What type of wine is typically served with dessert?

Serving sweet wine with dessert is a well-established pairing in culinary practices, primarily because sweet wines complement the flavors and sweetness of many desserts. The residual sugar in sweet wines, such as Sauternes, Tokaji, or late harvest Riesling, enhances the dessert experience by providing a harmonious balance between the dish and the wine. This pairing creates a delightful progression of flavors on the palate, often enhancing the enjoyment of both the wine and the dessert.

In contrast, dry red wines, while enjoyable on their own or with certain savory dishes, typically lack the necessary sweetness to complement dessert flavors adequately. Similarly, although fortified wines like Port can work well with certain desserts, they are not exclusively categorized as sweet wines. Sparkling wines can sometimes be paired with desserts, particularly if they are sweet varieties like Moscato d'Asti, but their versatility often lends them to a broader range of pairings beyond just desserts.