Wine list - Formed Sweet

Formed Sweet

Taylors 10 year old Tawny Port
From: Douro Valley, Portugal
What it’s like: Tawny refers to the colour and comes about from the wine having spent an extended time in a wooden barrel (10 years in this case). This results in an altogether different beast to the heavier vintage port – it’s lighter and worth sticking in the fridge for a while before serving as an aperitif with some nuts or at the end of a meal with some hard cheeses. It also does a fine job at matching up to the most difficult of foods for wine: chocolate.
Interestingly: Unlike vintage port tawny is released ready to drink so no need for a cellar.
From: £16.49, Majestic

Lusteau Pedro Ximenez San Emilio
From: Jerez, Spain
What it’s like: The colour and consistency of Castrol GTX, you practically need a spoon to drink this. Liquified raisins and soft brown sugar explode on the palate. Lusteau is at the forefront of sherry’s revival. Drink with chocolate puddings or pour over some vanilla ice cream; it’s not longer the preserve of little old ladies.
Interestingly: The concentration of this wine is as a result of the grapes being dried on mats after being harvested.
From: £14, Fields, Morris and Verdin – 0207 921 5300

2002 Coteaux de Layon
From: Domaine de Forges, Loire Valley, France
What it’s like: This is a beauty of a wine. It is sweet without being over-the-top and is thus a perfect way to finish a meal. Fresh tropical flavours such as pineapple abound, but its real asset is its wonderful acidity; this is key as it leaves your mouth feeling fresh and ready for another slurp; poor sweet wine feels heavy and cloying.
Interestingly: As well as trying this with fruity desserts, serve it with foie gras or any rich pate.
From: £8.99 (500ml), Waitrose