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Callie Steffen Roth Kase Grand Cru Gruyere, Pleasant Ridge Upland Reserve, or Carr Valley Benedictine.
2011 Wollersheim Winery Port
2011 Wollersheim Winery Port, $25.99 for a 750ml bottle In production since 2001, this style of Port is closest to a ruby in terms of style. The winery again sources grapes from New York, this time utilizing the Maréchal Foch varietal. Heavier on the palate and less perfumed than the white port, this example brings plenty of molasses, raspberry kirsch, prune, and subtle chocolate nuances to the table. Try this one with Hook’s Paradise Blue or Sartori Sarvecchio.
$25.99 for a 750ml bottle
Finale
A Heavenly It’s the magical time of day when the sun is setting low over a gorgeous early summer day. Savoring the last few bites of a delicious evening meal, our palates yearn for something sweet. You know who you are—clean plate club member with a pleasantly full stomach who, instead of asking your server to bring the check, sheepishly asks to peek at the dessert menu. There is a small, yet undeniable part of our brains that craves something sugary to cap off a great dinner. But dessert doesn’t always have to be in the form of crème brulee or bread pudding. Dessert wines come in all shapes and sizes and most of them pair blissfully with the abundance of artisanal cheese Wisconsin has to offer.
as well as an ice wine and a brandy made from locally grown grapes? All of these seasonal creations are labors of love and not too be missed. They are the perfect substitute for traditional dessert and can significantly enhance an after-dinner cheese tray.
2012 Wollersheim Winery White Port 2012 Wollersheim Winery White
When most people think of dessert wines, Port instantly comes to mind. Do you know Wollersheim Winery produces three distinctive styles of Port, 44 | m a d i s o n o r i g i n a l s m a g a z i n e
$26.99 for a 750ml bottle
Port, $26.99 for a 750ml bottle Co-owner and winemaker Philippe Coquard sources Muscat grapes from New York for this Port. Traditionally drunk in southern France as an aperitif instead of a dessert wine, this is the lightest and most aromatic of the three Ports the winery puts out.1 Deep straw yellow in color with the classic spicy honeysuckle nose characteristic of the Muscat grape. Honeyed pear is married with white flower, grape must, and candied peach notes. It pairs nicely with
2009 Wollersheim Tawny Port
2009 Wollersheim Tawny Port, $48 for a 750ml bottle A small percentage of the (Ruby or Red) Port is set aside for four additional years of barrel aging in American oak barrels.2 This lengthy maturation process allows the dessert wine to develop not only interesting flavor components, but a richer texture. Mellow in style with cinnamon, burnt caramel, walnuts, and mocha elements. This bottling is extremely limited; your best bet for obtaining a bottle is to go to the winery directly. Sublime with Roelli’s Dunbarton Blue or Bleu Mont Dairy Bandaged Cheddar.
$48 for a 750ml bottle
2011 Wollersheim Ice Wine
2011 Wollersheim Ice Wine, $54.99 for a 375ml bottle The cold Wisconsin climate lends itself quite well to sweeter white varietals such as the St. Pepin grape used in this exquisite dessert wine. There’s a reason why ice wine has such a cult following—
$54.99 for a 375ml bottle