring.
1. Icewine: Icewine, also known as Eiswein, is a luxurious and highly prized fruit wine made from grapes that have been left on the vine until they freeze. This process concentrates the sugars and flavors, resulting in a lusciously sweet and complex wine. Canada, particularly the Niagara region, is renowned for its exceptional Icewines, with flavors ranging from honeyed apricot to tropical fruits.
2. Riesling Spätlese: While Riesling is primarily known for its dry expressions, the Spätlese style from Germany produces exceptional fruit wines. Spätlese translates to “late harvest,” indicating that the grapes are picked at a later stage of ripeness, allowing for a higher level of natural sweetness. These wines showcase a harmonious balance of acidity and fruitiness, with flavors ranging from peach and pear to citrus and tropical fruits.
3. Sauternes: Sauternes, hailing from the Bordeaux region in France, is a renowned sweet wine made from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes affected by noble rot. This noble rot, known as botrytis, dehydrates the grapes and concentrates their sugars, resulting in a rich and honeyed wine with flavors of apricot, pineapple, and caramel. Sauternes is often considered the pinnacle of dessert wines.
4. Port: While not strictly a fruit wine, Port deserves a mention for its exceptional fruit-driven character. Originating from the Douro Valley in Portugal, Port is a fortified wine made from a blend of indigenous grape varieties. It showcases intense flavors of blackberries, cherries, plums, and figs, along with a luscious sweetness and a complex array of spices. Port offers a wide range of styles, from the fruity and approachable Ruby Port to the rich and opulent Vintage Port.
5. Fruit wines from New Zealand: New Zealand is renowned for its vibrant and expressive wines, and their fruit wines are no exception. Kiwifruit, feijoa, and blackcurrant wines are some of the unique and delicious offerings from the country. These fruit wines capture the essence of New Zealand's pristine environment and showcase flavors that are true to the fruits themselves.
It's important to note that the “best” fruit wine is subjective and can vary depending on personal preference and individual tasting experiences. Exploring different fruit wines from various regions can be an exciting and enlightening journey, allowing you to discover your own favorites and expand your understanding of the world of wine.