Red dessert wines often pair well with fresh fruit.
Vino is the Italian and Spanish word for "wine." Italy produces various types of wines that include red, white, sparkling and dessert. Depending on the type, dessert wines are made with white or red grapes, and can come in colors that include honey, amber, white or red. Red Italian dessert wines tend to be sweet and are often consumed in small quantities as an aperitif before dinner, or as an accompaniment to dessert after dinner.
Malvasia
There are two types of Malvasia wine: Malvasia Bianca and Malvasia Nera, each made with either the Bianca or Nera grape. Malvasia Nera grapes are used to make a sweet red dessert wine. This process consists of first thoroughly drying the Malvasia grapes, then crushing them after they are dry so that the sugar is given a chance to concentrate as the water from each grape evaporates. Malvasia tastes of pears and spice, with a fresh, sweet fruit flavor. The grape is commonly grown throughout Italy and other parts of the world.
Recioto
Recioto, also known as Recioto della Valpolicella, is a traditional red dessert wine made in the Venetian region of Italy using a blend of Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Molinara grapes. The Valpolicella wine family comes in different colors and flavors, but Recioto is the red dessert wine subsection of Valpolicella wine. Recioto is a full-bodied, velvety red with aromas of chocolate, vanilla, violet and mature fruit. Recioto della Valpolicella is not meant to be aged for longer than three years.
Aleatico
Aleatico is a red dessert wine that is mostly grown in Southern Italy, including Apulia, the Salento Peninsula, Elba and Lazio. Its origins and parentage are unknown, but according to food website Alta Cucina Inc., most people agree that Aleatico came from the Muscat grape family. Aleatico has aromas of rose, lychee and berries, and is best paired with dessert tarts or fruits, to bring out the berry flavors.
Brachetto d'Acqui
Brachetto d'Acqui comes from the Acqui area of Piedmont, Italy. The sweet red dessert wine is made with Brachetto grapes, and is usually lightly sparkling with a low alcohol content level. Brachetto d'Acqui is medium-bodied and has hints of black raspberry, black cherry, tar, clove, violets and orchids. It's different than most Italian dessert wines in that it is not overtly sweet, and instead possesses traces of sweetness. The wine pairs well with fruit, chocolate or cheesecake.
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