Haut-Charmes Sauternes

Haut-Charmes Sauternes is a fruit dessert wine from Esplanda, made in Massachusetts. The name borrows from the famous Bordeaux sweet-wine appellation, but this bottle is a New England fruit wine and should be judged on those terms. The listing doesn't name the fruit, the residual sugar, the alcohol level or the vintage. Expect what fruit dessert wines usually offer: pronounced fruit aromas, noticeable sweetness, a smooth, fairly rounded body, and little to no tannin. Acidity usually sets how fresh a sweet wine tastes, and a bright, tart edge keeps the sugar from feeling heavy. Oak is not typical for this style, so look for clean fruit rather than vanilla or toast. The finish is usually soft and fruit-led. Serve it well chilled, around 45 to 50°F (7 to 10°C), which is about two to three hours in the refrigerator or 30 minutes in an ice bucket. Cold temperatures keep the sweetness in check and the fruit lively. There's no need to decant, since a fruit wine like this has no sediment or tannin to soften. Pour small measures, about 2 to 3 ounces, into a white wine glass or a small dessert wine glass with a narrow rim. The narrow bowl concentrates the aroma and suits the smaller serving size. For pairings, sweet wines like this do well with salty or tangy foods. Try it with blue cheese, aged cheddar, or a creamy brie, or with foie gras or pâté on toast. Fruit tarts, almond cake, shortbread, and plain cheesecake also work, as long as the dessert is no sweeter than the wine. It can also serve as the dessert itself, with a few nuts alongside. Most fruit dessert wines are made to be enjoyed within a few years of release rather than cellared. Treat this as a drink-now bottle. Once opened, recork it and keep it in the refrigerator, where it should hold its character for several days.